All buildings are designed to serve a purpose. Whether it’s housing people, providing safe and comfortable places to work, manufacturing products that enrich our lives, or acting as spaces where people can connect and relax, buildings shape our experiences every day. Some buildings, however, are designed to change the world. When water intrusion happens in these spaces, the effects can reach far beyond the buildings themselves. Rainbow’s recent water intrusion repair project at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an important reminder of both the need for and challenges of waterproofing these high-stake environments.
SLAC: Transforming the Future
SLAC is one of 17 Department of Energy national labs and operated by Stanford University. Founded in 1962 with a focus on particle physics, it is now a multi-program laboratory that houses a 2-mile-long particle accelerator, revolutionary X-ray equipment, and other state-of-the-art instruments. These tools help scientists “understand the fundamental workings of nature.”
We explore how the universe works at the biggest, smallest and fastest scales and invent powerful tools used by scientists around the globe. Our research helps solve real-world problems and advances the interests of the nation. – SLAC Mission Statement
Today, SLAC is home to 1500 employees and used by 2700 researchers from around the world each year to deepen our knowledge in scientific fields like X-ray science, astrophysics, machine learning, chemistry, and materials sciences. It is a place where powerful experiments are conducted, new medications are developed, sustainable energy strategies are discovered, and the cosmos is explored. Whether we know it or not, what happens at SLAC is changing the world around us and constantly expanding the possibilities of human endeavor.
Building 950 needed extensive water intrusion repair that included new flashing and installation of Tremco’s PUMA system.
Water Intrusion Repair at Building 950
Building 950 on the SLAC campus is known as the LCLS Near Experimental Hall. There, you will find cutting-edge X-ray equipment used to conduct experiments in materials, atomic, molecular, and optical science. Until recently, you would also have found water leaks.
In 2020, building envelope consultant McGinnis Chen Associates was hired by SLAC to mitigate ongoing water intrusion issues. After the investigative phase was complete, McGinnis Chen Associates prepared bid documents to implement their recommendations, which included:
- Removal of limited concrete surfaces at the Building 950 roof deck.
- Installation of new stainless steel flashing.
- Replacing the concrete that was removed to facilitate the installation of flashing.
- Installation of Tremco’s PUMA system, which offers a longer expected service life than traditional polyurethane deck coating systems.
With a comprehensive range of waterproofing and building envelope restoration services, including concrete repair and waterproofing membrane installation, the Rainbow team offered the expertise necessary to put the plan into action. The work started in the middle of October 2020 and was complete by the end of November 2020.
Partnering with a waterproofing and restoration contractor who can adapt to the complexities of each project can help you achieve the best results.
Meeting the Challenge
Rainbow has worked on notable waterproofing and restoration projects across the San Francisco Bay Area. From repairing the iconic roof of the Marin County Civic Center to restoring the historic Key System Building in Oakland to developing an innovative roof waterproofing solution at École Notre Dame Des Victoire in San Francisco’s Financial District, Rainbow has faced diverse challenges and produced excellent results. Team members receive specialized training to safely take on even the most complex jobs, such as waterproofing in confined spaces. SLAC, however, presented a different kind of challenge.
The work performed at SLAC is invaluable, which is why any threats to the buildings must be resolved quickly and effectively. Doing so requires thoughtful planning that takes the larger environment into account. As Chris Abell, President of Rainbow, says, “The work was performed in a facility occupied by some of the world’s leading scientists. Coordination and scheduling the work was as important to the success of the project as the installation of the specified products.”
The ability to work around logistical barriers and adapt to the conditions of each building is a skill no less important than the ability to restore masonry or install a waterproof membrane correctly. The Rainbow team approached the SLAC project with this in mind, minimizing disruption during the water repair process while protecting the lab for many years to come.
A True Partner
Waterproofing and restoring buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area can be complex due to our unique local conditions. A waterproofing contractor who can address these challenges and while also taking into account the practical needs of each client is essential to ensuring success.
Rainbow is the premier waterproofing company in the San Francisco Bay Area, offering the highest quality water intrusion repair services. Reach out to the Rainbow team today.
The Rainbow Team is Northern California’s most trusted waterproofing and restoration company. We have the craftsmanship and expertise to handle any commercial or historic building envelope, masonry, or waterproofing project in the San Francisco Bay Area.
