Greening the Waterproofing Industry

This article was crafted with the help of AquaGuard Foundation Solutions.

Green Construction and the “Green” Movement

The U.S Green Building Council’s Green Jobs Study forecasts that “green construction” will generate an additional $554 billion in gross domestic product and support 7.9 million jobs between 2009 and 2013.

Already there are advances being made in “green” products and processes across the waterproofing industry to help contractors use fewer resources while still offering quality, long-lasting products.

Tom DiGregorio, owner of AquaGuard Foundation Solutions in Atlanta, has already embraced some of the “green” movement, both as a way to protect the environment and to help his customers save a different kind of green.

“We have a lot of products we use that are from recycled plastics, and we even have an energy-saving product that is part of our exclusive line that lowers the kilowatt usage in a home or a building.”

Developing Greener Products

In the waterproofing industry, some of the biggest advances have been in developing greener products for use. The most commonly used solvent-based waterproofing products can contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, some of which are thought to be harmful to the environment.

Newer water-based compounds are beginning to gain popularity; they are low-VOC, non-toxic, and can be cleaned up with soapy water if spilled, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners.

The quality of the best water-based solvents matches that of the solvenated products, and their drawbacks are minor. In drainage, many waterproofers are turning to a tough new vapor barrier, the dimple drain sheet. They are virtually indestructible and easy to apply, and they can also be recycled.

Striving for Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency for the homeowner is another area in which the waterproofing industry is eager to help. Encapsulation, the enclosing and conditioning of a crawl space, is another process that many waterproofing companies can complete.

“When it comes to the systems we install, especially in crawl spaces,” says DiGregorio, “we can do a tremendous amount to save energy. I mean, just think about saving up to 20 percent or more on your heating and cooling. That’s very green.”

This article was crafted with the help of AquaGuard Foundation Solutions, an Atlanta expert in Waterproofing. While we strive to provide relevant information to all homeowners, some of the material we publish may not pertain to every area.

Please contact your local Best Pick companies for any further area-specific advice.

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