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Month: August 2023

anti-slip coating concrete flooring that can prevent accidental slip and fall incidents

Anti-slip Coating for Concrete Flooring

Concrete flooring and finishing is now a popular design in many homes – but it comes with a safety hazard that doesn’t often cross your mind.

The trend of stylish homes and modern buildings that embrace the sleek look of concrete finishing in their designs isn’t going away anytime soon. Now, many landed properties have simple concrete flooring in their car porches, often with a sloped area leading toward the entrance gate for vehicle access. On rainy days, this spot can become slippery, posing a risk to both children and adults who may be susceptible to slip and falls.

Adding to that, contemporary indoor environments employ seamlessly polished concrete surfaces – concrete flooring becomes a slip-and-fall hazard should there be water or oil spills.

Untreated concrete floors are dangerous when wet, contributing to many incidents of slips and falls.

Altogether, untreated concrete flooring can amplify the inherent risks of slips and falls for occupants and visitors. Thus, anti-slip coating is one of the most preemptive and comprehensive strategies to ensure the secure navigation of these spaces while embracing the popular aesthetic appeal of concrete flooring.

Why anti-slip coating is the best option for your concrete flooring.

What are the various anti-slip coatings offered in the market?

Anti-slip coatings are applied to floors to increase friction and reduce the risk of slip and fall incidents when the surface is wet or oily. There are many kinds of anti-slip coating solutions such as rubber coating, epoxy flakes coating, acid-etching coating, and the transparent nanotechnology that Nano-G offers. Each type comes with its own pros and cons, as well as differences in its effectiveness, durability, and cost.

Want to compare the different types of anti-slip solutions? Check out this article we’ve put together for you:

Everything You Need To Know About Anti-Slip Solutions

Why is Anti-slip coating important for your concrete floors?

Concrete floors can indeed present a slip-and-fall hazard, particularly when they are wet or have substances spilled on them. The smooth and often polished surface of concrete lacks natural traction, making it more slippery under certain conditions. This can increase the risk of accidents, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic or where people might be in a hurry.

Slip and fall accidents often start as seemingly minor incidents that can escalate into severe injuries. Concrete flooring further magnifies the risk of injuries due to its hard surface. For instance, if a person stumbles and hits the ground head-first on hard floors like concrete, asphalt, or wood, this can result in traumatic brain injuries or worse, death.

Your choice of flooring outdoors should be safe, practical, and functional – but concrete floors that are not slip-proofed can do your family a disservice by contributing to accidents.

Anti-slip coatings are known for their ability to significantly enhance traction on surfaces to help prevent accidents caused by slips and falls. This coating increases the friction between footwear and the floor, reducing the risk of skidding and providing secure footing for occupants.

Why Nano-G Anti Slip Floor Coating is the superior choice for your concrete floor.

Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Anti-slip Floor Coating is a non-toxic and non-intrusive solution that requires no renovation. This means it can be applied without causing major disruptions to your daily home routines.

Most conventional treatment methods change the appearance of the treated floors, but Nano-G’s nanotechnology anti-slip solution is completely invisible.

This odourless and invisible coating uses nanotechnology to significantly raise traction on concrete floors and reduce slipperiness after treatment. The solution is hospital-grade, water-based, and offers exceptional slip resistance in both dry and wet conditions – making it the go-to choice for many property management in addressing slip hazards in high-traffic zones like hallways, kitchens, and other similar spaces.

Man demonstrates the acid etching method using spray application technique on a board. This technique can be harmful to the worker and occupants during the application process, therefore PPE gears are necessary.

Unlike the contemporary acid etching techniques which result in a matte, dull appearance while also damaging the floor surfaces, our processes preserve the original look of your floor, keeping its aesthetics and colours unharmed.

Want to learn more about our nanotechnology anti-slip solution? Read more here:

Everything You Need To Know About Anti-Slip Solutions

Excellent Friction
Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Anti-Slip Floor Coating is among the most effective anti-slip coatings offered in the industry, boasting remarkable odds of less than one-in-a-million for contributing to slip and fall incidents. 

Easy to Clean
Even with its grainy nature, our innovative nanotechnology solution effectively repels the accumulation of water and dust on the floor. This creates an additional protective barrier that discourages the growth of bacteria and mould, maintaining a cleaner and more hygienic environment while extending the longevity of the flooring.

Enhance & Renew Surfaces
Nano-G’s Nanotechnology Anti-Slip Floor Coating gives treated flooring a pristine, fresh-as-new appearance. Our glossy anti-slip solution not only amplifies the visual appeal of concrete flooring but also gives it a heightened vibrancy, all while maintaining the surface’s original appearance.

Conclusion

Spaces adorned with the popular choice of concrete flooring, while exuding an industrial-chic appeal, can inadvertently harbour a significant slip-and-fall hazard. Ultimately, prioritising safety through anti-slip measures ensures that your home remains a secure haven for the well-being of occupants over the long term.

Looking to slip-proof your premise? Learn more here:

Need a trusted and reliable anti-slip solution for your premises? Contact us today for a FREE consultation!

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waterproofing technique that may be viable for malaysia weather

Is Torch-on Membrane The Best Waterproofing Solution in Malaysia?

With this bitumen technology dominating about 70% of the flat roof market around the world, many waterproofing contractors in Malaysia are quick to jump on the bandwagon. How reliable is torch-on membrane waterproofing in Malaysia?

A quick search on Google for the term “torch-on membrane waterproofing Malaysia” will yield countless results from different contractors across the country – and a 5-minute read is sufficient for one to know that the technology relies on thick, pre-made bitumen mats that claim to be highly durable after torching. It is a widely used method to prevent water infiltration in various construction projects, and contractors are also pushing for this technology to be implemented in residential units. However, the successful application of this technique can be influenced by several factors, including ambient temperature and the heat generated during the torching process.

In Malaysia’s tropical climate, its weather conditions, elevated temperatures, and other environmental conditions present a unique challenge to the quality and consistency of torch-on membrane installation.

Let’s look into the suitability of this method.

What is torch-on membrane?

Torch-on membrane waterproofing involves applying layers of specialised waterproofing material, typically modified bitumen, to create a sealed and water-resistant surface. The mats are at least 3mm thick, and the term “torch-on” refers to the application process, where heat is used to melt the modified bitumen mat so that the treated material adheres securely to the substrate – typically flat concrete surfaces.

Torch-on membrane waterproofing is only durable when done right.

Torch-on membranes require the application of heat to create a secure bond with the substrate. In Malaysia’s hot and humid climate, the high temperatures can make the application process challenging, as the material can soften quickly, affecting the installation quality. Moreover, the high humidity often means trapping moisture beneath the waterproofing bitumen layer, which causes pressure to build up over time – threatening the structural integrity of the concrete and bitumen layer simultaneously.

Additionally, torch-on membranes can be sensitive to UV radiation from the sun. Malaysia’s intense 12-hour sunlight all year round can cause the membrane to deteriorate more quickly over time compared to other countries, leading to cracks, brittleness, and reduced waterproofing effectiveness.

Some of the key disadvantages of torch-on membrane waterproofing in Malaysia’s tropical climate include the following:

1. Effects of hot weather on workmanship

Working under the scorching sun and enduring the elevated temperatures during torch-on membrane installation can significantly impact the workmanship and overall performance of the bitumen layer’s application process. The intense heat not only affects the comfort and safety of the workers but also introduces challenges related to maintaining optimal conditions for proper adhesive melting and bonding. The combination of high ambient temperatures and heat generated from the torching process can lead to inconsistencies in the adhesive melting phase, potentially compromising the integrity of the waterproofing system. Moreover, the discomfort caused by the heat can lead to reduced work efficiency and productivity, as workers may be inclined to rush through the installation process to minimise their exposure to the heat.

2. Issues with adhesive melting and bonding

Consistent adhesive melting and bonding of the bitumen layer are crucial for the long-term effectiveness of torch-on membrane installations. When workers rapidly install the layer to escape the hot weather, this can cause uneven melting of adhesives and insufficient bonding between the membrane and the substrate. Ultimately, this leads to weakened waterproofing properties, reduced durability, and potential leakages over time. Inadequate adhesive melting also affects the uniformity of the application, which is essential for creating a seamless and reliable waterproofing barrier.

Poorly maintained torch-on membrane will have a significantly shorter lifespan, evident through signs of splits and cracks that can allow water to seep through. Source.

3. Bubbling from trapped moisture beneath the bitumen layer

Bubbling arises when pockets of trapped moisture or air become encapsulated beneath the membrane’s surface. This issue can arise due to improper adhesive melting as mentioned earlier, suboptimal torching techniques due to untrained workers, uneven substrate preparation due to manufacturing defects, and environmental conditions such as Malaysia’s extremely fluctuating tropical weather of rain and shine. Thus, these bubble pockets compromise the membrane’s ability to form a seamless and effective barrier against water infiltration – which leads to the next problem.

Blisters such as shown above are a common problem for torch-on membranes due to trapped moisture and air during the application. Source.

4. Repeated cutting and patching of bitumen layer as repair

Addressing the aforementioned bubbling problem involves cutting up and patching over the membrane. This means that instead of a complete removal, the affected section is meticulously cut out to allow the trapped moisture or air to escape. Subsequently, a fresh piece of membrane is skillfully applied over the excised area. While contractors argue that this approach minimises the need for a comprehensive replacement, the potential long-term repercussions from the accumulation of patches negatively affect the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the installation. With each additional patch, the numerous seams and joints resulting from extensive patching could weaken the system’s resistance to water infiltration. Aesthetics-wise, discrepancies in colour, texture, and alignment between patches and the original membrane can lead to an uneven and unprofessional appearance.

Delamination happens when the membrane layer separates from the flat roof’s surface due to poor workmanship. Source.

5. High expertise is required for the proper installation of torch-on membranes

Proper installation of torch-on membranes requires skilled workers who are trained in the correct application techniques. Inadequate installation can result in poor waterproofing performance and costly repairs, often borne by the client. Delamination is also a common problem in torch-on membrane waterproofing. The membrane layer gradually detaches from the concrete surface if the membrane is not heated correctly, or when moisture is present during the application process. Experts in this bitumen technology must be highly trained in the standard operating procedures from pre-application to post-application for sustainable success.

Additionally, your safety relies solely on the torch-on membrane worker’s work procedure – as evident in this fire incident.

While torching involves manual labour, it pays for the contractors to hire experienced workers instead of skimping on human resources to prevent unfortunate incidents like causing fires in the clients’ buildings. Source.

In October 2019, a significant fire erupted at the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. The site, a major construction project, was engulfed in flames for several days. The fire’s rapid spread was attributed, in part, to the use of torch-on membrane waterproofing, a construction material that proved susceptible to ignition. The catalyst for the blaze was a worker who inadvertently left a blowtorch unattended, causing the membrane to smoulder. This eventually led to the fire’s ignition and subsequent expansion. The incident garnered widespread attention due to its immense scale, the challenges encountered in extinguishing the flames, and the ensuing discussions regarding construction safety practices. Notably, all the workers present were experienced professionals.

According to a report by Fire and Emergency NZ, the fire originated from the smouldering of the cardboard core within a waterproof roofing membrane roll. This smouldering persisted for over 30 minutes during a lunch break before escalating into a full-blown fire, which persisted for a period of 10 days.

When it comes to waterproofing, it is best to choose a well-rounded solution that is durable and safe throughout the application process.

The Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MOH) certification guarantees that Nano-G meets the highest health and safety standards, ensuring that our method is perfectly human-safe and eco-friendly, from pre-application to post-application. Altogether, our hospital-grade nanotechnology proves to be the ultimate solution in promoting a secure environment for home occupants and businesses alike.

The NanoVerify certification further validates Nano-G’s quality and responsible nanotechnology practices. The highly coveted certification verifies that our anti-slip solutions meet the rigorous standards set by the certification scheme, further emphasising our commitment to transparency and excellence.

Conclusion

While torch-on membrane waterproofing offers durability and effectiveness, its suitability in Malaysia’s tropical climate requires careful consideration of its drawbacks. The challenges posed by heat, UV exposure, maintenance, and flexibility raise questions about its safety and long-term effectiveness.

Alternatively, consider modern waterproofing methods that address these challenges such as Nano’G’s Nanotechnology Waterproofing solution. Consult our waterproofing experts to understand the unique demands of Malaysia’s weather so that you can make better-informed decisions in selecting an effective waterproofing solution for your home or commercial building.

Want to know more about our waterproofing solution? Read on here:

A Comparison Of Waterproofing Services in Malaysia
Nano-G Waterproofing Solution

Are you looking for a safe, durable, and reliable waterproofing solution for your premises? Contact us today for a FREE consultation!

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