Waterproof and Damp-Proof Foundation Walls

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: a completed Foundation Moisture-Control Installation Record documenting product identification and batch numbers, the damp-proofing and waterproofing zone boundaries as installed, primer application, coating or membrane coverage and thickness readings, reinforced transitions and penetrations, inspection results, repairs made, and photographs of the completed system before concealment.

B. Assessed Installation Schedule

Item	Reference Used	Standard	Purpose
Substrate preparation	Approved design and product substrate requirements	Free of fins, voids, cracks, tie holes, laitance, dirt, oil, release agent, moisture, and frost outside product limits	Confirm the surface will accept the specified system
Zone boundaries	Approved moisture-control design	Every wall area matched to its designated damp-proofing or waterproofing zone	Prevent misapplication of the wrong system
Primer and coating/membrane application	Manufacturer instructions	Applied at the manufacturer-controlled coverage or thickness	Confirm the system performs as designed
Reinforcement and penetration sealing	Approved accessories and compatible system components	Corners, cracks, joints, changes in plane, and penetrations reinforced or sealed per the product system	Maintain continuity at high-risk details
Inspection and documentation	Required inspection method	Coverage, adhesion, laps, seams, terminations, and pinholes inspected and recorded before concealment	Confirm the completed system before it is hidden from view

C. Document and Material Takeoff

• Controlling documents: approved moisture-control design, groundwater conditions, drainage plan, product data sheets, substrate requirements, terminations, penetrations, transitions, and inspection hold points, assembled before any preparation begins.
• Product system: specified primer, damp-proofing coating, waterproofing membrane or liquid-applied system, reinforcing fabric or mesh, penetration boots, termination bar, and compatible patch materials, identified by manufacturer and product name.
• Repair materials: substrate repair products compatible with the specified moisture-control system, sufficient to address any defect found in Step 3.
• Escalation contact: a named engineer, designer, or manufacturer technical-support contact identified before installation begins, for use if a substrate or compatibility conflict is found.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Substrate condition	Free of fins, voids, cracks, tie holes, laitance, dirt, oil, release agent, moisture, frost, and incompatible repair materials before application begins
Zone identification	Every wall area matches the damp-proofing or waterproofing zone designated by the approved design; no substitution of one system for the other
Coverage and thickness	Wet-film thickness or coverage rate meets the manufacturer-controlled value at every verified point
Reinforcement and seams	Corners, cracks, joints, changes in plane, and seams reinforced, lapped, and terminated according to the product system, with no holidays, blisters, fishmouths, thin areas, or contamination
Penetrations	Every pipe, conduit, sleeve, and other penetration sealed using compatible system components with no gaps
Cure and testing	System cured or set for the specified period without rain, backfill, impact, or contamination; any required flood, adhesion, or holiday test completed without overstating what the test proves
Documentation	Product, batch, weather, coverage, inspection, and repair record complete, with photographs taken before concealment

E. Preparation — Document Review and Substrate Verification

1. Review the approved moisture-control design, groundwater conditions, drainage plan, product system, substrate requirements, terminations, penetrations, transitions, and inspection hold points. Confirm the document set is complete before proceeding to Step 2.
2. Confirm that concrete curing, form-tie treatment, defect repair, and surface preparation have reached the required condition. Verify against the Project 9 curing record and the Project 8 repair record before continuing.
3. Inspect wall surfaces for fins, voids, cracks, tie holes, laitance, dirt, oil, release agent, moisture, frost, and incompatible repair materials. Record every condition found before continuing.

F. Substrate Repair and Protection

1. Complete all authorized substrate repairs and allow them to reach the required condition. Use only repair materials compatible with the specified moisture-control system.
2. Protect footing drains, openings, adjacent surfaces, hardware, and areas not receiving the product. Mask or cover every surface identified in the approved design as excluded from application.

G. Zone Identification

1. Establish damp-proofing zones, waterproofing zones, transitions, top terminations, bottom terminations, corners, and penetrations. Mark every zone boundary on the wall before application begins.
2. Verify product storage, temperature, shelf life, mixing, coverage, and application equipment. Confirm every product is within its manufacturer-stated limits before opening a container.

H. Application

1. Apply required primer or conditioner to the prepared substrate. Apply only to the areas and at the coverage specified by the manufacturer.
2. Apply the specified damp-proofing coating to designated walls at the manufacturer-controlled coverage or thickness. Verify coverage at multiple points as application proceeds.
3. Install the specified waterproofing membrane or liquid-applied system in designated zones. Follow the manufacturer's application sequence and working-time limits.

I. Reinforcement and Penetration Sealing

1. Reinforce corners, cracks, joints, changes in plane, and transitions using the approved accessories. Install reinforcing fabric or mesh per the product system before the base coat or membrane cures.
2. Seal pipe, conduit, sleeve, tie-hole, and other penetrations using compatible system components. Verify no gap remains at any penetration boundary.
3. Lap, roll, terminate, fasten, or tool membrane seams according to the product system. Set every seam with the specified seam roller or tool before it cures.
4. Maintain continuity between footing, wall, sill, drain, flashing, and protection details. Confirm no gap exists at any transition between systems or building elements.

J. Inspection, Testing, and Documentation

1. Inspect wet-film thickness, coverage, adhesion, laps, seams, terminations, and pinholes using the required method. Use the wet-film thickness gauge at the frequency specified by the manufacturer or approved design.
2. Repair holidays, blisters, fishmouths, thin areas, tears, contamination, and damaged transitions. Use only manufacturer-approved repair procedures and compatible materials.
3. Allow the system to cure or set for the specified period without rain, backfill, impact, or contamination. Barricade or protect the area for the full cure period.
4. Conduct any required flood, adhesion, holiday, or visual testing without overstating what the test proves. Record the test method, duration, and result exactly as performed.
5. Photograph the completed system before insulation or protection board conceals it. Photograph every zone boundary, termination, corner, and penetration seal.
6. Complete the product, batch, weather, coverage, inspection, and repair record. Sign and date the completed Foundation Moisture-Control Installation Record.