Ever since the introduction of high-performance concrete protection coating in the 80s and 90s, the industry has accepted the order of operations as the following:
By questioning the industry’s status-quo, Bluey has redefined the entire concrete protection process. The idea of protecting concrete prior to placement reduces the previous order of operations to just 2 steps.
We’ve been out on sites to talk to Australia’s concrete protection contractors to find out what grinds their gears about the old epoxy protection process and what mistakes show up along the way. See below.
“Sometimes the guys on site will mess up the ratios of materials so we have to remove the coating and start over to get it right.”
BluSeal AKS is manufactured in a factory process with highest level quality controls. This means that there’s no on-site mixing of materials required, with the end result being the same every time.
“After the concrete has been placed and cured, we have to wait a minimum of 28 days before applying the specified epoxy coating. This obviously slows the project completion time and costs a lot of money.”
As BluSeal AKS is applied to the formwork before the concrete is poured, there are no time delays on site.
“Although we spray the epoxy consistently there’s sometimes pinholes which can end up ruining the consistency of the coating. We’ve had to go back and repair some pinholes that the client has noticed.”
BluSeal AKS is pinhole and defect free, meaning no defects or Client call-backs.
“When the new guys spray, they struggle to control the thickness. So, some of the lining will be as thick as a tyre and other parts could be as thin as paper.”
As BluSeal AKS is manufactured and inspected before shipping. Every panel of BluSeal AKS has the same set thickness of lining before it hits any site.
“Sometimes after we’ve sprayed, we come across a live crack, (slowly grows and moves). This sometimes means all of the work will need to replaced.”
BluSeal AKS can stretch up to 700% from its original dimensions. Therefore, if a live crack opened up behind it, BluSeal AKS would still form a strong, watertight seal.
“Sometimes we find that groundwater causes delamination between the epoxy and the concrete.”
As BluSeal AKS can marginally separate from the concrete lining when groundwater is present to allow water to travel between the BluSeal AKS and the concrete to remove the negative water pressure. No matter the inflow of groundwater, BluSeal AKS remains sound and still protects the concrete from internal chemicals.
“Usually the epoxy is sprayed in a dark and humid workspace, which can delay the setting time and bond strength.”
BluSeal AKS is applied to the formwork before the concrete is placed. AKS doesn’t rely on the concrete surface for bond as it has 1200 anchors per square metre which can all take up to 70kg of load. Bond is never a problem for AKS.
“On rare occasions, the vapour from the concrete (vapour transmission) will delaminate the bond between the epoxy and the concrete.”
BluSeal AKS has been designed to allow for vapour transmission. Delamination will not occur using BluSeal AKS.
If you or someone you know is coming across issues like these while using epoxy resin on concrete protection projects, feel free to call 1300 0 BLUEY. We will happily chat to you about the best practises in the industry, international standards requirements and recommendations for any concrete repair project.