Case study
Rapid polyurea waterproofing with Desmodur® & Desmophen
Following record rainfall in Dubai, an 800-villa community faced widespread roof leakage from failed bitumen. Delta Coatings restored the roofs in 180 days using its low-VOC DELTAShield Standard 300 fast-cure polyurea waterproofing system, formulated with Covestro Desmodur® and Desmophen®.
Heavy rainfall in 2024 caused widespread failure of 10-year-old bitumen membrane roofs across an 800-villa community, resulting in leaks and interior damage.
Delta Coatings was tasked with rapidly restoring waterproofing performance across all roofs within a tight timeline, while minimizing disruption to residents remaining at home. Full roof replacement would generate high volumes of waste and take up to 2 years at 40–50% higher cost than recoating. Instead, the project required a durable coating solution that could be applied faster and more cost-effectively.
Delta Coatings was tasked with rapidly restoring waterproofing performance across all roofs within a tight timeline, while minimizing disruption to residents remaining at home. Full roof replacement would generate high volumes of waste and take up to 2 years at 40–50% higher cost than recoating. Instead, the project required a durable coating solution that could be applied faster and more cost-effectively.
The aged bitumen roofing showed UV degradation, resulting in cracking and numerous leaks. With 800 villas affected, rapid repairs were needed to avoid disruption for residents.
The waterproofing solution needed reliable adhesion to the aged bitumen. It also needed the ability to bridge defects and cure quickly, while accommodating thermal movement and providing long-term durability in Dubai’s harsh climate.
The waterproofing solution needed reliable adhesion to the aged bitumen. It also needed the ability to bridge defects and cure quickly, while accommodating thermal movement and providing long-term durability in Dubai’s harsh climate.
Desmodur® and Desmophen® enabled DELTA Coatings to create high-performance polyurea systems for this demanding waterproofing application. Its success demonstrates how these solutions support rapid installation and long-term durability for large projects in challenging climates like the Middle East.
Delta Coatings implemented a seamless waterproofing membrane using DELTAShield Standard 300 spray polyurea, formulated with Desmodur® polyisocyanates and Desmophen® polyols from Covestro.
After application of a DELTAPrime 2K SD polyurea primer system, the DELTAShield Standard 300 coating was spray-applied directly over the existing bitumen. The low-VOC system cured within minutes to form a seamless, UV-stable, waterproof layer with high elongation and tensile strength. This enabled the restoration of all 800 roofs in just 180 days while avoiding the cost and waste of full roof replacement.
After application of a DELTAPrime 2K SD polyurea primer system, the DELTAShield Standard 300 coating was spray-applied directly over the existing bitumen. The low-VOC system cured within minutes to form a seamless, UV-stable, waterproof layer with high elongation and tensile strength. This enabled the restoration of all 800 roofs in just 180 days while avoiding the cost and waste of full roof replacement.
Using Desmodur® and Desmophen® raw materials from Covestro, we were able to formulate our DELTAShield polyurea system, delivering the fast curing, mechanical strength, and durability needed for large-scale waterproofing projects. This allowed us to restore 800 roofs in just 180 days while ensuring long-term protection.
Delta Coatings International
Key benefits
- Rapid curing: Cures in minutes for fast spray installation and rapid return to service.
- Seamless protection: Spray application forms a seamless waterproofing membrane without weak points.
- High elongation: 400% elongation accommodates thermal expansion without cracking.
- Efficient overlay: Good adhesion to existing bitumen, avoiding waste and costly replacement.
- Long-term performance: Durable UV-stable polyurea provides reliable waterproofing for 25+ years.
