What is waterproofing?

Waterproofing is a thin layer of material that is laid over a surface to prevent the penetration of moisture into buildings or parts therein. The material may be a liquid or a sheet.

This layer is continuous and does not allow water to pass through it. For example, on a flat terrace, a waterproofing membrane is laid on the slab, below the finish tiles.

Why do we use waterproofing membrane?

Allowing water to enter building and/or to penetrate behind finishes and into concealed spaces will cause deterioration of the finishes, but more worrisome, the structural fabric of the building.

The deterioration can go unnoticed for years resulting in unhealthy conditions and structural failure. It is common to read articles in the newspapers about balcony collapses. In almost every instance water penetration was the root cause of the collapse. Either by rotting timber framing or corroding reinforcement in concrete. In many of these collapses people have lost their lives.

Any water left standing for 48 hours will promote biological growth, principally mould, but also bacteria. Mould is universally recognised as a danger to human health and the National Construction Code recognises the need to ensure that all buildings are safe to occupy.



Being enshrined in the NCC, we as builders, are legally obliged to ensure the NCC is correctly implemented on all our projects.