Epoxy methane barrier for concrete floors and walls, and a method of making, and using same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an epoxy methane barrier for concrete floors and walls, and a method of making, and using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a dual mixture of at least one hardener, and at least one resin, which when mixed together create an inventive methane barrier layer that acts as a barrier, and prevents, and blocks methane, and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) from passing from one side of a structure to the other side of the structure. The innovative barrier layer system can be used or applied along the insides of a wall, and on the top surface of a completed or cured floor or a foundation. This invention can be used on interior floors and walls of existing structures, such as, commercial and residential structures, and ADUs (Additional Dwelling Units) to methane proof the existing structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An epoxy methane barrier for cured concrete/shotcrete surface, comprising the steps of:
 (a) pouring at least one hardener into a container;   (b) pouring at least one resin into said container;   (c) mixing said at least one hardener and said at least one resin to form an epoxy mixture; and   (d) applying at least one layer of said mixture over at least one surface to prevent flow of methane.   
     
     
         2 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said surface is selected from a group consisting of a wall, a blind wall, an interior wall, an exterior wall, a foundation, a foundation slab, a floor, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 1 , wherein thickness of said at least one layer is between about 0.125 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 1 , wherein at least one electromechanical device having at least one mixing means secured thereto is used to mix said at least one hardener and said at least one resin to form said epoxy mixture. 
     
     
         5 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 1 , wherein at least one electromechanical device having at least one mixing blade secured thereto is used to mix said at least one hardener and said at least one resin to form said epoxy mixture. 
     
     
         6 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one layer of said mixture applied over said at least one surface is selected from a group consisting of an inside wall surface, an outside wall surface, an inside cured concrete/shotcrete floor, an inside cured concrete/shotcrete wall surface, an outside cured concrete/shotcrete floor, an outside cured concrete/shotcrete wall surface, and a cured concrete/shotcrete foundation. 
     
     
         7 . An epoxy methane barrier for cured concrete/shotcrete surface, comprising at least one mixture, and wherein said mixture consists of at least one hardener, and at least one resin. 
     
     
         8 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one mixture has a thickness of between about 0.125 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one mixture is secured to a surface, and wherein said surface is selected from a group consisting of a wall, a blind wall, an interior wall, an exterior wall, a foundation, a foundation slab, a floor, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one mixture is secured to a surface, and wherein said surface is a concrete/shotcrete surface. 
     
     
         11 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one mixture is secured to a surface, and wherein said surface is a cured concrete/shotcrete surface. 
     
     
         12 . The epoxy methane barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one mixture is secured to a surface, and wherein said surface is an uncured concrete/shotcrete surface 
     
     
         13 . A building structure having a methane barrier, comprising:
 (a) a foundation, wherein said foundation has top peripheral edges, and a bottom surface, and wherein said bottom surface is on top of earth;   (b) at least three side walls, having a top edge, and a bottom edge, and wherein said bottom edge is physically connected, and secured to said top peripheral edges of said foundation to form a room cavity;   (c) at least one layer of a mixture covering at least a portion of said cavity, and wherein said mixture comprises at least one hardener, and at least one resin; and   (d) wherein said at least one layer of said mixture prevents the ingress of volatile gases from entering said cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein said foundation is one of concrete and shotcrete. 
     
     
         15 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein said at least three side walls are one of concrete and shotcrete. 
     
     
         16 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one layer of mixture covering said at least a portion of said cavity has a thickness of between about 0.125 mm to about 6 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said cavity is one of below ground level and at ground level. 
     
     
         18 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said cavity is one of below ground level and at ground level, and wherein said at least one layer of said mixture covering said at least a portion of said cavity is one of below ground level and at ground level. 
     
     
         19 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said cavity is one of below ground level and at ground level, and wherein said at least one layer of said mixture covering said at least a portion of said cavity provides a substantially continuous methane barrier. 
     
     
         20 . The building structure having a methane barrier of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of a surface of said cavity is prepared to accept at least one coating of said at least one layer of said mixture.