In large commercial structures, moisture filled air migrates into the environment from the outside climate. The moisture can migrate far enough into the assembly that it can be cooled down to a dew point, at which time the water vapor turns to liquid water. This liquid water corrodes metal in the building assembly, as well as degrading the structural integrity. The Mar-flex Air Barrier 1200 system is designed to stop air infiltration and exfiltration in the building envelope while allowing the transmission of water vapor preventing condensation in the wall assembly. Check out our selection of vapor barriers and air barriers today!
Twip of the Day – Regarding Shower Vapor Barriers
A shower vapor barrier provides you with an extra layer of protection against internal and external damage from water, leaks, condensation, mold and mildew. A shower vapor barrier keeps the sub wall (the wall behind tiling in your bathroom) from being damaged by the effects of water, soap, and other chemicals. When properly installed, the shower vapor barrier will save you money on repairs, and will prove as important as any shower curtain or bath towel.
Twip of the Day – Prevent Wall Leaks
There are a few steps you can take to prevent basement wall leaks. Wall leaks happen because workmanship might have been bad, cracks in wall or floors appeared while your home settled, or water pressure from the outside might have built up, forcing itself through the walls. First, make sure to repair any holes or cracks in the building, and use a waterproofing compound to ensure your wall is leak proof. To prevent leaks that occur due to water pressure, make sure to have professional plumbing done. If you find water pressure is building up, use a weep pipe to divert the force of water. Once that is done, check for cracks. Use mortar to patch up these cracks. Once the repairs are complete, you need to waterproof the wall with a good water-proof mix. Waterproofing is the most common and effective solution to fix these basement wall leaks.
Offering the Safety Equipment You Need
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products offers innovative and quality products which provide the industry with a green waterproofing solution. Did you know Mar-flex also offers essential safety equipment for the building professional as well? Mar-flex offers everything you need to keep safe on the next job including coveralls, PVC gloves, respirators, breakaway knives and more. Browse our selection today for quality safety equipment that is held to the same standard of reliability, versatility, and durability that Mar-flex is known for.
Twip of the Day – Drying Wet Carpet
Whether its due to flooding, burst pipes, or sump pump overflow, you’ve now discovered your basement carpet is soaking wet. So what do you do now? Carpet that has become wet must be dried within 48 hours, or mold will begin to grow. The first thing you must do is assess the damage. Determine exactly where your basement is damp, as well as check to make sure mold hasn’t already begun growing on your carpet. Its always a good idea to seek help from neighbors, friends, or family when taking on a job that will be much more than you can take on alone. The next step you should take is to remove any furniture from saturated parts of your basement. If you have items that have been damaged by water, get rid of them. Another option for the more important items would be to have them professionally cleaned to remove any chance of mold and mildew. Next, get rid of as much water as possible. Soak it up with sponges, rags, or a ShopVac vacuum. Pull up any areas of carpeting that have been soaked or wet. Make sure to also pull up the padding if it is wet. Move your carpet to an area where it can get plenty of air, such as outside. Once the carpeting and padding have completely dried, lay them on the floor. Once the carpets are in place again, clean them with a carpet cleaning machine. Finally, sprinkle some baking soda on areas of the carpet where an odor is present. Let the soda sit for a while then vacuum it up. For the easiest possible cleanup, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol. They are experts at mold remediation and water cleanup. DryPatrol works with your insurance company to ensure the lowest rates and the quickest possible repairs.
New Mar-flex Distributors Portal
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products utilizes distributors and distribution networks all across the United States. To find the closest location to purchase Mar-flex products, we’ve uploaded a new distributor page. This page allows you to type your zip code in and find the nearest Mar-flex Certified Distributor.
Twip of the Day – Basement Ceiling Mold
Mold looks for damp and dark places to grow, so a common place to find mold is on your basement ceiling. The key to preventing this mold from growing is to maintain a dry basement. If you suspect that you have mold you need to find anything that could be causing moisture in your basement. Be sure to check through your carpeting and all basement walls. If you have basement windows that you can open, you should open them to increase basement air circulation. If you don’t have windows, using a fan, air conditioner, or dehumidifier will help dry the area out. Also, make sure to insulate any pipes that run across your basement ceiling to prevent condensation. This leads to mold as well. If you find your mold problem is out of control, Mar-flex recommends DryPatrol. They are the most affordable, and most reliable local experts in mold remediation.
Drainage Board Systems
Mar-flex Waterproofing and Building Products has made it easier than ever to choose the right drainage board solution for your next job with the new Drainage Board Systems. Mar-flex offers several superior drainage boards, with up to 3 thicknesses and insulation ratings, to fit varying sand, clay and rocky soil conditions. Each of the Mar-flex drainage boards are designed to channel water to the footer drain tile, protect waterproofing membranes during backfill operations, and divert water from grade to the footer drainage system. The flagship board, ShockWave is one of the most effective boards in the entire industry. ShockWave can soak up 101.11 gallons per hour per lineal foot of groundwater to eliminate the possibility of hydrostatic pressure. It has an incredible compressive strength of 283.72 psi. ShockWave is also manufactured from 100% recycled materials, making it one of the only Green drainage boards. Another popular drainage board is the Ecose Drain & Dry. These boards are made with Ecose Technology, which converts bio-based materials into an inert polymer that bonds mineral strands together, eliminating the formaldehyde and phenols found in traditional binders and insulations. The Geo-Mat and Geo-Mat Plus drainage rolls are made of high density polyethylene which offers strong resistance to hydrostatic pressure and excellent drainage solutions. These rolls feature dimples which rapidly channel water from the grade to the footer system. Geo-Mat is also a green product, made from 100% recycled materials. Mar-flex offers a lineup of membranes to compliment these drainage boards for a complete system approach to waterproofing. Check out our selection today!
Twip of the Day – Drainage Standards
Sump pump drainage systems are part of the larger sump pump mechanism, which prevents floods and water buildup inside your home. Here a few guidelines about proper sump pump drainage systems. Although it may seem convenient to have your sump pump drain the water through a basement floor drain, it causes damage to one or more systems within your home. If your home is an area where water drains directly into a public sewer system, its likely illegal that you drain sump water into the sewer. Check with any local building authorities before connecting these lines. Make sure to drain the sump water a good distance from your home. Draining sump water too close can cause unsanitary conditions that lead to bacteria growth and other health risks. Accounting for this, make sure the drainage point for the sump pump is at least 20 feet away from any part of your home. Also, sump pumps have screens that collect large pieces of material and which may become clogged. Make sure to periodically clean these components of the pump to help keep your drainage system working efficiently and cleanly. Following these steps will help assure a long life for your pump and subsequently a clean and dry basement.
Brick Waterproofing – Easy But Necessary
When building brick structures its important to apply a brick sealant and waterproof. This is because, over time, bricks stain and wear down. This wear and tear damages bricks and allows insects and weeds into the structure. Applying a protective coating to bricks prevents dirt and stains from penetrating into the paver, making it easier to clean in the future. A sealant also helps to seal in the joint stabilization sand, helping keep hazardous items from entering into your basement. Mar-flex offers an easy brick sealer solution in the form of SurfiSeal Brick Sealer.