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Choosing the best waterproofing system as well as a reputable company can be a homeowners' nightmare. This information is designed to help you make a good decision with respect to both of these important decisions.

1. HOW LONG HAS THE COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. has been in business since 1978. Click on History link in the navigation bar for more details.

2. IS THE COMPANY LISTED ON WALL STREET WITH A PUBLIC INSTITUTION THAT MONITORS COMPANIES' FINANCIAL STABILITY?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. is listed with Dunn & Bradstreet (D&B) ( NYSE:DNB), the leading provider of global business information.

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1. WHAT IS SODIUM BENTONITE?
Sodium bentonite is a yellowish-gray, inorganic and nontoxic natural mineral chiefly found in the Black Hills region of the United States. It consists largely of montmorillonite (aluminum silicate), a highly expansive clay having the unusual characteristics of cohesion, binding, sealing, and thickening. Sodium bentonite originated from volcanic ash, combining with saltwater millions of years ago. The crystal lattice structures of sodium bentonite are much thinner and more easily separated by hydration than those of other clays. When wetted and separated, the surface area of bentonite increases many times. This increased surface area, along with irregular dispersion of the clay platelets, resist water penetration, thus forming a very low permeable barrier.

2. WILL VOLCLAY DRY OUT AFTER BEING HYDRATED?
No. Volclay does not dry out after being hydrated in a below-grade waterproofing application. Volclay, once wetted, will remain hydrated even when the moisture content in the adjacent soils decrease. This is because Volclay has been forced-dried at 650°F (330°C) to an 8% bonded moisture content from its natural 25-30%. Therefore, Volclay has a great affinity for water, and once mechanically bonded, doesn't let it go.

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3. WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY DOES THE COMPANY OFFER?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. provides a lifetime, transferable warranty.

4. DOES THE COMPANY OFFER A CLEAR, WRITTEN ESTIMATE?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. provides a free, written estimate explaining all work and fees.

5. IS THE COMPANY INSURED UP TO AT LEAST $1,000,000?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. is insured to $1 million, and is licensed by the State of Michigan.

6. IS THE COMPANY A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. is a member of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

7. IS THE COMPANY A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION?
Great Lakes Waterproofing Co. is a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK) and the Home & Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids (HBAGGR), as well as the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors and the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors.

8. IS THE COMPANY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED?
Great Lakes Waterproofing is family owned and operated. Based in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, it has been in business since 1978. Click History link.

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3. WILL VOLCLAY WORK IN THE HIGH SALINE SOILS OF COASTAL REGIONS?
Yes. A special Volclay bentonite, Volclay CR (Contaminate-Resistant), has been designed to work in soils with high concentrations of salts found in coastal regions. Volclay CR is also resistant to other industrial chemicals that may be in the soils. A simple test of the groundwater from the construction site will produce results indicating whether standard Volclay or Volclay CR is required for that specific project.

4. DOES VOLCLAY HAVE TO BE IMMEDIATELY HYDRATED AFTER BACKFILLING?
No. Volclay does not have to be fully hydrated upon installation. Like most other waterproofing membranes, Volclay will remain dormant until water comes in contact with the waterproofing. When water does contact Volclay, the Volclay immediately hydrates, forming a low permeable barrier.

5. FOR UNDERSLAB APPLICATIONS, DOES VOLCLAY REQUIRE A WORKING MUD SLAB?
No. Volclay, in most cases, does not require a working mud slab to be installed over. The reason for this is that Volclay does not rely on adhesion to function as a waterproofing membrane. Remember, a mud slab traditionally is made of weak concrete mix and usually cracks. Therefore, you are not adhering the waterproofing to the structural slab, but waterproofing the mud slab, which is typically made of a weak concrete mix and is susceptible to cracking.

6. WILL VOLCLAY WORK WITH PROPERTY LINE CONSTRUCTION?
Yes. Volclay waterproofing systems are ideal for blind-side property line construction. Simply install Volclay to the retaining wall and pour the concrete in a single-sided form. Typical applications include soldier pile and wood lagging, metal sheet piling, earth and shotcrete retention walls, and concrete cassoin construction.