Interstitial Case Studies
Water can wreak havoc anywhere, including the spaces between floors
THE CHALLENGE:
Three years after construction, several floor drains were installed in the 3,500 sq. ft. commercial kitchen at the University Retirement Community at Davis to speed the removal of water during routine wash-downs. However, they also allowed water to intrude into the subfloor and absorb into the insulation under the kitchen.
The owner faced the challenge of replacing the floor system with a surface suitable for a commercial kitchen operation while guaranteeing that this expensive water-intrusion problem would not happen again. Visual inspection of the typical 24-hour water test would be inconclusive for a long-term guarantee and time was of the essence.
After reviewing the alternatives, the owner selected Detec Systems’ Moisture Detection and Monitoring System (MDMS) for its ability to immediately verify the results of the 24-hour water test AND for its long- term capacity to quality assure the water tightness of the new surface.
THE SOLUTION:
Technicians applied Detec’s proprietary Moisture Detection Tape (MDT) to the subfloor around each penetration including drains, electrical and plumbing services. The techs installed a grid pattern in the high-risk dishwashing area and then hardwired all 60 unique zones to a D6000 computer. The technicians then connected the D6000 via the internet to Detec’s monitoring center where the kitchen floor plan was uploaded with each zone identified.
Don Wilson, the facility manager, logged on to observe the real time monitoring transmitted by the MDMS. Within four hours of the flood test start, four zones reported water penetration. Quick to respond, the waterproofing contractor removed the grout at these zones, dried the water below, resealed the penetrations and retested for water tightness. In less than 48 hours, Don had absolute confirmation that the replaced floor was watertight and ready for reinstallation of the kitchen equipment.
Now that the kitchen is back in full operation, Don logs on frequently to check for any water penetration that could lead to another expensive problem. He and his successors will enjoy this peace of mind for the next forty years. Tim Moffett of Walsh & Forster stated that, “All of the parties involved agreed that the Detec System paid for itself in the flood test alone.”