Waterproofing is a very important and broad subject. Poor waterproofing not only affects a structure’s serviceability – a leaking roof being the obvious example – but also its durability, with water penetration being a major contributor to concrete deterioration. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for waterproofing. Structures are subjected to different stresses depending on exposure conditions. For example, an open roof slab may not be under hydrostatic pressure but suffers the effects of sudden temperature changes and wet/dry conditions. On the other hand, a deep basement structure may be in aggressive soil conditions and is likely subject to hydrostatic pressure.

The speaker will attempt to make sense of this complex subject by looking at common waterproofing problems, the different parts of building structures requiring waterproofing and the important criteria governing selection of the right solution. For example, how important is a waterproofing membrane’s elongation value for the application you are considering? The presentation will also cover best practices for successful waterproofing – for example, the importance of surface preparation and detailing – as well as some practical case studies.