PO Box 906, Modbury, SA, 5092www.yindiservices.com.au

Ph: 0449 018 079

WATERPROOFING - FOUNDATIONSSlab Seal SA Specialises in the Application of Slab Edge Waterproofing Membrane.

What is Efflorescence?Persistent moisture penetrating the slab often results in associated efflorescence (also known as Concrete Cancer) which is visible as a white-coloured, powdery substance around the foundation’s exposed edge.

Efflorescence is a sign that moisture is moving through the concrete carrying mineral-soluble salts to the surface. The water then evaporates leaving the white crystallised powder.

Clear sign of Efflorescence Clear sign of ingress internally

Forticon is a heavy duty plastic laid underneath concrete to prevent ground water re-entering and damaging the cured concrete. The most common problems associated with forticon is when it falls away, breaking apart from sun damage, or is cut away by tradies during the construction or the landscaping stages leaving the face of the foundation exposed to dirt and water which in-turn leads to moisture ingress and efflorescence.

The cost effective solution to this problem is to call the SLAB SEAL SA team at the time of, or soon after, the foundations have been poured to apply a membrane from the brick rebate down to the base and over the forticon ensuring a durable, guaranteed waterproofing solution. SLAB SEAL SA also provide a service to rectify and repair foundations that are showing signs deteriation due to efflorescence and moisture ingress. The SLAB SEAL SA team have been trained and qualified by the product’s maufacturer.

Corrosive mineral-salts attack resulting in:

• concrete weakening over time;

• corrosion of steel reinforcing;

• rotting of timbers, fibre cement, plasterboard, carpets, floor coverings;

• damage to the structural integrity;

• loss of bond on adjacent wall and floor tiles;

• delaminating of rendered surfaces;

• discolouration of concrete;

• watermarks on paint;

Minister Engineering Specification September 2009Clause 4.3 Vapour Barrier States:“A vapour barrier shall be placed beneath the floor slab, lapped 200mm, taped and made waterproof. Continue the vapour barrier up the outside of the external footings to the top of the paving.”

While all efforts are made for this to be maintained, it is very common for the Forticon to fail for various reasons, most commonly:1. The vapour barrier (ie Forticon) has perished in the sun2. Trades people destroy it3. Landscaper cuts it off or removes it

Figure 2:This photo demonstrates the slab edge after treatment. The Forticon is no longer required to reach the face of the slab as the membrane has now been applied.

Figure 1:This is a typical undertaking on almost every foundation. The Forticon has either been destroyed or cut short. This means when paths are laid the Forticon will not reach the top of the path to create the moisture barrier as per the Minister’s

Specification.

SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURES, RETAINER WALLS, AND PLANTERS

Subterranean structures such as backfilled walls, underground car parks, cellars, and work pits.

Permanent structured garden boxes, retainer walls, and water features.

FEAturES• withstand continuously wet and immersed

environments;

• dries without cracking with a very low shrinkage rate;

• is suitable for civil, commercial and residential buildings;

• is non toxic;

• possesses outstanding waterproofing and adhesive qualities;

• is resistant to frost, ageing and salt water;

• withstands UV light exposure;

• is extremely flexible and contains excellent crack bridging properties;

• allows the concrete to still breath;

• dries grey in colour;

• requires a single application only;

• can be backfilled against within 5 hours of application.

• 10 year product guarantee

SLAB SEAL’s products have been extensively tested and used both overseas and in Australia.

It has been tested to withstand wind, driving rain, numerous soil/mineral types, and water pressure to 100m. Suitable for slab edge, planter boxes, retaining walls, swimming pools, and subterranean structures.

SLAB SEAL SA offers waterproofing solutions for subterranean structures, retainer walls, large planter boxes, and water features.

Key design elements of our products include:

• Withstanding continuously wet and immersed environments

• Dries without cracking

• Is suitable for civil, commercial and residential buildings

• Is resistant to frost, ageing and salt water

• Withstands UV light exposure

• Requires a single application

SLAB SEAL SA ensures all of their products comply with Australian codes and standards and are vigorously tested. The SLAB SEAL SA team continuously research to ensure the most appropriate products, and their applications, are correct, efficient, and a cost effective option for the application required.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume 2 requires houses to be constructed to provide resistance to moisture rising from the ground.

The BCA also requires that a vapour barrier be installed beneath the slab that has a medium impact resistance. However, such barriers still leave the slab edge exposed.

ALERT! Safe Guard Your Investment and Your HealthProlonged exposure to various sources of moisture such as rain, garden water, contact with landscaping materials, paving and natural ground-soil causes dampness and moisture ingress on the slab edges.

This causes deterioration of the integrity of the slab, internal wall frames and finishes such as painted surfaces, timbers and floor coverings.