Universal Paint and Chemical Industries - Chemipaint, one of the leading manufacturers of coating and waterproofing materials, has launched a new-generation of waterproofing products that are designed to protect buildings in the region from water seeping into the structure.

Known as Roof Shield, it is a new material that is the first of its kind in the market and was developed following 20 years of scientific research, according to E Wolf, a German engineer who recently joined the Abu Dhabi-based company as a waterproofing consultant.

“Buildings in the Gulf region, particularly the high-rises with underground parking, need to be protected from aggressive water passage and corrosion,” says Wolf. “Considering the fact that the region is characterised by its harsh environmental conditions and aggressive groundwater, buildings do suffer.”

Hence, an effective waterproofing system is vital to ensure the integrity of structures in the region, he says.

The Chemipaint plant

Wolf continues: “There are a number of waterproofing materials in the market such as bituminous membranes, PVC and HDPE. Our material is based on a specially modified acrylic polymer, unlike other waterproofing products that come as sheets or in liquid form.”

Range of benefits

The company’s waterproofing, he says, offers a range of benefits including seamless membrane. Since it is special liquid waterproofing, it can be applied to any shape and does not need angle fillers grooves or clamping rails with sealants. The system is suitable for various application areas – starting from low-risk areas such as vertical surfaces and passing by the medium risk areas such as roofing and high-risk areas such as building basements. Roof Shield protects from the main causes of waterproofing failure, according to Wolf.

He elaborates:  “The water proofing system normally fails due to choice of improper ingredients, poor execution, improper installation of the system and storage of the material without protection.

“Our system could reinforce with special non-woven polyester to increase puncture resistance when required, not like other conventional systems that cannot work without auxiliary reinforcement. Moreover Roof Shield specialises in its extraordinary elongation which exceeds 400 per cent.

Safe and eco-friendly

Safety is achieved through ensuring adequate thickness. For example, vertical surfaces, which are not trafficked and where you do not have water loads, require a thinner layer that is watertight. For horizontal surfaces and basement areas, one has to take precautions as they are trafficked and exposed to stresses caused by construction work soon after application.  “We increase the thickness and the grade of puncture protection layers depending on the requirements. Thickness ranges from 0.3 mm up to 2 mm for roofs and up to 4 mm for basements,” says Wolf.

“Another major advantage of Roof Shield is that even if there is a puncture, water may penetrate but it cannot travel as the system is fully bonded to the surface unlike with other products where water can travel long distances. Roof Shield bonds to all known surfaces, providing safe integration of penetrations into the waterproofing system. And in case of damage, repair work easily can be executed even in areas with limited access, as Chemipaint Waterproofing System does not need preparation, welding or testing. Just apply the liquid waterproofing (Roof-Shield) which will be bonding homogeneously with the damaged material of the repair area.

“Roof Shield is also an eco-friendly product;  from production onwards and during  time of use – if I would say ‘life time’ it would not be correct as there is no aging – no change of  physical or chemical characteristics occurs; it is UV- resistant, does not generate emission or poisonous gases during installation or later; it also does not pollute groundwater or plants unlike bituminous products for example on green roofs or planters. The material is recyclable.”

Commenting on Chemipaint’s production and services, Wolf says:  “We do not just produce materials we also ensure they are applied properly and expediently. We aren’t selling merely waterproofing material, we provide the client with the required solution. We do not work with applicators and have our own 120-strong trained workforce.”

The company’s plans for the current year include launching natural paints and a new range of products offering waterproofing with thermal insulation.