GLOSSARY
Waterproofing and Coating Glossary
Plain-language explanations of the products, services and technical terms you will meet when specifying waterproofing, road surfacing and protective coating systems.
Products
- Waterproofing System
- A complete set of layers designed to stop water getting into a structure.
- Liquid-Applied Membrane
- A waterproofing coating applied on site that cures into one continuous layer.
- Pre-Formed (Sheet) Membrane
- A factory-made waterproofing sheet that is laid and joined on site.
- APP / SBS Modified Bitumen Membrane
- Sheet membranes made with plastic (APP) or rubber (SBS) added to bitumen for better flexibility and strength.
- Bituminous Products
- Products made from bitumen, a black petroleum-based binder used in waterproofing and road work.
- Bituminous Emulsion
- Bitumen mixed with water so that it can be applied cold.
- Coal Tar Products
- Coatings and wraps made from coal tar, commonly used for pipeline protection where suitable and permitted.
- Coal Tar Epoxy
- A hard, chemical-resistant coating that combines coal tar with epoxy.
- Primer
- A first coat that helps the following layer stick to the surface.
- Protective / Anti-Corrosive Coating
- A coating intended to protect steel or concrete from rust, moisture and deterioration.
- Sealant
- A flexible material that fills and seals joints and gaps.
- Adhesive
- A material used to bond two surfaces together.
- Construction Chemicals
- The general name for admixtures, grouts, sealants, coatings and similar materials used in building.
- Crack Sealant / Road Repair Compound
- Products that fill and repair cracks and damage in road surfaces.
- Coloured Asphalt
- A pigmented road surface used for markings and decorative areas.
Services and Documents
- Product Supply
- Selling and delivering materials for a project.
- Technical Support / Technical Assistance
- Guidance on choosing and using products, based on project requirements and conditions.
- Product Selection
- Matching the right product to the surface, environment and requirement.
- Technical Datasheet (TDS)
- The manufacturer’s specification sheet for a product, covering properties, preparation and application.
- Method Statement
- A step-by-step description of how a product is to be applied.
- Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
- A list of the materials and quantities a project needs.
- Quotation / Request for Quotation (RFQ)
- A priced offer for a stated requirement, and the request that asks for it.
- Bulk Order
- A large-quantity order, often for project or tender supply.
- Surface Assessment / Site Visit
- Checking the condition of a surface before a product is chosen.
Applications and Structures
- Roof, Terrace and Podium Deck
- Building surfaces that are commonly waterproofed.
- Basement, Sunken Slab and Retaining Wall
- Below-ground structures exposed to groundwater and moisture.
- Bridge Deck, Flyover and Tunnel
- Transport structures that need waterproofing and protection.
- Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant
- Water infrastructure that stores or treats water.
- Sewage Treatment Plant
- A facility that treats wastewater before it is released or reused.
- Storage Tank and Vessel
- Containers for liquids or gases, often needing internal or external coatings.
- Pavement, Road Surfacing and Overlay
- The surface layers of a road, and the work of renewing them.
- Expansion Joint and Construction Joint
- Planned gaps that let structures move or separate pours of concrete.
- Underground Pipeline and Field Joint
- Buried pipes, and the points where pipe sections are joined on site.
Performance Terms
- Water Ingress
- Water getting into a structure.
- Corrosion Resistance
- The ability to resist rusting and chemical attack.
- UV and Weather Resistance
- The ability to withstand sunlight, rain and temperature change.
- Crack Bridging
- A coating’s ability to stretch across fine cracks without splitting.
- Elongation
- How far a material can stretch before it breaks.
- Adhesion / Bond Strength
- How firmly a material sticks to the surface beneath it.
- Cold Flexibility
- Staying flexible at low temperatures.
- Puncture and Abrasion Resistance
- Resistance to being pierced or worn away.
- Service Life / Durability
- How long a material or system keeps performing.
Project Roles
- Contractor
- The firm responsible for carrying out construction work.
- Applicator
- A contractor or team that applies waterproofing or coating products on site.
- Consultant
- An adviser who designs or specifies materials for a project.
- Project Management Company (PMC)
- An organisation that manages a project on behalf of its owner.
- Infrastructure Developer
- The organisation that plans and delivers infrastructure such as roads, railways or utilities.
- EPC Contractor
- A contractor responsible for engineering, procurement and construction of a project.
Definitions are general explanations. Product suitability and performance depend on the specific product and project conditions; refer to the current manufacturer’s technical datasheet.
Get in touch
Need Infrastructure Protection Solutions?
Contact GVRR Enterprises for waterproofing systems, industrial coatings, road surfacing materials, and anti-corrosive protection products.
