January 2021 | Nano-G

Everything You Need to Know about PU Injections to Solve Your Leakage Problem

The differences between this drill, pump, seal method and Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing.

Hairline cracks in concrete are usually the main causes of water leakage problems at home and in commercial buildings.

One common waterproofing technique used is the PU injection (a.k.a Polyurethane Injection), a conventional hacking method. Contractors using PU Injections usually drill a hole into the problem area, where the PU is then pumped into the hole. The chemical composition in the injection is then triggered to expand and fill up the walls or ceiling, blindly covering the whole area in hopes of filling in these hairline cracks.

Think of it like this: PU is made of the same spongy material found in chair cushions. The chemicals used in PU injections are broken up into two separate solutions to be mixed together before pouring the material into a pump machine. Then, it is pumped into the ceiling as the PU begins to react and expand.

Websites and social media like to advertise this method misleadingly- with claims that their in-house method requires no hacking, is fast-drying and has a clean operation throughout!

X company is advertising a promise for a toxic-free, hack-free, and fast PU Injection service. But our experience as waterproofing experts tells us that X might be stretching the truth!

Here’s a quick comparison of conventional PU Injection methods and Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing. However, when looking into common practices done by most contractors- their claims just don’t match.

pu injection and waterproofing comparison

1. No hacking required, but DRILLING is required!

Despite not being a hacking method, PU Injections still require holes or scrapes to be made to the wall or ceiling. Drilling creates as much, if not more, noise and fine dust than hammering and hacking. Just for your understanding, the first thing a contractor learns when working on PU Injections is how to drill a hole into the affected area. More specifically, it’s to learn how to drill in a 45° angled hole through the suspected crack area to be filled in with PU later on.

We should also mention that the method in question we’re talking about isn’t the PU materials you can get in your local DIY shop. The chemicals used in this process have to be handled using heavy duty machines that mix up the chemicals before filling up the hole, where it should expand into.

Nano-G strongly believes that hacking methods should only be used as the last resort by any home or business owner for their premises. That’s why Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing is done without the need for any hacking or drilling! Instead, we developed our solution to be able to seep into the thinnest of hairline cracks on any surface, filling up and protecting the layer from any further damage.

2. It can take a long time to complete the repair.

The thing about the PU Injection method is that it is a long process of drilling, grouting, sealing and cleaning. Add in some unforeseen issues and the entire process will take some time and patching up to complete. After the drilling, the contractor will use a high-pressure injection grouting machine that injects the polyurethane into the hole. This is when you will notice the excessive polyurethane dripping downwards from the hole.

If there are no more leaks, the contractor will proceed to clean up and properly seal the injected area. Our previous clients remarked that the spilled and solidified polyurethane were left there for up to 2 WEEKS before they were properly removed and cleaned up. In between the 2 weeks period, they noticed a recurring wet spot, resulting in them having to drill and inject the problem area again. Unfortunately, the wet spot can be a result of heavy rains or poor workmanship. If you’re unlucky a poorly done PU Injection can lead to a recurring water leakage that lasts for MONTHS even after repeated patching.

As a home or business owner, you need to ask yourself: Do I really want my ceilings looking like this?

Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing solution, however, does not require any drilling and only takes about 24-48 hours to complete. This includes the work area preparation stage, application of the solutions, drying time and cleaning up.

3. Polyurethane is a known respiratory toxin.

Homeowners have to take note that Polyurethane is a petroleum-based method that can release harmful gas into the air as it is being applied. In fact, exposure to fumes from wet Polyurethane is known to provoke asthma and cause other issues to the throat, eyes, and skin and is definitely not safe around young children.

Four of the harmful chemicals found in PU Injections.

Instead of creating a health hazard for our clients, Nano-G ensures that our work materials are safe for your home, office, or business. This is because our nanotechnology waterproofing solution is a non-toxic material that doesn’t emit strong-smelling and hazardous chemicals. Therefore, you can still be present during our operation to have a look at what we do!

Take a look at what Nano-G’s previous clients have to say about our on-site services, here!

4. It’s messy, dirty and needs a thorough cleaning.

Not only will you be dealing with the harmful fumes, drilling noises, and unsightly drying times, you will also have to deal with the possibility that there will be stains that you can’t clean! PU Injections tend to leave marks on the walls or ceilings that are quite noticeable when you first walk into the room. Imagine after all the hassle you had to go through when dealing with the process and you’re left with specks of paint all over your furniture!

Our clients remarked that the PU Injection method left their premises in a mess, and later had an issue where they were not able to match the ceiling paint of their home! Therefore , we recommend for homeowners to be present as the application is being done and be firm on cleanliness once on-site application is done.

Nano-G’s experts are disciplined when enforcing a special on-site SOP that keeps your premises always clean and tidy, while not causing too much noise when applying our nanotechnology waterproofing solution. This includes cleaning the work area before and after the operation, as well as a final inspection from our supervisor. If your water leakage problems aren’t fixed from our workmanship, our solutions come with a money-back guarantee! If you’re not satisfied, we’re not satisfied.

5. PU Injections are a bad idea for plaster ceilings.

In homes with plaster ceilings, homeowners should take note that your contractor will have to cut a hole into the plaster ceiling that is big enough for them to reach the concrete ceiling hidden above.

PU Injection are a bad idea for plaster ceilings

The whole process creates a lot of dust and debris, as well as a wide and long hole in the ceiling. What’s worse, most contractors will only patch up the area they had drilled or hacked open. In older homes, this issue is even more of an eyesore as the plaster around the crack must have already aged into a cream colour, making it very obvious that rectification work has been made.

With Nano-G, our solution doesn’t require us to cut a hole into your ceiling. We’d also like to mention that we were able to solve numerous water leakage issues that conventional waterproofing methods like the PU Injection couldn’t solve. Many of our clients have remarked that both our Nano-G Nanotechnology Waterproofing and on-site SOP were the hassle-free, hack-free, non-toxic and effective solution they have been looking for.

Have a look at what Mr Edward had to say about Nano-G’s onsite service in his testimonial!

After engaging with Nano-G’s services, I realised Nano-G’s staff were very fast and also very professional and did not disturb the mother’s and their babies’ rest. I am quite satisfied with Nano-G’s service. I give them a thumbs up.”
Mr Edward, Woyo Confinement Center

Still looking for the right solution to your water leakage problem?

Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing solution is the satisfaction guaranteed solution you’ve been looking for to solve your water leakage issues in a hack-free, non-toxic and dust-free manner. Nano-G’s Waterproofing Experts are trained to follow a disciplined on-site SOP that keeps your premises clean and tidy, before, during, and after our rectification work. This is because our solution only needs our experts to lay down our water-based nanotechnology solution on your floor to waterproof them, and should be done within 24-48 hours!

Don’t wait too long to get your water leakage problem fixed! Rectify the issue before it causes further damages to your home! If you’re still unsure about why Nano-G is a better choice for your floors, drop us a message to find out what we can do to help you fix your water leakage problems!

Need help with your water leakage problems? We’re the experts for you, message us on these platforms:

Facebook m.me/nanogmalaysia
WhatsApp nanog.wasap.my
Or give our hotline a call at 1800-18-6266

Editor’s Note 14/4/21: This article was originally published on 21/1/21 and have since undergone minor changes to more clearly present our advice to homeowners.

Everything You Need To Know About Epoxy Flakes And ‘No-Hacking’ Anti-slip Solutions

When researching for the right long-lasting anti-slip floor coating, you may come across service providers that promise a toxic-free, hack-free, or even quick-drying Epoxy Floor Coating solution.

With our own experiences as homeowners and industry experts, we feel that it is our duty to point out what might not be the best anti-slip solution for home or business owners. Below is a side-by-side comparison chart that compares Epoxy Flakes Coating techniques to Nano-G Anti-slip Floor Coating solutions.

Nano-G Anti-Slip Floor Coating Vs Epoxy Flake Coating

Nano-G’s completion time might vary according to the surface area our solution has to cover. Smaller, less humid areas are able to dry within 24 hours after project completion, but larger outdoor areas might take 48 hours or more. Please discuss with the supervisor on the day of your appointment to get a more accurate estimation of when your anti-slip floor coating will be completely dry to use.

What is Epoxy Flake Coating?

Epoxy Flake Coating is an anti-slip method that spreads a layer of Epoxy chemicals on the floor before adding coloured flakes on top as a way to create texture and patterns. These Epoxy chemicals include a resin material and a hardener that has to be blow-torched to fuse and create a new surface. While it may be a popular search item that pops up whenever you Google anti-slip solutions, there are some things you need to know when considering Epoxy-based solutions.

Epoxy Flake Coating, a coating method commonly used in public toilets or industrial places.

1. Epoxy Flake Coating preparation stage can get very noisy!

As part of the preparation stage, your service provider might choose a grinding method to apply their flake coating. This means the on-site technician will sand your tiled floors with a machine in order to make a rough surface. This is because there is a specific profile that lets epoxy to properly bind and stay on the floor.

Epoxy Flake Coatings need a specific type of surface in order to help the material to stick onto it.

That being said, this grinding process is incredibly damaging to your tiles, especially if you had installed very expensive high-quality bathroom tiles. There is no turning back once you use this method. Grinding will create scratches on the surface, effectively ruining the original quality of your tiles.

2. Epoxy Flake Coatings will change the overall appearance of your floor.

The way this anti-slip treatment works is by creating a hard, thick layer on top of your existing floors. To avoid a weird clear-watery look, some service providers have taken to adding coloured flakes to their epoxy mixture to give their treatments more texture or design work. Whether or not the finished design would look the way as advertised is up to the skill level and experience of the contractor working on your floors.

This anti-slip method will drastically change the way your tilework looks, replacing it with a different design all together. Also, take note that the grout lines of your tiles will show through your new epoxy flakes coating surface.

However, Nano-G’s Anti-Slip Floor Coating is able to maintain the appearance of your tiles while still providing the slip-proof properties you need for your toilets, bathrooms, or kitchen areas. This is because our experts need only to apply a transparent micro-grain texture on your tiles that doesn’t get slippery- even when wet or soapy! The best thing about Nano-G’s Anti-Slip Floor Coating is that it doesn’t cause any changes to your original tile work, unlike Epoxy Flakes coating.

3. Wet Epoxy emits strong and harmful fumes into the room.

The Epoxy Flake Coating process requires the binding of chemicals in high temperatures to form a thick and hard layer on your floor. Due to the nature of the way this treatment is done, it’s best for homeowners to not be near the work area. The person laying down the Epoxy materials also has to be mindful about keeping the room properly ventilated and for themselves to be in proper protective wear to prevent these fumes from causing damage to their lungs.

Back in 2018, a 71 year old man was found unconscious from inhaling too much Epoxy fumes while painting Epoxy on the top basement floor. The worker was then sent to the emergency department where doctors found traces of Epoxy fumes on his breath.

On the contrary, Nano-G’s Anti-Slip Floor Coating solution doesn’t emit harmful or toxic smells while it’s being applied. Therefore, you and your family may still be present in the home as we carry on our work.

Nano-G has received several reports from ex-workers of epoxy companies that reveal despite using gloves and enforcing the use of protective gear, their hands become swollen after a long day's work with epoxy flakes coating materials. Many of these workers decide to come to Nano-G as they noticed our solution is eco-friendly and non-toxic. That means that even if the solution would get onto their skin, it wouldn't have as drastic of a reaction as epoxy materials have.

4. Wet Epoxy has a really long drying time.

On top of these unpleasant harmful fumes, your home will be exposed to, you will have to bear in mind that the solution takes really long to dry. In fact, the longest amount of time you might have to wait for your Epoxy to dry completely can take more than 7 days, sometimes even go up to 30 days!

Imagine after your contractor has finished applying the Epoxy Flakes coating and you’re STILL unable to use the bathroom. It is extremely inconvenient for homes with elderly and pregnant women! You could close off your toilet for a few days and set up a ventilation fan to keep the fumes out… but it’s not that simple. Your family will still be exposed to harmful chemicals for a good few days. This is especially risky for those suffering from asthma.

With Nano-G, we ensure our experts conduct their work in a professional manner that respects your time and keeps things safe for you. As our non-toxic solution doesn’t involve the fusing of strong chemicals, we only need less than 24 hours to properly prepare and cover a 15 sq ft toilet or bathroom. Your well-being while we provide our service is our top priority.

5. Epoxy doesn’t breathe and traps moisture below its surface. Your new Epoxy floors may… peel!

If the air is too humid during application time, moisture will get absorbed into the wet Epoxy or get trapped under the coating layer, causing cracks to form on its surface once it is fully dried. The surface wouldn’t look as good once it is peeled or bubbling. Nano-G, however, is a transparent water-based coating that wouldn’t change the appearance of your floors. Therefore, our solution peeling off or being an eyesore will not happen.

When applying the Epoxy coating, a contractor has to take extra care that the floor has no water droplets or residues beforehand. This is a little more complicated when treating concrete, the material you find between (a.k.a the grouts) and underneath (a.k.a. the concrete slab) your tile work, as they tend to absorb moisture. Usually, an extra measure you would be recommended to take is to not wet the floor whenever you’re using the toilet a few days before the on-site work. Still, it will take quite some time before the water to fully evaporate and it is best to not rush this stage.

There are special measures contractors need to take during the wet Epoxy’s drying time as well. If the air is too humid, moisture will get absorbed into the wet Epoxy or get trapped under the coating layer, causing cracks to form on its surface once it is fully dried.

6. If you experience problems with your new Epoxy floor- it’s going to be really complicated to fix.

Epoxy Flake Coatings require careful scraping and grinding done by professionals to remove if there should be any issues. That’s because proper Epoxy work dries into a thick hard layer that is meant to withstand scrapes and pressure for a long period of time. It’s an especially complicated process to rectify coatings in toilets or bathrooms with existing tiles underneath. If the contractor is not careful, they may crack or cause further damage to your tiles (and subsequently your concrete slabs), leading to more costly repair work.

Our coating does not change the outlook of the tiles, hence it’s unlikely to experience any problems. It is a longer-lasting coating with near-zero maintenance required. If you’re dissatisfied with the outcome of your anti-slip floor, our solution wouldn’t be as much of a hassle.

For example, in one of Nano-G’s previous jobs, our client came back to us with a special request to change the grain sizes on their swimming pool deck to be finer. On their next available date, we came over, cleaned and dried the pool area, and reapplied a new Nano-G Anti-Slip Floor Coating layer on the deck that suited our client’s preferences better. While we will advise the suitable grains you should get for your homes, you may call us back to come and retouch the floor if you prefer a less grainy surface.

7. Epoxy Flake Coatings require an expert touch.

It goes without saying that handling the strong chemicals used in Epoxy work should be left to experienced professionals. Not only do they know how to properly prepare the work area, they also come equipped with the right materials, attire, and industry know-how for quality workmanship.

Not just any Tom, Dick and Harry can pull off a proper Epoxy Floor Coating. Amateur mistakes can lead to unsightly floors with stains and marks.

Despite the risks and health hazards that come with an inexperienced hand, it is ultimately your own decision on what type of service you’d like for your home.

For Nano-G, we believe that if you have the option to, why change the look of your surfaces when their appearance isn’t the issue?

What’s important is that we keep the home slip-free for our elderly, pregnant, or at-risked loved ones.

Oftentimes, slips and trips lead to more serious injuries. Keep your household safe before it’s too late! If you’re still unsure about why Nano-G is a more beneficial choice for your floors, drop us a message to find out what we can do to help you fix your slippery floor problems!

Interested but need more information? We’re here for you, message us on these platforms: