Proteus Waterproofing Ltd

The rise of apartment living has transformed our cities. While balconies, flat roofs and communal areas offer valuable outdoor space for residents, their upkeep presents unique challenges – which means that refurbishing these areas will often involve significant disruption and unpleasant odours, which in turn can impact residents’ lives, writes Justin Pitman, sales director for Proteus Waterproofing.

It is why the market for cold applied liquid waterproofing solutions continues to grow, offering a win-win situation for both building owners and residents and can be far more efficient than traditional waterproofing methods, which usually involve removing old waterproofing layers and applying new membranes. This process can be time-consuming and disruptive, often involving significant noise and dust pollution, impacting the comfort and health of residents.

To make things more challenging, balconies and walkways are often in confined spaces, making traditional waterproofing methods cumbersome and requiring restricted resident access, factors which highlight the need for innovative solutions that minimise disruption and prioritise tenant well-being.

It’s another reason why cold applied liquid waterproofing systems continue to offer a game-changing alternative to traditional waterproofing because they can be installed quickly, often within hours, minimising noise and dust compared to traditional methods.

Systems, like ours at Proteus, are virtually odour-free, eliminating unpleasant smells and creating a healthier environment for residents during and after installation and because cold applied liquids form a seamless, elastic membrane, ideal for complex roof details and penetrations found in modern buildings, this further reduces the risk of leaks and ensures long-term waterproofing performance.

Unlike traditional methods that require waiting for concrete to cure, some cold applied membranes such as our unique Proteus Cold Melt® system can also be installed over green concrete after just three days, allowing faster project completion and quicker handover to residents.

For building owners, the speed and efficiency of cold applied systems translate to significant cost savings. Faster installation times in turn, mean fewer labour hours required, leading to lower overall project costs.

Reduced disruption also allows residents to continue their daily lives with minimal interruption, lowering potential compensation claims or re-homing costs. Furthermore, quicker project completion allows for faster apartment handover and occupancy.

There is also a strong health and safety element. Liquid applied systems eliminate the need for open flames or hot equipment used in torch-on applications, significantly reducing fire risk during installation. Many cold applied systems, such as Cold Melt® also use recycled materials and are solvent-free, minimising their environmental impact.

Proteus Waterproofing is at the forefront of cold applied liquid waterproofing solutions, offering a range of high-quality products specifically designed for balconies, flat roofs and walkways in multi-unit dwellings. We also provide comprehensive technical support and training to ensure proper installation via our licensed contractor network.

While specific data for the UK market of cold applied liquid coatings is not readily available, we can see that there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact of construction materials, which is why products like ours are constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of performance and application.

New formulations are constantly emerging that offer even faster curing times, allowing for quicker project completion and handover. Research and development are also ongoing to create cold applied coatings with even greater resistance to harsh weather conditions and UV exposure, ensuring extended lifespan.

We would also expect to see in the near future, innovative coatings featuring self-healing properties, potentially reducing maintenance needs. Such advancements are expected to further solidify the position of cold applied liquid coatings as the preferred choice for waterproofing projects in the UK.

It really is a case of watch this space and to stay informed about the latest advancements in cold applied liquid coatings. The market is changing so rapidly that almost anything is possible – and as it happens – we at Proteus Waterproofing will be there.