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Frequently Asked Questions

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Home Stretch Membrane is designed and recommended for typical below-grade waterproofing over a variety of approved substrates, but the sheet membrane waterproofing system can be continued on above-grade walls on a very limited basis.

The approval criteria for continuing the Home Stretch Membrane sheet waterproofing system from below grade to top of above-grade wall(s) include the following:

The approved above-grade wall substrate shall be only Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), not concrete or traditional framing with sheathing.
The 30-day UV exposure limit on Home Stretch Membrane must be strictly followed. For an extended UV exposure limit up to 24 months, the UV2-40 (Formerly Aluma Flash Plus) sheet air barrier system is available for your review and consideration.

The Polyguard below-grade waterproofing systems require a vertical concrete substrate (i.e. foundation wall) to have a maximum moisture content of 10%, and a horizontal concrete substrate (i.e. footer) to have a maximum moisture content of 5%.

This requirement is to ensure proper adhesion/bond, while also preventing the Polyguard Stretch Flex (fluid-applied) membrane from developing surface blisters due to sunlight heating the substrate wall and/or footer and cause latent moisture to move within the concrete.

Although the actual installed coverage rate varies by user application, the theoretical installed coverage rate is 1200 - 1400 sq. ft./canister.

Polyguard recommends the typical spacing for the Totalflow Drainboard Accessory Tee / End Outlet to be every (20) feet. However, accurate location and spacing shall be properly determined by an engineering evaluation of the site conditions, and by the amount of water determined by the groundwater table and the amount of annual rainfall.

Yes, with the use of a primer to improve adhesion, an application of a paint finish over the Blue Barrier system is permissible. However, Blue Barrier products are designed to be covered by a cladding material. Even though it is possible to cover the Blue Barrier system with a “weatherable” finish like paint, the Blue Barrier system installation will not be a warrantable condition because the erosion of the paint finish over time will also degrade the Blue Barrier system due to its limited UV-exposure limit

We have two application options approved for stucco veneers:

Use conventional wire lath (reinforcing mesh) with the stucco veneer. Mechanically fasten the lath through the cured Polyguard Blue Barrier fluid-applied air barrier membrane, whether the 2300 Liquid Wrap or the 2400 Flash “N Wrap, and the substrate sheathing beneath. This will allow the reinforcing mesh to be self-supported. Maintain the air- and water-tight seal, thereby the air barrier performance, by applying and tooling a minimum 30 mils of Blue Barrier Gap Filler over each mesh fastener head penetrating through the cured Blue Barrier fluid-applied air barrier membrane. With the lath installed and self-supported, the stucco basecoat (and finish coat) must be completed within (12) months of the Blue Barrier fluid-applied air barrier membrane application.
Broadcast silica sand into the wet Blue Barrier fluid-applied air barrier membrane, whether the 2300 Liquid Wrap or the 2400 Flash ‘N Wrap membrane, to the point of refusal to accept anymore silica sand. Once the Blue Barrier fluid-applied membrane is cured, apply Lambert Corporation’s 932 Link, a water-based bonding agent, onto the Blue Barrier membrane. Also, add the 932 Link into the stucco basecoat using a 1:3 mixing ratio. Allow the stucco basecoat to cure a minimum two (2) days before applying the stucco finish coat.

How do you recommend I waterproof it with your products?

ICF wall construction will need to be waterproofed using the Poly Wall ‘Home Stretch Membrane for ICF’ sheet waterproofing system. Do not use the ‘Home Stretch Liquid’ waterproofing system because it will attack / eat the ICF wall substrate!

Would I need to prime all surfaces?

Yes, the Poly Wall ‘Home Stretch WB Liquid Adhesive’ is the primer accessory product safe for the ‘Home Stretch Membrane for ICF’ sheet waterproofing system. Prime all surfaces and membrane laps to ensure a proper adhesive bond to the ICF substrate surface. Do not use the ‘Polybond Clear Liquid Adhesive’ primer accessory product, which is reserved only for concrete substrate wall surfaces. A level of caution here, as the Polybond Clear Liquid Adhesive primer will attack/eat the ICF wall substrate!!

Would peel and stick work on horizontal surfaces?

No, do not apply Poly Wall sheet or fluid-applied waterproofing systems onto horizontal (floor) surfaces. They are designed for vertical (wall) applications only, and are not recommended for horizontal (floor) surfaces.

Polyguard has the following suggestions for selecting sealants and caulks compatible with Polyguard’s asphalt-based flashing and tape products: Polyurethane Sealant and Caulking: Two-part polyurethanes are acceptable to be used under the WindowSeal® asphalt flashing tape, as long as they are fully cured according to manufacturer’s recommendations and specification. Single-component urethanes are generally moisture cure; and, when covered by an asphalt flashing tape, will not cure. Both single- and two-part polyurethanes can be used on top of the WindowSeal® tape without affecting the integrity of the flashing tape. Polysulfide Sealant and Caulking: They are not compatible with WindowSeal®; even the residue can cause severe damage to the integrity of the WindowSeal® asphalt component. Butyl Sealants: Are acceptable as long as they are fully cured according to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. All solvent must be evaporated completely. Butyl sealants can be used on top of the membrane. Silicone Sealants and Caulking: Silicone can be used on top of the WindowSeal® flashing without affecting the integrity of the tape; however, a pull test is suggested to ensure adhesion to the WindowSeal® polyethylene film. Silicone under the flashing tape may only allow moderate adhesion for WindowSeal®. A test patch is recommended prior to the WindowSeal® installation over silicone.

You should budget an application rate of 375-750 S/F per hour and lean toward the upper end of that range if you have an experienced and skilled applicator at the end of the line.

The Rot Shield Joist Tape is manufactured to be installed on new deck framing construction, exclusively. Rot Shield Joist Tape is not recommended for applications over older (i.e. weathered) framing lumber being re-used in a remodel project.

The Polyguard Stretch Flex system can be extended 12”-18” above grade onto clean, dry, bare substrate; as a tie-in material for an above-grade air barrier membrane or coating material; but the Polyguard waterproofing system then requires complete coverage above grade for proper performance. Polyguard does not wish to respond to the compatibility or adhesion of another manufacturer’s material/coating over Polyguard products on the basis the customer shall always take the recommendation directly from the material manufacturer because of the warranty. This speaks to an industry standard that any overlay material is the responsibility of the overlay material manufacturer to assume the liability / risk under the warranty terms. Therefore, Polyguard does not wish to provide a response to another manufacturer’s material compatibility, adhesion, installation, and/or performance over a Polyguard system.

If the intention is to reuse the collected water to drink or for irrigating crops/plants, then the answer would have to be no. Under these uses, you would need to find a fluid-applied waterproofing product that is safe for 'potable water.' The chemicals in our solvent-based waterproofing membrane, called Home Stretch Liquid, negate the use for storing/saving water.

Yes, the Polyflow 10 Drainboard may be used independently, without the Totalfow drainboard.

The Blue Barrier Liquid Wrap air barrier membrane is a designed and recommended as a single-coat application for proper performance.

The Polyguard Residential Polyflow 10 Drainboard material is made of polystyrene plastic core with a non-woven polypropylene filter mesh, which can be cut to size using a utility scissor, or the material can be lined (scored) with a standard box-cutting knife and then snapped to size. It is important to note that 3” of the non-woven polypropylene filter mesh will need to remain when cutting the polystyrene plastic core in order for the mesh to properly cover the exposed top of the core and be secured to the back side of the core prior to backfill. An alternative is to cut the drainboard to size, then use 6” wide non-woven polypropylene filter mesh pieces to cover the top of the core at grade level and fold down the mesh onto both sides of the drainboard material to protect the core during backfill.

All Blue Barrier Products utilize our Silyl Terminated Polyether Technology (STPE). These are hybrid sealants that combine the benefits of silicone and polyurethane technologies. By combining these chemistries, we achieve the best features of both, resulting in highly effective sealants. These sealants are low in VOCs, moisture-cured, and have a UV exposure rating of up to 9 months. The main differences in the product lines are their viscosity and intended applications:

Blue Barrier Gap Filler (BB GF): This product has the highest viscosity and is the thickest. BB GF contains fillers that make it a durable and tough adhesive, suitable for filling substrate voids, bonding dissimilar material joints, and serving as a membrane lap and termination sealant.
Blue Barrier Liquid Flash (BB LF): This product has medium viscosity and thickness, making BB LF trowelable in a gun and spread application. BB LF is commonly used for sealing window and door openings.
Blue Barrier Liquid Wrap (BB LW): This product has the lowest viscosity and is the thinnest. BB LW can be applied with an airless sprayer or power roller, making it ideal for large-scale field applications and a superior alternative to traditional house wraps.

650 LT primer will not work with ICF. However, you can use the 650 WB prime as it is water, not solvent based, for the application. It will have a greater coverage rate and not damage the foam

A drain mat is not required. However, Polyflow is recommended as part of the waterproofing system; it not only increases drainage away from the waterproofing membrane and the structure but also protects the waterproofing during the construction process and backfilling.

The Blue Barrier Liquid Flash is mostly used to seal Windows and doors. The Blue Barrier Gap Filler is much thicker and more durable, and it can be used to seal voids and as a sealant for terminating.

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