Where does waterproofing fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Waterproofing
Planned for the home you live in, with the work done in order and the site kept clean.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Waterproofing
Included in the full new-build plan, with the trades coordinated under one lead.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Waterproofing
Scheduled around occupancy, built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For high-rise buildings: Waterproofing
Planned for vertical access, fire separation, sound and the building schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For renovations: Waterproofing
Scoped with the rest of the renovation so the trades work in the right order.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Waterproofing
Foundations, basements, balconies and wet areas waterproofed so water stays out of the structure and the finishes.
How this guide works
Water is the enemy of a building. Waterproofing keeps it out of the structure, and it works best when the water path is found first. Work through the nine decisions in order.
Decision 1: Where waterproofing is used
Waterproofing goes into foundations, basements, balconies, showers and commercial podiums. The surface and the water path decide the system.
| Area | Typical system | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations and basements | Exterior membrane or interior drainage | Water path, drainage, grade |
| Balconies and decks | Membrane and drainage | Slope, drains, flashing |
| Wet areas (showers) | Liquid or sheet membrane | Full coverage, corners |
| Commercial podiums | Membrane with protection board | Load, access, warranty |
Our pick: Find the water path first. Waterproofing a surface without fixing the path does not last.
Decision 2: Diagnosing the water path
The sign on the wall or floor tells you where the water is coming from. Matching the sign to the source decides the fix.
| Sign | Likely source | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Damp patch after heavy rain | Surface grade or downspouts | Grade and gutter discharge |
| White staining (efflorescence) on block | Water moving through the wall | Exterior face and joints |
| Damp at the floor joint | Water pressure from below | Weeping tile and sump |
| Damp only in one corner | Crack or failed joint | Crack path and flashing |
Our pick: Diagnose before you choose the system. A membrane over the wrong source is a costly repeat.
Decision 3: Exterior or interior
Exterior waterproofing stops water at the wall. Interior systems manage the water that gets in. The choice depends on access and the cause.
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior membrane | Stopping water at the source | Digging and access cost |
| Interior drainage and sump | Where digging is not possible | Manages water, does not stop it |
Our pick: Exterior where you can get access. Interior where you cannot, and the water is managed.
Decision 4: Membrane type
Membranes differ in flexibility, durability and how they are applied. Choose for the surface and how it moves.
| Membrane | Good for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid applied | Complex shapes and corners | Thickness and cure time matter |
| Sheet membrane | Flat areas with a clean surface | Seams and laps are the weak point |
| Bentonite | Below-grade where water is constant | Needs a moist-cure window |
Our pick: Liquid for complex shapes. Sheet for large flat areas, with the seams checked.
Decision 5: Drainage and grade
Water that runs toward the house overwhelms any membrane. Grade, gutters and drains are part of the system.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Grade around the house | Falls away from the foundation |
| Gutters and downspouts | Discharge away from the wall |
| Weeping tile and drains | Clear and sloped |
Our pick: Fix the grade and the gutters before the membrane. It is the cheapest protection.
Decision 6: Life and maintenance
A well-installed system lasts a long time, but drainage and upkeep decide much of that life. Plan the maintenance with the install.
| Item | What keeps it working |
|---|---|
| Gutters and downspouts | Cleaned and discharging away |
| Grade | Checked after big landscape or snow work |
| Drains | Flushed and checked on a schedule |
Our pick: Keep the water moving away from the house. The membrane does the rest.
Decision 7: Coordination with the other trades
Waterproofing sits between excavation, the foundation, the drainage and the finish. The order matters, and each trade protects the membrane for the next.
| Trade | What it needs from waterproofing |
|---|---|
| Excavation | Access, shoring and a clean surface |
| Concrete and framing | Membrane protected from the backfill and the loads |
| Drainage | Drain connected before the backfill |
| Interior finish | Waterproofing tested before any finish goes on |
Our pick: Schedule the membrane before the backfill and before the interior finish, never after.
Decision 8: Install and test
The membrane is applied to the surface, protected, and tested where possible before the backfill or the finish.
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Surface prep | The membrane bonds to a sound surface |
| Membrane and protection | Holds up to the backfill |
| Test and check | Confirms the install |
Our pick: Test before you backfill. It is much harder to fix after.
Decision 9: Documentation and warranty
Record the work before it is covered. Photos, product data and the warranty terms are what protect you later.
| Record | Why |
|---|---|
| Photos before backfill | Shows the membrane and the drainage as built |
| Product data sheet | Confirms the system and the cure |
| Warranty terms | Confirms what is covered and for how long |
Our pick: Photograph and record the membrane before it is covered. It is the proof that the job was done.
Questions
Should I waterproof from the outside or inside?
It depends on the water path. We check and tell you the best option.
Does waterproofing fix a leak?
It stops water getting in, but the cause has to be fixed too. We check both.
How long does it last?
A well-installed system lasts a long time. Drainage and maintenance make the biggest difference.
Talk to the Plug
Tell us where the water is and how it reaches the space. We check the water path, the grade and the drainage, then recommend the system.
Related: Foundation & Crack RepairBalcony RestorationAll contracting
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