From roof waterproofing services and protective floor coatings to leaking balconies, walkway repairs and boat restorations, London Waterproofing Specialists offer a long-term solution for all major water penetration problems.

London Waterproofing Specialists are experts in all aspects of waterproofing, and their trusted technicians are the best in the business. With decades of experience as approved applicators of Prokol products, the company has the knowledge and skills required to complete even the most complicated large-scale projects.

All work is carried out to the same exacting standards and rigorous compliance criteria to ensure a durable solution that lasts the operational lifetime of your application — putting an end to costly repeat maintenance. Through extensive understanding of Prokol systems and application techniques, they can work with you to advise on the best option for your project and deliver exceptional results. 

5 reasons to choose a polyurea coating

Polyurea is a coating of choice for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications because it has many advantages over its alternatives. The alternatives also have some of these advantages but polyurea has them all in one coating. These include:.

1. Waterproof and corrosion protection: Polyurea coatings have moisture insensitivity/resistance. They have low permeability and are also resilient to water, providing corrosion protection. Consequently, they are also used as tank linings.

2. 100% solids: With a 1:1 volume ratio, the need for extra coats is eliminated, and the lack of solvents means it’s also VOC free and environmentally friendly.

3. High resistance: A polyurea coating provides chemical, abrasion, and UV resistance, as well as being able to withstand extreme temperature changes.

4. Fast set and fast return to service: A curing time of seconds or minutes means there is an almost immediate return-to-service time, and downtime is many times less than with another paint.

5. Strength and flexibility: Polyurea has a high polymeric elongation meaning that it stretches as well as resists punctures and tears. Additionally, this unique elongation ensures constant thermal joint movement.

How polyurea coating compares to other coatings

Why would you choose polyurea coating instead of a more traditional coating like epoxy? While other coatings have their own benefits, polyurea outperforms them in certain areas.

Polyurea vs Polyurethane:

Though these coatings are related (both isocyanate-based), they have many differences. When being applied, polyurethane based coatings are sensitive to temperature and moisture, where polyurea is not. Polyurea is elastic and can stretch, but polyurethane cannot. It also has a higher tensile strength.

Polyurea vs Epoxy:

Epoxies are sensitive to temperature, humidity and moisture during application, with longer cure times than polyurea. Epoxy coatings are not flexible with the expansion of a substrate, and UV radiation will cause it to discolour, unlike polyurea.

Polyurea vs Cementitious:

Unsurprisingly, cementitious coatings provide little give, and have far longer setting times than polyurea. All cementitious coatings have long setting and curing times.

In short, choose a polyurea coating when you require a very fast turn around in application, as well as when the application environment is moisture-laden, humid, below freezing, or hot. Providing an unmatched operational temperature range of +110°C to -40°C, Polyurea is also preferable when you need a coating that can flex with the expansion of a substrate, or want a super hard-wearing level of abrasion resistance. Fully hydrophobic and fully moisture and chemical resistant, Polyurea coatings may be specified with a smooth or anti-slip finish.

What Does Polyurea Mean?

This is polymer material that is used to make coating and lining substances. Polyurea is the pillar of most coating and lining products that provide resistance against corrosion and abrasion. It is normally used in corrosion prevention due to its remarkably fast setting time period, resistance to atmospheric or surrounding attack, high elongation and durability. It is used in coatings that provide corrosion prevention in fields like construction, automotive and manufacturing or processing industries.

What are the Unique Features of Polyurea?

There is no coating system that can successfully replace polyurea in all respects, due to its unique physical properties and durability. However, its surface preparation requirements are very stringent.

Polyurea protects wooden, concrete and steel surfaces and structures from abrasion and corrosion damage. It can help preserve a deteriorating concrete structure and help repair and keep canals intact. It resists scratches, chemicals, oils and salts in commercial and industrial floor applications. It can also preserve boats and other vessels by providing protection from cracking and deterioration.

Advantages of polyurea coatings include:

• Very fast setting (curing time typically 5 to 10 seconds).
  
• Excellent abrasion and scratch resistance.
  
• Very stable resistance to weather and environmental conditions.
  
• Very beneficial elongation characteristics.
  
• Can be applied in variable temperature conditions, even in high humidity.
  
• Stable heat resistance up to 130°C (266°F) and short-term rating of 220°C (430°F).
  
• Coating thickness can be finely controlled.
  
• Very effective bonding on correctly prepared surfaces of wood, cement, concrete and metals.
  
• Excellent chemical resistance.
  
• Feasibility of low viscosity, thus enabling mixing and spraying at desired temperatures.
  
• Can be formulated for a very high tensile strength up to 4350 psi.

50 Year Warranty

The reliability of the proven polyurea hot spray application system is unrivalled which is why we offer a comprehensive 50 Year Warranty. It’s important to remember that most warehouse raw concrete floors have a two to eight year lifespan depending on the volume and scale of traffic within the site. So most concrete floors will need to be completely replaced up to five times in the same life as our warranty and, in reality, the polyurea application often lasts longer than 50 years.

What are the Limitations and Critical Issues for Polyurea Coatings?

Polyurea coatings do have some limitations and special considerations.

Because the coating is highly reactive and quick-curing, setting of the coating without adequate wetting out time can cause poor adhesion to the substrate. Formulators must ensure complete wetting out of the surface before the coating sets. It is a tricky situation.

Aromatic polyurea coatings may react to UV radiation, resulting in colour changes and chalking. The aesthetics are negatively affected by UV radiation. For those applications that require visual appeal, an aliphatic polyurea must be used.

Hot spray applications require specialized and sophisticated spray equipment that are able to generate high pressures and high temperatures. Technicians must be specifically trained for this task.

www.londonwaterproofingspecialists.co.uk