If you’ve decided to pair a geomembrane from BTL Liners with some form of concrete or mortar, you’ll need to pick a product capable of pulling this duty. ArmorPro, is a great choice. Geomembranes are ideal as the base layer under concrete because they act as a secondary barrier against leaks and seepage. Since porous concrete is always seeping at least a small amount of water through itself, the geomembrane underlayment captures that moisture before it can escape into the surrounding soil and cause problems. Small and hard-to-find cracks that appear on the surface of the concrete also won’t get the same chance to form sub-surface puddles that disturb soil and lead to larger collapses.
Installing an underlayment that is concrete compatible also prevents damage from soils that don’t offer the ideal characteristics for the canal you need to build. Sandy dispersive soil and expansive clay soils are commonly found in agricultural areas. East to till ground is great for root crops and clay is full of the minerals and nutrients the plants need. Flexible, but tough underlayment, keeps shifts in the soil from telegraphing to the surface and resulting in cracks or collapsed wall sections. The flexible layer distributes strain and pressure, so that it doesn’t build up in one spot and damage the concrete above.
The same benefits that make geomembranes a great idea to use as underlayment also allow them to work well as surface sealants. However, an underlayment doesn’t usually need any special bonding material, since the concrete will either stick from liquid application or from weight of pre-cast sections. Shotcrete is the one exception, that does sometimes require a secondary layer, to encourage a tight bond. Geomembranes installed over the surface of damaged and existing concrete canal liners also require some kind of adhesive or bonding agent, so the material doesn’t lift or float. Ballast material like gravel, rocks, sand, or soil can serve that purpose, eliminating the need for adhesives or heat bonding treatments. If you plan to hold down a repair membrane with a ballast material, choose one recommended by the manufacturer, so you don’t accidentally tear or wear holes in the geomembrane.
