Fall 2009 News

Sika Recyling Program Earns Praise

Sika Sarnafil, a leading manufacturer of roofing and waterproofing membranes, is the first U.S.-based company to introduce a recycling program for commercial vinyl roofing membranes.

The move was praised by Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles.

Called “Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling,” the program is designed to keep end-of-life vinyl roofing membranes out of landfills.

So far, the company has recycled over one million sq. ft. of post-consumer use roofing membrane and more than 20 million pounds of pre-consumer membrane since it began its recycling efforts.

“With this groundbreaking resource recovery program, Sika Sarnafil is literally taking recycling to new heights,” Bowles said. “By reducing the amount of material disposed of in Massachusetts landfills this effort is helping to enhance the Commonwealth’s environment.”

One key to the program’s success is that it is streamlined so contractors can easily get involved. Sika Sarnafil ships containers and pallets to participating contractors free of charge. The materials are simply loaded and turned over to Sika Sarnafil with no disposal fees. Contractor labor costs related to recycling are minimal, if any, and are often offset by savings in municipal disposal fees.

“Sika Sarnafil’s Roof Recycling Program creates a strong bond between the manufacturer, contractors and the government with a goal to benefit the community,” said Mark Franklin, environmental health and safety manager at Sika Sarnafil. “We are dedicated to sustainability and look forward to addressing energy conservation issues.”

Contractors interested in learning more can visit www.sarnafilus.com/recycle.

ParexLahabra and Pecora Offer Joint Warranty

Recognizing the need for a reliable sealant to work with many of its finishes, ParexLahabra has teamed with Pecora Corp. to offer a better warranty.

The joint warranty is offered when Pecora 890 sealant is used in conjunction with the following ParexLahabra systems: Parex, LaHabra, El Rey Stucco, Teifs and Mer-Ko.

The Pecora companion warranty match the length of ParexLahabra war-ranty when the products are used together.
“We are excited to offer this value-added service,” said Robert Dickson, technical director for ParexLahabra. “Our customers now have a single-source contact that will process the paperwork for both the ParexLahabra and the Pecora warranty.”

CCW Bentonite Now ANSI Certified

Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing (CCW) recently certified its CCW MiraCLAY GM product.

MiraCLAY GM is a bentonite clay waterproofing membrane with a geomembrane liner designed for waterproofing below-grade structural slabs and retention walls.

The product was tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 at the Ann Arbor, Michigan laboratories of NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization that writes standards and certifies products to protect public health. By receiving NSF Standard 61 Certification, users of the CCW MiraCLAY GM product are assured it will not contribute contaminants to the ground water.

“This NSF-61 certification has really opened the door for MiraCLAY GM because it can now be used on a number of critical waterproofing applications,” CCW General Manager Jason Covington said.

Like other bentonite products, the membrane has the ability to heal itself if ripped or punctured, providing savings in callbacks and repairs.

For more information, visit www.carlisle-ccw.com.

Liberty Pumps Names Top Sales Team

Liberty Pumps, a leading manufacturer of sump pumps and other products, recognized their leading sales team for 2008 with an award. The honor was given to Cooper New England Sales, and was made at a national sales meeting held in mid-July at Rochester, NY.

The two-day meeting was attended by over 90 sales reps and included technical training sessions, live product demonstrations and a tour of the newly expanded manufacturing complex

ParexLahabra Head Retires

Francois Bouan, president of ParexLahabra, Inc. is retiring after more than 20 years in the Exterior Insulating and Finishing System (EIFS) industry. ParexLahabra, is the parent company of several waterproofing and sealant brands, including Parex, LaHabra, Teifs, Mer-Krete and Mer-Ko.

Bouan’s career began with the ParexGroup in 1986 as director of logistics, in Paris, France. He moved to the United States in 1990 with the responsibility to grow the company’s presence in the American West. Two years later, he was named president.

He oversaw a string of acquisitions this decade, beginning with LaHabra Products Inc. and El Rey Stucco Co. Later, the corporation acquired Teifs, Mer-Krete Systems, and a division of QEP.
From 1996 to 1998, Bouan became president of the EIFS Industry Members Association. “Some found it humorous a French man was to be president of a growing American trade association,” says Buck Buchanan, who has worked with Boan for 16 years. “His personality served him well and at the end of his term, as EIMA president, he was a very highly respected and strong leader.”

Bouan will be succeeded as ParexLahabra’s president by current executive vice president, Rodrigo Lacerda.

Waterproofing and Metal Roofing

A new technical paper is available that details how state-of-the art insulating and waterproofing technology can be used for metal buildings and in metal roof retrofits and re-roofing projects.

Most of the paper centers on the use of closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam (ccSPF), and explains how ccSPF can improve energy efficiency, structural integrity, moisture resistance, and other key performance factors.

Titled Insulation and Waterproofing for Metal Buildings & Metal Roof Systems it can be downloaded free of charge at www.bdcnetwork.com.

SWRI and OSHA Renew Alliance

The Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute (SWRI) has renewed its alliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The move is intended to help those in the waterproofing industry with information about workplace health and safety training resources. The alliance will continue to address issues such as confined spaces, falls, lead and silica hazards, and staging requirements.

OSHA representatives have participated in several of the Institute’s meetings in recent years, and helped develop a slide presentation focusing on fall protection. The two organizations are creating a Safety and Health Field Manual designed for the Foreman in English and Spanish and plans for its release in the fall of 2009.

“It has been an extremely successful program with many rewards,” says Ron Pilla, chairman of SWRI’s safety committee. We have done this with one goal in mind and that is, focusing on…bring people home safe and sound to their friends and family.”

Training Certification Now Available

Earlier this year, the Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute (SWRI) announced they would be giving their stamp of approval to company training programs.

Unlike the National Association of Waterproofers and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), which administers a standardized test and certifies the individuals that pass it, the SWRI program merely validates existing classes.

So far, three companies have been validated. They are: The George D. Alan Company of Irving, Texas; Seager Waterproofing of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Triumph Restoration of Mokena Illinois.

If a waterproofing company wants to have their training program validated by SWRI, it should meet the following requirements: