Stop Your Jobs From Freezing!

In winter the setting rate of screeds, concrete, cement tile adhesives and levelling compounds slows down.  So does the drying rate of paints, coatings and waterproofing membranes. Planning with trades can help manage the job site through the cold months.  Wet-seal Franchisees have practical tips to stop your jobs from freezing; plan for cold and talk to your trades, extend scheduling times, use tarps to keep out dew, use tarps on decks and balconies, increase air flow and heat indoor rooms.

Tarping out dew and rain
Dew falls early in cold weather reducing the working hours for application of coatings outside.  Dew forming on the surface of a coating means that the coating can no longer dry out. Wet-seal Franchisees recommended putting up tarps over decks and balconies as a simple way to create a covered space where the Wet-seal Franchisees can continue to get the work done, even when it is raining!

Scheduling for the cold
Plan for concrete, cement and coatings to take longer to dry and set than is listed on the technical data sheets (TDS).  TDS specify the expected dry time for ambient conditions found in the laboratory being 23˚C and 50% relative humidity (RH).  In winter (colder temperatures) or on rainy days (high RH) you should allow for extended dry times between trades.  Wet-seal™ Waterproofing Systems are tile ready at 48 hours at ambient conditions of 23˚C and 50% RH.

Heating
Liquid applied waterproofing including acrylic, latex and cement membranes and epoxies are typically specified on the TDS to be applied between 10˚C to 30˚C.  Wet-seal™ Enviro-coat membranes can be applied between 5˚C and 30˚C.  Temperatures below these ranges can be managed by heating.  It is important to check the substrate temperature too, as this is often colder than the ambient temperature.  Freezing temperatures need to be avoided as they can cause efflorescence in concrete, or paints and membranes to crack.  Heaters can be used to warm a room and substrate to within range before application.

Get the air moving
In cold weather, water tends to sit for longer periods. Using fans over a membrane creates a dry layer of air that helps to move water out so membranes can dry. It is important to use cold air fans because heated air fans can skin the surface and trap moisture in the membrane. There are many industrial fans and air movers available and are good to have on site.

Tarped off balcony being heated with a space heater before waterproofing.

Wet-seal™ Enviro-coat Deck system drying on a tarped off balcony.

Wet-seal™ have almost 40 years’ experience in waterproofing across Australia and in New Zealand.  Wet-seal™ Franchisees have practical recommendations that will assist your build to continue smoothly through the cold.  Get in touch with your local Wet-seal Franchisee by clicking on the following link to find out how to get the job done in the most efficient way this winter – Find Your Local Franchisee

Or for further information regarding winter drying times, please contact Wet-seal’s Technical Team on 1800 025 081 or via email at technical@wet-seal.com.au