Have you ever walked past a home with discolored concrete in the driveway? It’s lighter here and darker there, creating a blotchy effect that you know couldn’t have been intentional. Looking at the chaotic design, you can’t help but wonder what went wrong,… and how you can avoid making a similar mistake with your own concrete projects in the future. Concrete discoloration is not a rare event Laying concrete isn’t an exact science, and there are a variety of factors that can contribute to concrete discoloration from the very beginning. These factors include: Variability in concrete mixtures The use of…
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Product Application
What Contractors Are Discovering About Our HRM 714 Waterproofing System Coverage
We’ve been fielding a lot of online chat queries lately about HRM 714, so we thought it was a good time to blog about it. If you’re unfamiliar, HRM 714 is our hot-applied, rubberized asphalt waterproofing membrane. We innovate our products to add muscle to your structures’ protection, and HRM 714 is no exception. (See our University of Arizona HRM 714 Case Study.) HRM 714 is Ideal for These Projects: Waterproofing Bridges Parking Lots Plazas Promenade Decks Tunnels Pedestrian Concourses, and Projects Benefiting from Monolithic Waterproofing Membrane The question we’ve been asked the most lately is about how much coverage…
Properly Install Bentonite Clay Waterproofing Membrane with Animation Tutorial
Bentonite clay waterproofing membrane offers positive puncture protection under hydrostatic conditions with its self-sealing capabilities. CLAY-TITE bentonite clay waterproofing membrane by W. R. MEADOWS also has an additional layer consisting of virgin, 20-mil HDPE which provides further waterproofing security. CLAY-TITE membrane may be safely installed against shotcrete due to its tough polypropylene fabric. Successful waterproofing protection takes place when a quality product is installed properly. Available to help aid in installing CLAY-TITE correctly, we now offer an animated installation tutorial that features instructions that visually demonstrate step-by-step directions to make sure CLAY-TITE performs most effectively. This video may also be…
MEL-ROL and Application Guidelines
What is MEL-ROL? MEL-ROL is a waterproofing membrane that provides a cost-effective answer to provide moisture protection in all below grade applications in residential and commercial construction. MEL-ROL waterproofing system is a flexible, versatile, dependable, bituminous, roll-type waterproofing membrane. It is composed of a nominally 56 mil thick layer of polymeric waterproofing membrane on a heavy-duty, four-mil thick, cross-laminated polyethylene carrier film. It is equally effective for use as between-the-slab waterproofing on plaza decks, parking decks, and structural slabs. Use it as a waterproofing membrane to isolate mechanical and electronic rooms, laboratories, kitchens, and bathrooms. MEL-ROL offers positive protection when…
PRECON and How to Apply it Horizontally
What is PRECON PRECON is a composite sheet membrane comprised of a non-woven fabric, elastomeric membrane that is used for waterproofing vertically and horizontally. The plasmatic core is a seven-layer matrix designed for toughness and provides the lowest water vapor transmission (WVT) rating on the market. Once concrete is poured against PRECON and the concrete cures, a mechanical bond forms that secures the concrete to the membrane. Uses PRECON is used as a blindside membrane in vertical applications where access to the positive side is limited. The membrane can also be used for horizontal applications for underslab/blindside waterproofing and vaporproofing.…
AIR-SHIELD SMP and Product Application
AIR-SHIELD SMP INTRODUCTION AIR-SHIELD SMP is our brand-new product in our line of air shields. AIR-SHIELD SMP is a tough, durable membrane that exhibits excellent resistance to air leakage and liquid water intrusion, while at the same time allow vapor to readily pass through to allow the wall assembly to dry. This product is perfect to fit your above grade waterproofing needs. USES AIR-SHIELD SMP may be applied to most common surfaces and integrated into various wall assemblies. AIR-SHIELD SMP is suitable for both new construction and retrofit applications and works equally well as an air barrier on precast…
Learn the Proper Spraying Application for SEALMASTIC EMULSION
Overview SEALMASTIC emulsion-type dampproofing coatings are ideal for reducing dampness and moisture infiltration through foundation walls, parapets, firewalls, tanks, culverts, cisterns, and bridge abutments. They are also applicable for stonebacking, above-grade cavity wall applications, and below-grade masonry wall dampproofing. The SEALMASTIC product line also helps to minimize internal structural damage from mildew and mold, and is compatible with ICF foam forms. Three Types of SEALMASTIC SEALMASTIC TYPE I (spray-grade) is an asphalt-based, nonfibered, clay emulsion. Under normal use, it resists flow or sag. Its greater resistance to water is ideal where spray application is desired. SEALMASTIC TYPE II (brush-on/spray-grade) is…
W. R. MEADOWS Introduces AIR-SHIELD SMP
New from W. R. MEADOWS comes AIR-SHIELD SMP sheet membrane vapor permeable air/liquid moisture barrier. It is a self-adhesive membrane that is designed to be fully bonded to the substrate without the use of a primer, saving time and money by removing this additional step. AIR-SHIELD SMP also offers a vapor-permeable sheet membrane option to complete W. R. MEADOWS offering of above-grade products to the air barriers line. AIR-SHIELD SMP is tough, durable, and exhibits excellent resistance to air leakage and liquid intrusion. AIR-SHIELD SMP installation guidelines are available online to provide information regarding the recommended procedures for proper installation.…
Required Reading: W. R. Meadows Waterproofing Handbook
Our waterproofing handbook is a great resource for contractors looking for application information on the wide line of waterproofing materials available from W. R. Meadows. This detailed, informational handbook has been recently updated and includes the most up-to-date information on such popular concrete waterproofing products as Mel-Rol, Precon, and Hydralastic 836. The waterproofing handbook covers our entire waterproofing line, and is complete with product descriptions, architectural CAD details, and application instructions. It’s a great tool for contractors as well as architects to see how W. R. Meadows products fit into everyday and unique application situations. The waterproofing handbook, along with…
Choose Perminator EVOH to Effectively Block Vapor and Gas
Our PERMINATOR EVOH is a fantastic solution for underslab installations where blocking harmful gases in the soil is vitally important to the overall performance of the structure. Introduced in 2017, PERMINATOR EVOH has been used throughout North America in many successful projects where a gas barrier is needed. PERMINATOR EVOH is a seven-layer co-extruded barrier manufactured from state-of-the-art polyethylene and EVOH resin and is specifically designed for brownfield sites. PERMINATOR EVOH provides superior resistance to gas and moisture transmission. PERMINATOR EVOH is a highly resilient underslab barrier designed to restrict gases, such as gasoline, solvents, oils, and hydrocarbons from migrating…
How to properly install a underslab / blindside waterproofing / vaporproofing membrane
While choosing the correct waterproofing/vaporproofing membrane is important to achieve a successful barrier in any underslab or blindside application, proper installation is imperative to avoid costly and time-consuming repairs if failures occur. W. R. MEADOWS recommends using PRECON pre-applied underslab/blindside waterproofing membrane for vertical and horizontal applications when access to the positive side of the concrete is restricted. Prior to applying PRECON, proper surface preparation is necessary to ensure the surface is structurally sound and all objects are removed that may cause damage to the membrane. Use of MEL-DRAIN is recommended to be used with PRECON to assure proper site…
Winter is Coming, but PRECON can Handle it
Labor Day marks the end of summer and colder weather is just around the corner, but don’t let the changing of the seasons inhibit construction plans. PRECON underslab membrane offers a tough blindside waterproofing solution and is able to prevent moisture infiltration and reduce methane and radon gas invasion even in low temperatures. PRECON’s seven-layer matrix designed to mechanically bond to concrete once it cures can be installed in temperatures down to 40°F (5°C). PRECON LOW TEMP is recommended for environments where the temperature is between 60° F (16° C) and 25° F (-4° C). To assist with effective installation,…
Our Hawkesbury District & General Hospital (HGH) case study is now available!
Our Hawkesbury District & General Hospital (HGH) case study describes the problem and solution when the new additions to the structure were designed and built. This case study is a great way to learn more about how W. R. Meadows products were used to waterproof this large project. When the Hawkesbury District & General Hospital (HGH) decided to build two large additions to its community hospital in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada, construction officials knew there was a big problem to solve. Below ground level was a substrate composed of solid rock with gravel on top. That meant there was no place…
Learn more about installing our AIR-SHIELD LSR!
At W. R. MEADOWS, providing education content for the proper application and maintenance of our products is of considerable importance. Housed on our website are dozens of guidelines and bulletins intended to help our customers install our products correctly and with ease. These items are a great tool to help learn about the proper application and maintenance of our wide line of products. We’ve recently updated our Exterior Sheathing Panels Installation Guidelines for AIR-SHIELD LSR. This guideline provides information regarding the recommended treatment of joints in exterior sheathing panels (drywall and glass-faced) when using AIR-SHIELD LSR. AIR-SHIELD LSR (liquid synthetic…
Read our new Airbus case study!
The first-ever Airbus manufacturing facility in the U.S. was waterproofed using products from W. R. Meadows. We’re proud of this fact and our newest case study relays the facts in this unique application. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the fact that the site of this project, Mobile, Alabama, is the rainiest city in the U.S. Obviously, high quality waterproofing materials were needed to ensure that moisture did not intrude the structure and the architect and contractor team decided upon our Precon, Perminator, and Mel-Drain products. As the September 2015 grand opening of the Airbus plant – which…
Hot-Weather Guideline: Repair Mortars and Non-Shrink Grouts
As hot weather hits, constructors need to adapt to the hot-weather conditions that my impact the installation of construction materials. Many materials act differently in hot weather as to cold, and certain precautions and steps should be taken to ensure a successful installation. At W. R. Meadows, many of our products are impacted by climatic conditions and concrete repair products, in particular, must be applied carefully in the summer months. To make this process easier, and to help educate and inform our clients, we’ve developed a number of installation guidelines to help make installations error-free. Our hot-weather guideline for our…
Check out our new AIR-SHIELD LMP animation!
We’re proud to offer a new installation animation for our AIR-SHIELD LMP air barrier! This installation animation shows the proper application of the product with the use of our AIR-SHIELD LIQUID FLASHING for rough openings, such as windows. AIR-SHIELD LMP is a water-based air/liquid moisture barrier that cures to form a tough, seamless, elastomeric membrane. AIR-SHIELD LMP exhibits excellent resistance to air leakage. When properly applied as a drainage plane, AIR-SHIELD LMP prohibits liquid water intrusion into the substrate. AIR-SHIELD LIQUID FLASHING is a high-quality, gun grade, low-odor, elastomeric, polyether, liquid-applied flashing and detailing membrane. It bonds to most construction…
Go Inside and Out, Above and Below with Hydralastic 836
HYDRALASTIC 836 is a unique cold-applied, solvent-free, single-component waterproofing compound that not only completes waterproofing jobs inside and out on interior and exterior concrete surfaces, but also can be used in both above and below-grade applications. HYDRALASTIC 836 is excellent for horizontal and vertical applications, such as waterproofing plaza decks, planter boxes, and sealing parapets and is ideal for positive-side waterproofing for foundations, as well as inbetween-slab and vertical applications. It bonds to both concrete and asphalt, skins over in 30 minutes with no dust pick-up, and can be applied on green concrete. No mixing is required, it will not…
New AIR-SHIELD Installation Guidelines Available
The AIR-SHIELD line of air barriers continues to lead the industry in protecting the building envelope from the intrusion of air and moisture. Used throughout the world, our line includes sheet membranes, fluid-applied membranes, and all-weather material. To help our customers with the installation of the product in specific applications, we’ve created installation guideline documents that will educate those involved in the installation of the products. Our two newest guidelines are now available – Plywood Sheathing Joint Detail Installation Guidelines and Rough Openings Installation Guidelines. You will also find our other existing guidelines as well as links to our CAD…
Updated Waterproofing Brochure Now Available
W. R. Meadows is known for our wide array of building envelope materials, including our full line of waterproofing materials. These material include our Mel-Rol sheet waterproofing membrane, Mel-Rol LM fluid-applied waterproofing membrane, and Mel-Rol LM (All Season) all-weather, fluid waterproofing membrane. Recent entries into the line include BEM and Hydralastic 836. As you can see, we have a multitude of products to meet every waterproofing need. To help our customers keep track of all our waterproofing materials, we offer our new, updated waterproofing brochure. This brochure has recently been updated and features the most current information on our entire…
Take Our New Course at Hanley Wood University
We’re proud to partner with our friends at Hanley Wood University to offer an online continuing education course. The online course earns continuing education from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), but is also a great way for contractors to learn more about current construction practices. The course offered is Concrete Basics: Curing and Sealing. The course feature slides, voiceovers, and detailed information about this subject. At the end of the course, there is a short quiz to take. For architects, you will receive continuing education learning units from AIA. This is a fast and easy way to earn and learn!…
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Plant – LIQUI-HARD Application
View hi-resolution photos and video for the Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Plant in Kecskemet, Hungary, featuring LIQUI-HARD and ULTRITE DEGREASER. Project: Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Plant Location: Kecskemet, Hungary Contractor: Hiros ASA Salesperson: Mark Vogel Product: LIQUI-HARD Scope: 1.8 million square feet Photos: Video of LIQUI-HARD Application: