Things You Should Know When Applying The Bituthene® System 4000

The Bituthene® System 4000 is an excellent waterproofing product for various indoor and outdoor uses. When applying the Bituthene® System 4000 waterproofing membrane roll and other products in the line, there are a few crucial steps to follow. 

Depending on where the target area is, different approaches are taken to treat it. Here are a few tips for the following regions. 

Wall Inside Corner and Plaza Deck

Option 1: Place the membrane on the wall and deck up to one inch (25 millimeters) from the corner. Install a 3/4-inch (20 mm) fillet of Bituthene® liquid membrane to treat the inside corner. Apply Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to the deck membrane and the wall membrane at a minimum thickness of 2 1/2 inches (65 mm).

Use Bituthene® Liquid Membrane, Bituthene® Mastic, or a termination bar to finish the top of the wall flashing.

Option 2: Place the membrane onto the deck up to 25 mm (1 inch) from the corner. Install a 3/4-inch (20 mm) fillet of Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to treat the inside corner.

Attach the membrane flashing sheet to the wall, covering the deck fillet and the membrane by 6 inches (150 mm). Use Bituthene® Liquid Membrane or Bituthene® Mastic in a 1 in. (25 mm) broad troweling over any terminations and seams that are less than 12 inches (300 mm) from a corner. Use Bituthene® Liquid Membrane, termination bars, or mastic to finish off the top of the wall flashing.

Corners in Planters, Fountains, and Reflecting Pools

Apply membrane to deck and wall surfaces up to one inch (25 mm) from corners. Install a 3/4-inch fillet of Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to treat the inside corner. Apply Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to the deck membrane and the wall membrane at a minimum thickness of 2 1/2 inches (65 mm).

Use a termination bar or Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to finish off the top of the wall membrane.

Apply a 12-inch (300 mm) sheet membrane strip that is centered on the corner from wall to wall. To ensure complete contact, press the membrane firmly into the corner. 

For outer corners, apply 12 inches (300 mm) of sheet membrane strip centered on the corner, covering the treated corner with a complete sheet of the membrane to provide 2-ply coverage. Completely enclose the treated corner with the membrane.

Joints

Use joint filler, water stop, and a sealant appropriately to properly seal all joints as needed. Note that bituthene® membranes are not meant to serve as the main joint seal. Allow sealants to finish curing completely. 

Use a sheet membrane strip that is 9 inches (230 mm) wide to pre-strip any slab and wall cracks that exceed 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) wide, as well as all construction and control joints.

Application on Horizontal Surfaces

In order for lapping to shed water, membranes need to be applied from the low point to the high point. All seams should be at least 2 inches apart (50 mm). Spread out each end lap. As soon as you can, roll the membrane completely and firmly. Use a linoleum roller or a regular garden roller loaded with water. Ensure that it is less than 30 inches (760 mm) broad and weighs at least 75 lbs (34 kg) when filled.

To enable the membrane to completely contact the prepared substrate, cover the roller’s face with a durable material, such as two wraps of indoor/outdoor carpet or a 1/2 inch (13 mm) thick plastic foam. Use Bituthene® Liquid Membrane to seal all T-joints and membrane terminations.

Drains and Protrusions

Place the membrane up to one inch (25 mm) from the protrusion’s base. Put Bituthene® Liquid Membrane around the protrusion at a thickness of 0.1 inches (2.5 mm). The Bituthene® Liquid Membrane should be applied up to just below the finishing height of the wearing course and extend above the membrane a minimum of 2 1/2 inches (65 mm) higher.

For more information on how to use the Bituthene® System 4000, feel free to reach out to the experts over at Metro Sealant!