Encouraging a more holistic approach to waterproofing

Many waterproofing issues stem from the fact it has traditionally been viewed in isolation from the broader building design. This means there has been little consideration given to how a waterproofing membrane will interact with adjoining sections of a building, or the impact of building deflection on drainage.

This lack of integration needs to change, said Engineers Australia Fellow and Chartered engineer Michael van Koeverden FIEAust CPEng, Director of CQT Services.

A past President of Engineers Australia’s Newcastle Division and past National President of the Concrete Institute of Australia, van Koeverden is Engineers Australia’s representative on a committee convened by the NSW Building Commissioner to improve waterproofing practices. The group will produce technical specifications for waterproofing and development of a formal waterproofing qualification.

“The reason it’s become so apparent that training is needed is because of the extent of water damage in new buildings, and the way waterproofing has been treated in the past,” he told create.

“In many cases, people consider a waterproofing membrane to be a waterproofing solution. We are moving towards a more holistic approach and a new definition of waterproofing, where it’s the collection, redirection and drainage of water, rather than just the application of waterproofing membranes.”

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