Car parks are prone to water stains, oil stains, concrete spalling, and more. These failures stem from critical mistakes in car park coating and waterproofing specification. Poor material selection, inadequate system design, or improper application create expensive problems that compound over time.
Read on to identify the costly errors that plague car park projects and learn how to avoid them.
Contents
- 1 Mistake 1: Treating Waterproofing as an Afterthought
- 2 Mistake 2: Ignoring Substrate Movement and Thermal Cycling
- 3 Mistake 3: Underestimating Chemical Exposure Requirements
- 4 Mistake 4: Poor Surface Preparation and Application Standards
- 5 Mistake 5: Selecting Systems Based on Initial Cost Alone
- 6 Mistake 6: Inadequate Drainage Integration
- 7 Mistake 7: Ignoring Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
- 8 Sunanda Global’s Proven Car Park Solutions
- 9 Why Sunanda Global’s Solutions Stand Out
Mistake 1: Treating Waterproofing as an Afterthought
Many projects specify car park waterproofing during final design phases. This limits system selection and integration opportunities. It is a backward approach, forcing compromised solutions that address symptoms rather than root causes.
The Solution: Integrate car park waterproofing into early design phases. Coordinate with structural engineers to specify appropriate concrete mixes, surface preparations, or other details that support your chosen waterproofing system.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Substrate Movement and Thermal Cycling
Car park structures experience movement from vehicular movement, thermal expansion and loads. Traditional epoxy and cementitious systems cannot accommodate structural movement without cracking. These cracks become pathways for water, oil, and chemicals that cause rapid deterioration.
The Solution: Specify flexible systems that accommodate expected structural movement. Polyurea and polyurethane waterproofing systems maintain integrity while flexing with substrate movement and thermal cycling.
Know 5 reasons why PU concrete flooring is the primary flooring option in airports. From providing lasting performance under heavy loads to ensuring airport safety compliance, PU concrete flooring is an excellent choice.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Chemical Exposure Requirements
Car parks face exposure to automotive fluids, oils, cleaning chemicals, and other aggressive substances. Generic coating systems fail when exposed to these chemicals, leading to rapid degradation and substrate damage.
The Solution: Evaluate expected chemical exposure and specify car park coating systems with appropriate resistance.
Mistake 4: Poor Surface Preparation and Application Standards
Inadequate concrete curing, surface contamination, moisture issues, and improper primer application create adhesion failures that compromise entire systems. Plus, poor workmanship during application creates weak points that lead to system-wide failure.
The Solution: Establish detailed surface preparation specifications and quality control procedures. Require contractor certification for specialized systems and implement staged inspections during application.
Mistake 5: Selecting Systems Based on Initial Cost Alone
Value engineering often targets car park coating and waterproofing systems because their benefits appear less obvious than structural elements. This short-sighted approach creates expensive long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
The Solution: Evaluate life-cycle costs including maintenance, repairs, and replacement over the expected building life. Factor in disruption costs from maintenance activities and potential liability issues from system failures.
Mistake 6: Inadequate Drainage Integration
Inadequate slopes and blocked drains create water ponding. This standing water increases hydrostatic pressure and finds any weakness in the waterproofing system.
The Solution: Design adequate drainage slopes and integrate drainage details with waterproofing specifications. Ensure proper coordination between civil and waterproofing contractors during installation.
Mistake 7: Ignoring Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
Car park coating and waterproofing systems require periodic maintenance and inspection to maintain performance. Property managers often lack knowledge about proper maintenance requirements for specialized systems.
The Solution: Provide detailed maintenance manuals and establish regular inspection schedules. Train facility management staff to identify early warning signs that require professional attention.
Sunanda Global’s Proven Car Park Solutions
FLEXITOP POLYUREA Series: Fast-curing polyurea systems that accommodate structural movement while providing superior waterproofing performance. These solutions cure rapidly to minimize construction delays. They also provide long-term flexibility under thermal cycling.
SUNCRETE PU Series: Polyurethane concrete systems combining waterproofing capabilities with exceptional durability. Polyurethane coating systems handle heavy traffic loads while maintaining waterproof integrity and chemical resistance.
Another excellent car park coating system is epoxy flooring. Check out our blog to get insights on the top 5 reasons epoxy flooring stands out for car parking floors. This blog also compares epoxy coatings to other popular flooring choices to help property owners make informed decisions.
Why Sunanda Global’s Solutions Stand Out
With 45+ years of industry experience, Sunanda Global provides high-quality coatings for commercial/industrial needs. We hold the unique ISO 9001:2015 certification among Indian construction chemical manufacturers.
As the best waterproofing company, Sunanda Global actively invests 5% of its annual revenue into Research and Development and directs 60% of our R&D efforts toward developing LEED-compliant products and ecologically sustainable solutions. We offer complete solutions, from technical guidance to trained application partners.
Partner with Sunanda Global today for reliable, long-lasting solutions that cater to your industrial needs.
