What is the difference between water based and solvent based liquid waterproof coating products?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION:

What is the difference between water based and solvent based liquid waterproof coating products?

ANSWER:

Consider the two liquid waterproofing products in the EABASSOC range:

TPU Liquid Membrane is solvent based and RBE : Rubber Bitumen Emulsion is water based.

Advantages of Water-Based Coatings

1. No solvent fumes (no bad smell, no breathing hazard and no special need for ventilation);

2. Non toxic. Personal physical contact is not harmful;

3. During application, splashes can be cleaned off easily with water (no need for special cleaning agents);

4. Equipment can be cleaned with water (no need for special solvent cleaner);

5. Water-based coatings do not damage plastics or bitumen;

6. Water-based coatings can be applied to both dry and damp surfaces. This is a major advantage in situations where rain has fallen, or wet soil has been removed to expose a foundation that needs to be treated. In such circumstances the water-based coatings will take longer to dry, but the water in the surface will merge with the water in the coating and evaporate with it. In the case of a solvent-based coating, the surface must be dry in order for an application to be made.

Disadvantages of Water-Based Coatings

1. It may be physically washed off if rain falls onto a freshly painted water-based coating;

2. It is susceptible to frost damage when wet. Must be protected from frost during transport and storage.

Advantages of Solvent-Based Coatings

1. They produce almost immediate waterproofing protection after application, even before they have dried. Hence rain after application is not a big problem (however, rain before application is a much worse problem because they cannot be applied onto damp surfaces);

2. They are not damaged by freezing temperatures (which is why they are so popular in Europe, especially during winter);

3. They often give better surface penetration and hence better adhesion to porous surfaces;

Disadvantages of Solvent-Based Coatings

1. Some solvent-based products can be harmful to health (but see Footnote);

2. They give off solvent fumes and hence require good ventilation;

3. Most are flammable (also see Footnote);

4. They can attack plastics and bitumen;

5. Applicators will require special protective clothing and special hand cleaner to remove splashes;

6. Special solvents are needed to clean equipment after use;

7. Solvent-based products cannot be applied onto damp surfaces. They are incompatible with such surfaces, which must be allowed to dry fully (including all trapped moisture must be given time to rise and evaporate) before application commences.

Footnote: Please note that TPU Liquid Membrane is a little different from the usual solvent-based products. It uses a special solvent with a high flash point which means that it is classed as non-flammable. Also, the level of potentially harmful components in the product is below the level which would be categorised as "harmful".

Please note that any information enclosed in this section is supplied in good faith and that while we make every effort to ensure that it is accurate, helpful and up to date, it is given without commitment or guarantee.

Please remember that orders have to be above our minimum size quantity.

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