Precst Pavers and Dog Urine

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Author Message Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 206 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 02:39 pm:    (yes this is a real question, not a Friday afternoon joke) I am writing the specifications for an animal hospital project. We have a roof with precast concrete pavers on pedestals over a TPO roofing membrane, where dogs will walk on their way to a rooftop artificially-grassed exercise area. The vets want to treat the pavers to prevent the absorption of dog urine into the pavers. Would a silane/siloxane water repellant be suitable for this purpose? Or are we better off with an applied waterproofing product? About 30 years ago I did several projects at the National Zoo, and we used an epoxy matrix with finely-ground aggregate for the concrete slabs. Has worked well for gorillas, orangs, and small mammals. Ralph and Tracy, you are dog lovers. Any experience with this? Thank you. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 657 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 02:59 pm:    Sorry, Dave, our guys ands gals have a penchant for concrete slabs, wood gates, chain link fences, and brick walls [if we're not careful]. Have one guy, though who totally dislikes wet grass or even grass in general [and he's a Champion show dog-- go figure]. From what I seen around, in vets' offices, I think your zoo experience is more on track. Any aggregate or granular substance will retain the wetness even if not absorbing it-- hence it can be washed down. And I'm not sold on pavers as the very best idea. Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 146 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:14 pm:    Would a PVC membrane be more resistant to the "chemicals" than a TPO? Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 617 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:23 pm:    Since you are not really dealing with water, but with a chemical akin to ammonia, you have to think more along the zoo lines - or small animal research/hospital - and go with the epoxy (UV resistant, of course). Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 207 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:28 pm:    The technical folks at Carlisle have told the architect that they recommend TPO as they say it shows better chemical resistance to the compounds and pH levels found in dog urine. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 397 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:37 pm:    For Pet Parks and Dog Walks on high rise buildings we specify urethane traffic coatings in areas that do not receive grass. We checked with the manufacturers and were advised that their warranties would accept the abuse from pet urine. Vulkem 360NF/950NF is a good example. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 658 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:38 pm:    If they'll warrant it for the installation, buy it! OR, Hey! Why not extend the grassy-non-grass material all the way and delete the paver walk entirely? Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 208 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:44 pm:    Good question Ralph--I ask the same question. But we just write the specifications--we don't get to make those big design decisions, do we? Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 659 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:53 pm:    Practical and technically-sound push-back usually is at least tolerated. Good advice can always be ignored or rejected [just don't say, "I told you so", too loudly!] After all, we are hired for WHAT we KNOW!!! [and what experience has brought to us] Anonymous   Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 03:58 pm:    Well if you own a dog, you would know that not all dog owner's pick up their pooches poop, even if it is the law in most communities, so if you walk on grass, sometimes its harder to see the poop than walking on pavement, esp. for us older guys with failing eyesight, although there are no pet parks where I walk my dog(s), but if I did live in one of those award winning empty high rise condominiums, I would not want to step in poop with my MBT's. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 660 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 04:15 pm:    Are we missing our millions here, by not inventing and selling "Doggie-Diapers, The easy-on-easy-off dog care product"? Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 400 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 05:05 pm:    Ralph, sorry guy, you're have to make your millions elsewear, doggie diapers already exist, go to this web site and search for diapers, the pictures are precious: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/ and since its Friday, why not!!!!!!!!!! Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 661 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 08:15 am:    Knew about the I-don't-want-a-litter-now "drawers" for gal dogs, but didn't realize some one had swiped my grand idea!! Thanks for starting my day and week off so well!! Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 402 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 11:03 am:    Ralph, we have a 14 year old Cocker Spaniel, sweetest dog ever, however he is deaf, failing eyesight, somewhat senile, and has had a major bladder problems for years - we even paid for several operations. We go through boxes of pee pads monthly as he refuses to go outside (I guess its too hot for him) anymore. WE tried the diapers last year, they worked great, but they required daily changing and the cost was a small fortune. WE will probably be forced to put him to sleep this week, no one else wants him and we are tired of the mess, we need to discard all the carpets in our house, which are now ruined from his daily duty. Also he's teaching our new puppy its ok to pee and poop in the house...his new trick is to help out with picking up his poop by eating it, which just makes him sick and you guessed it worse comes out - its time for him yo go to the big doggie heaven - he has been part of our family for 13 years....it is indeed going to be a sad week. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 621 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 - 12:34 pm:    Jerome, my condolences.