UNDERWATER REPAIR METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A method for underwater repair of a structure includes preparing a repair compound, applying the repair compound on a first side of a strip, placing the strip on an area requiring repair such that the first side of the strip faces the area requiring repair, and pressing on a second side of the strip opposite the first side to apply the repair compound to the area requiring repair. The method also includes distributing the repair compound over the area requiring repair while pushing water away from the area by pressing along the second side of the strip, and curing the repair compound.

Claims

1. A method for underwater repair of a structure, comprising: preparing a repair compound; applying the repair compound on a first side of a strip; placing the strip on an area requiring repair such that the first side of the strip faces the area requiring repair; pressing on a second side of the strip opposite the first side to apply the repair compound to the area requiring repair; distributing the repair compound over the area requiring repair while pushing water away from the area by pressing along the second side of the strip; and curing the repair compound.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the area requiring repair prior to placing the strip.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein preparing the repair compound comprises mixing a first component with a second component of a two-component repair compound.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the strip after curing the repair compound.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein curing the repair compound occurs over a period between 12 hours and 24 hours.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the strip is made of polyethylene.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the strip is substantially transparent.

8. A method for underwater repair of a structure, comprising: preparing a repair compound; applying the repair compound on a first side of a strip; submerging the strip underwater to place the strip on an area requiring repair such that the first side of the strip faces the area requiring repair; curing the repair compound while the strip is submerged underwater; and after curing, removing the strip from the repair compound.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the repair compound includes mixing a first component and a second component of a two-component polyurethane system.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, prior to curing, pressing on a second side of the strip opposite the first side to distribute the repair compound over the area requiring repair.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein curing the repair compound occurs over a period between 12 hours and 24 hours.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the strip is substantially transparent

13. A system for underwater repair of a structure comprising: a repair compound having an uncured state in which the repair compound is malleable and a cured state in which the repair compound is hardened, the repair compound configured to transition from the uncured state to the cured state over a curing time; and a strip having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to receive the repair compound in the uncured state and remain in contact with the repair compound over the curing time, wherein the strip is removable from the repair compound in the cured state of the repair compound.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the repair compound includes a two-component polyurethane system.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the curing time is between 12 hours and 24 hours.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the strip is made of polyethylene.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the strip is substantially transparent.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the repair compound is configured to transition from the uncured state to the cured state while submerged in water.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the strip is configured to separate an area of the repair compound from the water.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the strip defines a width between 1 inch and 5 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for repairing a surface in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary two-component repair compound.

[0022] FIG. 2B illustrates a strip and a repair compound, such as the repair compound of FIG. 2A.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a compromised area repaired with the method of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 further illustrates repair of the area of FIG. 3.

[0025] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of underwater repair of a structure. Embodiments of the invention include a method of underwater repair of a structure. Certain embodiments comprise a system for underwater repair of structure.

[0027] In general, repair areas that may benefit from the method and system described includes, for example, spider cracks, thin cracks, weeping cracks, divots, hollowing, egg-shelling, and delamination of certain surfaces. Furthermore, the method and system described is applicable for repair areas surrounding drains, returns, skimmers, jets, gutters, grates, tiles, light niches, steps, coping, expansion joints, and the like, as related to swimming pools, spas, and other structures.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention include a repair compound comprising a single material. In certain embodiments, the repair compound comprises a plurality of materials. The plurality of components can be mixed prior to the application to a repair area. In certain embodiments, a repair compound includes two-components mixed prior to application to a repair area. In certain embodiments, a two-component compound includes, but is not limited to a two-part polyurethane system, a two-part methacrylate system, and a two-part polybutadiene system. The repair compound can include, but is not limited to polyester, isocyanate, polyol, epoxy, amine, silicone, acrylic, rubber, resins, and foams. Examples of two-component compounds include resin and curing agent combinations, isocyanate: polyol combinations, epoxy:amine combinations, and others. Examples of repair compounds include, for example, formulations provided by Aquabond, LLC (http://aquabondadhesives.com/, Long Beach, Calif.), which are incorporated by reference, although not limited to such formulations. Repair compounds can include those free of decabromodiphenyl ether. Repair compounds can also include moisture-insensitive compounds. Repair compounds can also include a two-component adhesive that when mixed together, undergoes an exothermic reaction during the curing process.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the invention, a method to seal and/or fix a repair area is described. The method comprises preparing a repair compound, applying the repair compound on a strip, placing the strip on a repair area, and allowing the repair compound to cure. FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram 10 with the steps for repairing a compromised area in certain embodiments of the present invention. Prior to repairing a structure, the repair site is identified. The size and shape of a repair site is evaluated. A strip that fits the general shape and size of the repair area, for example, a crack, may be selected. In order to choose an appropriately sized strip and appropriate amount of repair compound, in many cases, measuring and evaluating the repair area prior to repair is beneficial. The substrate located at or near the repair area may be cleaned. The repair area may be abraded, and/or brushed, as to remove organic and inorganic buildup, to increase bonding of a repair compound to the substrate.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the repair method includes preparing a repair compound (11). Preparing a repair compound includes the step of mixing of one or more constituent materials. For example, for two-component repair compounds, mixing of a first component 25 and a second component 26, as seen in FIG. 2A, is done in order to initiate a chemical reaction for curing and hardening. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, further mixing a plurality of components, such as a third component, a fourth component, and more, is necessary for certain repair compounds. The repair compound can be prepared outside of the liquid, for example, in air. In certain embodiments, a repair compound is prepared in the liquid.

[0031] Still referring to FIG. 1, the repair method includes applying a repair compound on a strip (12). A prepared repair compound 21 is applied on a strip 20 first side or surface 23, as exemplified in FIG. 2B. The strip can be transparent, translucent or opaque. In certain embodiments, a strip is non-stick, where the repair compound is releasable from the strip after curing. In other embodiments, the strip is reusable. The strip can include a polyethylene strip, although other materials are contemplated. Examples of other materials include, for example, polypropylene, and wax paper. In certain embodiments, the strip is provided in a rolled form. In certain embodiments, the strip includes a width between 2.54 cm (1 in.) and 12.7 cm (5 in.), although other sizes smaller and larger are contemplated.

[0032] Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the repair method includes placing the strip over a repair area (13). Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a repair area 22 may include, for example, a crack, although it will be appreciated that other types of features may be repaired. Referring to FIG. 3, a strip 20 with a repair compound 21 on a first surface 23 is placed on a repair area 22. In certain embodiments, a second side or surface 24 of the strip 20 is pressed. As seen in FIG. 4, the second surface 24 of the strip 20 may be pressed down. Pressing along the second surface 24 towards the edge of the strip 20 may spread and level the repair compound. It will be appreciated that spreading is accomplished using a spreader or fingers. In certain embodiments, the action of spreading is referred to as feathering. A spreader includes a tool that assists in spreading a repair compound. Examples of spreaders have a thin form, and straight and/or curved edges. It will be appreciated that spreading the repair compound away from a repair area provides a greater bonding surface for the repair compound.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the repair method 10 includes injecting a repair compound into the repair area, for example, within a crack, prior to placing the strip over a repair area (13). It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, if the repair compound is injected into the repair area, the step (12) of applying a repair compound on a strip may be skipped. The use of the strip is beneficial in certain embodiments. The strip helps to cure the repair compound while decreasing the exposure of the repair compound to the liquid.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the strip distributes hydrostatic pressure of liquid surrounding the repair compound when the repair area is submerged. By acting as a barrier between the liquid and the repair compound, the strip may prevent the repair compound from being pushed through a crack in the repair area, for example. In some embodiments, the strip, under the influence of hydrostatic from the surrounding liquid, may create a seal to about an inch on either side of a crack in the repair area. In some embodiments, the seal extend further than an inch on either side of the crack.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the repair method includes curing the repair compound (14). Generally, the time for curing the repair compound depends on the type of repair compound used. In some embodiments, the time for curing the repair compound (i.e. to transition from an uncured state to a cured state) is at least 6 hours. In some embodiments, the time for curing the repair is between 12 hours and 24 hours. In certain embodiments, the strip may permit the repair compound to be smoothed and further worked in and around the repair area without compromising the repair compound. The strip prevents surrounding liquid from contacting at least an area of the repair compound during curing, which may improve and/or accelerate curing.

[0036] Once cured, the repair compound is generally hardened. After the recommended period of time to cure the repair compound, referring to FIG. 1, the strip is removed (15). Placing the strip on a repair area can further involve spreading the repair compound under the strip. The spreading allows the repair compound to be smoothed against the substrate. There are certain benefits for removal of a strip after the repair compound is cured. Using the strip, and removal of the strip allows the repaired area to have a more visually appealing quality compared to not using a strip.

[0037] In certain embodiments, a system for repairing a structure is provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, a system includes a repair compound, and a strip. In certain embodiments, a system includes a two-component repair compound and a strip. In certain embodiments of the invention, a system includes a two-component repair compound with an applicator (including, for example, a dispensing gun), and a strip. In certain embodiments, a system further includes a spreader.

[0038] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.