Lunch and Learn: Understanding the basics of concrete and crystalline waterproofing

AIAri Windows on Architecture, 158 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903

Understanding the basics of concrete and crystalline waterproofing:
•    Composition
•    Durability
•    Degradation
•    Dampproofing vs waterproofing
•    History of
•    Benefits
How crystalline waterproofing can improve facilities image and occupant’s well-being while reducing maintenance costs
How crystalline waterproofing can contribute to LEED points
Review completed projects where crystalline technology was used to restore historical properties, reduce moisture transfer through concrete, and eliminate interior air quality issues.

Presenter:   William D. (Bill) Armitage, Watertite Sales-Owner, Punta Gorda, FL.

Watertite Sales is a master sales representative for Foxfire Enterprises, Inc. As a master sales representative, the company has sales representation east of the Mississippi as well as Canada. In addition to Foxfire, Watertite represents Miracote and their cementitious overlays in the Florida market.
Background

Most of my career was spent in the roofing industry, primarily the commercial side. I started my career as a sales trainee for a large building manufacturer right out of college. My experience in sales, marketing, and management gave me a great education. After 10 years with a manufacturer, I moved on to the distribution side of the roofing business, I decided after 5 years with a distributor, to start my own distributor/representative company.

I owned several companies, gathering leadership and sales awards along the way. I had the privilege of sitting on both Carlisle, and Firestone’s advisory councils. A chance meeting 8 years ago with George Kubala owner of Foxfire Enterprises, Inc. changed my pathway from roofing to concrete. Foxfire produces crystalline products to densify and seal concrete. Since the majority of the concrete waterproofing market was membrane oriented, the challenge was to get the specifier to recognize non-membrane sealers as a legitimate method of waterproofing masonry surfaces. The challenges have been great since their a few if any testing criterion for non-membrane type products, plus we rely on word of mouth advertising.

Offering
What I offer is a clear understanding of what concrete is, why it works, and why it fails. I discuss the alternative to membrane type waterproofing, that of integral waterproofing. Integral waterproofing is over 70 year’s old, used worldwide. From its early days of a sodium silicate to advances in the lithium market, chemically treating to waterproof can be used as a standalone process or a “belt and suspender” type application. The advantages of a non-membrane forming product are enormous considering that concrete must breathe to sustain itself.

 RSVP Emma Migneault- emma.migneault@gmail.com