What Is a Waterproofing Inspection Checklist?
A waterproofing inspection checklist is used by waterproofing specialists or professionals when they conduct a visual inspection on buildings and houses. They use it to identify the faults and defects in the project as it progresses. The template makes sure that the standard quality is met and complies with regulations.
The places that will undergo scrutiny are the roofs, floors, walls, plumbing, doors, and window.
Roof – check for blocked drains, spots where water can seep through, and where water is ponding. Also, check the ceiling for any seepage issues.
Walls and floors – if waterproofing is compromised, it will seep through the frames and damage the structure.
Plumbing and drains – check if there are downpipes fitted to the gutter so water from the roof can pass through and into the ground. Also, check for blockages, leaks, and drips.
Some of the telling signs that indicate a problem in waterproofing are:
- Mold and mildew growth
- Peeling or blistering paint
- Rust stains on the surface of the concrete
- Efflorescence
- Bubbles in the paint because of water
- Sagging floors
- Wood rot
- Cracked walls
In this article, the following points are explained:
1. The 5 types of waterproofing
2. The importance of inspection test plans
3. Advantages of a digital checklist
What Are the 5 Different Types of Waterproofing?
Waterproofing is necessary for buildings and houses. It creates an impermeable wall against water and moisture. Some places that often need waterproofing are the roofs, walls, kitchen, bathrooms, basements, and more.
Each of these places requires different waterproofing methods. Here are five of the most common:
- Cementitious
- Liquid membrane
- Bituminous membrane
- Bituminous coating
- Polyurethane liquid membrane
1) Cementitious Waterproofing
This method is the most common among the five and is often used in bathrooms. It is also the easiest to do, and the materials can be purchased in most masonry supplies shops.
Cementitious waterproofing is often used when building dams, bridges, tunnels, railways, sewage treatment facilities, and more.
2) Liquid Membrane
The liquid membrane consists of a primer and two topcoats, using either a roller or spray. Because it has a thin concentration, it is more flexible than the cementitious method. When the liquid dries, it looks like a rubbery coating.
Liquid membrane coating is a cost-effective method of waterproofing a new or existing roof. Depending on the coating system that has been used, it can last up to 25 years.
3) Bituminous Coating
Bituminous coating, also called asphalt coating, is a flexible protective coat. It works well in concrete foundations but exposure to direct sunlight will cause it to degrade over time.
4) Bituminous Membrane
It’s a popular waterproofing method in low-slope roofs. The bituminous membrane has a self-adhesive membrane and a torch in the layer.
The torch layer often has granular medical aggregate to withstand the elements. The self-adhesive membrane, on the other hand, consists of asphalt, polymers, and filler.
5) Polyurethane Liquid Membrane
Polyurethane consists of base and reactor — polyol acts as a base while isocyanide is the reactor. The combination creates a liquid coating for waterproofing.
Polyurethane has become a popular choice because it is easy to install and requires less skill and supervision.
What Is the Importance of Inspection Test Plans?
An inspection test plan (ITP) for waterproofing is different from a checklist. While the checklist itemizes the things you need to look out for when conducting assessments, it also serves as a record of all the things you have checked.
An inspection test plan, on the other hand, tells you when to perform an inspection. It might refer to different checklists for every point of the inspection process. It can also be a standard that presents the requirements for the inspection process.
Having both a waterproofing inspection checklist and an ITP ensures workers of a safer work environment.
An ITP indicates when, what, and how the inspection will be conducted, so it meets the necessary standards. It describes critical points at different phases within a process for verifications and scheduled inspections to ensure the job is progressing as planned. It also guarantees that all materials, equipment, and systems are of the highest quality.
Overpassing the inspection can cause a lot of headaches further down the line. Although waterproofing makes up less than 0.5 percent of the construction cost of a building, it accounts for the majority of issues and renovation costs seen later down the line.
Small leaks in waterproof membranes can remain undetected for many years while causing damage to your studs, bottom plates, plasterboards, flooring, and structural beams. These undetected leaks become the perfect breeding grounds for dangerous molds and bacteria.
To prevent all these problems from happening, regular checkup as work progresses is a must. The consistent quality control check using your inspection test plan will also help you improve your work processes and find ways of improving efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
What Are the Benefits of a Digital Waterproofing Checklist?
Water, although useful in many aspects of construction, like making concrete and mortar, has no place in the end results of a building or structure. Water damage accounts for 20 billion dollars annually in households alone. Not to mention, it can cause harmful health risks due to mold and mildew overgrowth. Preventing expensive home and building repairs starts with quality waterproofing during the construction process. A checklist is a handy tool to ensure that construction workers are properly waterproofing the foundation, walls, roofs, and floors, and inspectors don’t miss the signs of a broken seal.
Lumiform offers an innovative solution to regular old pen and paper checklists. With the super intuitive mobile app, Lumiform provides inspectors and construction workers alike the opportunity to speed up the auditing process by 30-40%.
Other benefits include:
- Continuously optimize procedures – The Lumi flow allows app users to create new checklists, assign tasks, and freely communicate with colleagues about any hitch in the process.
- Receive automatic reports – Lumiform automatically bundles data from every inspection into a digital report. This allows you to identify problem areas and address them accordingly.
- Protect your brand – Because the app allows you to have complete oversight of the whole auditing process, you will be automatically notified of any problems on-site.
- Save time – Save time with easier analysis and faster identification of areas that need your attention.
