July, 2006

HouseGuard

By Staff Report

Mold that can result from leaky basements increasingly concerns homeowners—and therefore builders and remodelers as well. There are many waterproofing systems on the market to alleviate these concerns, but a below-grade process offered by Terry Asphalt Materials Inc. in Hamilton, Ohio, combines several layers of protection in one inclusive barrier. Although easy to install, the system relies so strongly on its application that it has been sold only to authorized and trained appliers. But the company now is looking for distributors to sell its spray-applied membrane as a stand-alone product. Both approaches offer opportunities to building-material dealers.

Becoming an authorized applier of the system can provide dealers with a new service for customers, providing added value as an installed-sales option. The buy-in costs include a truck, spray equipment, materials and labor, and the company provides a two-day training program as well as sales and marketing support for free. Sales materials include brochures and other pieces to spread the word, according to Kim Terry, marketing and sales manager.

“There are a lot of systems on the market, and each has its own attributes,” he notes. Some use insulation with drainage systems but no other protection. Some don’t feature high-quality asphalt membranes with enough polymer to ensure water resistance. Others are based on insulation materials that don’t drain well or have limited effectiveness below grade, producing less energy efficiency. “You need a system that has a good-quality membrane that has good hydrostatic resistance and can be applied easily,” he says.

The HouseGuard system consists of two key components. The first is a spray-applied Tru-Dry membrane that leaves no seams and can be applied even in damp conditions. It bridges any non-structural cracks up to 1/16 in. It is applied before being covered with specially designed Dow Styrofoam-brand insulation boards, which are made of rigid foam and provide added moisture protection. They feature a grooved face that channels water away from the foundation.

Applying the waterproofing is a four-step process, Terry explains. Wall surfaces and footers are cleaned of loose aggregate, followed by patching of voids and spalls. Once the site is prepped, the Tru-Dry waterproofing membrane is sprayed onto the surface for a thickness of 60 mils. Then the Styrofoam-brand insulation is stapled over the membrane with approved fasteners.

The two-part system features a 20-year warranty and protection against costly future repairs. According to the company, it reduces odors and conditions for bacterial growth, creates a long-term safe and dry living space and reduces heating and cooling costs. It is environmentally friendly in that it includes no solvents and it offers quick application and drying time for immediate backfill. It can bond to damp and uncured walls, speeding the schedule further. It also can be used on insulated concrete forms.

The company’s materials show how a dealer can operate his own service with the use of a 3/4- or 1-ton truck and an investment of about $15,000 for spray equipment. Cost projections indicate that a company that does five daily jobs using the equipment can clear more than $1,500 per day in profit after deductions for material and all labor costs.

“We haven’t used resellers for our system because we take a hands-on approach to training,” Terry says. “We authorize our installers and provide a warranty, and proper installation is critical for that.”

The company now is looking to package the asphalt membrane for sale through dealers pending distribution deals around the country, Terry notes. The products will be sold with a product warranty rather than a performance warranty since the company won’t be able to ensure proper application. “It’s an easy process, but it has to be done right to work well,” says Terry.