Restoration
Exterior Preservation is a MUST!!!
- Exterior Preservation is a MUST!!!
The Airform is a very essential part of the Dome. It is the first line of defense for protection to the Polyurethane Foam insulation directly underneath. Foam exposed to ultra violet ray's, degrades and turns to a gritty powder substance. Left unprotected it will deteriorate to the point of rendering it useless as the insulator it was installed to be.
ULTRA VIOLET rays from the sun, are the Airform's biggest enemy. Just like the paint on your car, will only last ten to fifteen years. The unprotected Airform will degrade from sun's harmful rays. Left unprotected, the Airform will last anywhere from ten to twenty years before total degradation to the Airform has occurred, and the foam underneath starts showing signs of degradation. As seen in the photos below.
This damaged dome was built in 1980, coating was applied at time of construction.
In was left un-maintained with no maintenance schedule.
- Reasons for Protection
It is imperative that the Airform is protected for the following reasons.
- The Airform in its original form, is at it's strongest form.
- Every year left unprotected, degradation occurs. Along with it, decreased ability for impact and weatherability resistance.
- Left unprotected for several years, the Airform will deteriorate to the point that moisture vapor drive occurs. In this state Airform may not show any signs of problems other than discoloration. However small pin holes are starting to occur.
- Major Airform UV damage, costly repairs.
The dome on the left shows a rip beginning. The same dome on the right shows how fast the rip can develop and tear in 8 months.Protecting the Airform is Important - Preservation of the Airform with coating before degradation and pinholes occur, can literally save you thousands of dollars. When moisture is present under Airform and blisters have occurred it becomes a costly way for exterior maintenance.
When is the time to apply coating?
No later than five years after construction.Recommendation: protect the Airform with coating as soon as possible. Coating the surface, will protect the Airform from harmful UV rays while maintaining it's original strength.
- Moisture Vapor Drive
Left: Damaged Dome / Right: Same Damaged Dome at left, only worse after another 6 to 8 monthsMoisture Vapor Drive - Moisture either in liquid or vapor form drawn to a cooler surface. Picture a glass of iced tea on a hot summer day. After sitting for 10 minutes, there are beads of water on the outside of the glass. This occurs because moisture in the air has condensed against the cold surface of the glass. The temperature at which moisture in vapor form condenses into a liquid is called the dew point. Two factors that affect this condensation are temperature of the glass surface and the relative humidity of the air surrounding the glass.
Example, when Airform is UV damaged with pin holes, moisture vapor drive starts occurring. Moisture from rain or as a vapor (Humidity) during summer, is drawn in through the unseen pinholes toward the cooler concrete surface.
Moisture is continuously changing from vapor to liquid and back, moving in and out of foam through the pinholes in the Airform. Water vapor condenses to liquid, in the foam where the dew point temperature is found.
In reverse as the sun heats up the exterior surface and the ambient temperature rises, the now liquid moisture inside the foam insulation changes back from a liquid to a gas. In this process the moisture expands significantly in volume, exerting pressure within the foam and under the Airform membrane. (One drop of water will occupy one gallon of space as a gas.)
Moisture present inside the urethane foam as a result of Moisture Vapor Drive is the leading cause of blisters or unsightly bubble areas on the Dome.. If you watch the blisters during the day, they will seem to grow larger as the day becomes warmer. Water is changing from a liquid form to a gas causing expansion. As it expands the pinholes get bigger causing increased Vapor Drive.
EXTERIOR PRESERVATION IS A MUST! - If Airform has no pinholes vapor drive Will Not Occur!
- Why Skylite Construction, Inc.
Skylite Construction, Inc. has the equipment and experience to apply coatings to your Dome as a maintenance program and to protect your initial investment in the most cost conservative way possible.
- Airform degraded or damaged? We can evaluate the extent of damage, and make recommendations for proper repairs.
- Want your Dome maintained with coating application, need extensive repairs or want a unique new look for your dome?
- Contact Us Today!!!Special Services
- Polyurethane Foam Application
- Coating Applications: Acrylics, Silicones, UCSC's Bounce Back, Urethanes, Plural Component Polyureas.
