850 vs. vapor barrier

Layer 3
Geotextile fabric for protection & mechanical bond to concrete slab

Layer 2
Self-healing sealant layer

Layer 1
20 mil geomembrane

	UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane for Critical Projects
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Why Specify UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane
Over a Heavy Duty Vapor Barrier?

If you already specify a thicker vapor barrier, you have taken a big step towards improved underslab moisture protection. Also importantly, you have recognized that much of what is called the Indoor Air Quality Problem can originate underneath the slab and outside of the foundation walls.

Now there is a new level of underslab protection, far beyond a vapor barrier, and available for environmentally sensitive projects. UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane is a three layer composite, made by combining a geomembrane, a sealant, and a geotextile fabric.

Before viewing this page, we recommend that you see the "Why Most Vapor Barriers Fail" presentation.

It's Polyguard's UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane.

Product Construction

Layer 3 ---

High strength nonwoven geotextile

Layer 2 ---

Thick elastomeric sealant barrier layer

Layer 1 ---

20 mil Geomembrane

Layer 1 - The Geomembrane:

UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane STARTS with a geomembrane - a 20 mil thickness one, thicker than any vapor barrier on the market.

Layer 2 - The double thickness elastomeric sealant layer:

On top of the geomembrane is a double thickness of sealant.

The sealant converts geomembrane into a full blown waterproofing system, with properties exceeding that of Polyguard's 650 waterproofing membrane, used for commercial building worldwide since 1970.

link to waterproofing history: www.polyguardproducts.com

The formulation has been modified and tested as a seal against:

1.	Formosan Termites	http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/TAMUtermitereport.pdf
	ICC-ES Legacy Report #2136	http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/architectural/datasheets/ICC-ESreport2136.pdf
2.	Pesticides	http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/TAMUpesticides.pdf
3.	Radioactive Radon Gas	http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/radon_testing.htm
4.	Methane	http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/perm_testing.htm

Also, the sealant is a permanent seal, proven in use by 34 years of research and use. Polyguard underseal membranes have been used by state Departments of Transportation to reduce cracking and to provide a permanent seal which is resistant to joint movement and pavement failure:

In research reported by the Pennsylvania, Georgia, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, and other DOTs the stress absorbing properties of Polyguard underseal have reduced the amount and severity of cracking in pavement above the underseal.

http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/undersealresearch.pdf

In research reported by Pennsylvania, New York, and Mississippi DOT's, Polyguard underseal has maintained a permanent seal even after the pavement has cracked or the joint has moved above the underseal.

http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/ResearchList.htm

One more advantage of this elastomeric sealant layer; it is self-healing. This means that, if small punctures occur in the underseal, the barrier sealant will flow back together.

http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/850XT_self-healing_test.pdf

Layer 3 - High Strength Geotextile Fabric:

The top fabric layer performs several functions:

The fabric layer resists construction traffic:
By far the biggest reason for vapor barrier failure is damage by construction traffic. Polyguard's highway underseal guide specifications say that the material "may be exposed to traffic for up to two weeks". This means highway traffic. The Nevada DOT published a study reporting that Polyguard underseal had been exposed to over 1 million vehicles on US 395 "without undue wear and tear".

http://www.polyguardproducts.com/products/Underseal/research/NevadaDOT.pdf

The fabric layer forms a bond underneath the concrete slab:
When the slab is poured, a mechanical bond is formed between the fibers in the UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane and the concrete.

Summary:

Compared to a simple vapor barrier, Polyguard's UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane protected geomembrane has the following advantages:

1. The thickness of the geomembrane exceeds even the best vapor barriers.
2. The sealant layer creates a complete waterproofing membrane.
3. Tested as a seal against termites, pesticides, radioactive radon gas, and methane.
4. Reduces the amount and severity of cracks in the slab above.
5. Proven to maintain a permanent seal, even after cracks occur in the slab, or joints in the slab shift.
6. The sealant layer has self healing properties. Click here to view test results.
7. Extreme durability to construction traffic.
8. Forms a mechanical bond to the concrete slab.
9. The puncture resistance of the UNDERSEAL™ Underslab Waterproofing Geomembrane Protected Geomembrane tests out at 316 lbs. (143,000 grams), exceeding class A vapor barrier requirements by 6500%. Click here to view puncture resistance test.

View Complete Underseal Research List

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As of 9/1/2003, Polyguard Products' quality system has been certified to American, Dutch, and German quality systems requirements:
- American Natl. Standards Institute
- Dutch Council for Certification
- Deutscher Akkreditierungs Rat