Waterproofing & Building Defect Services
From the first drawing to the final repair, and into the courtroom if it comes to that. Independent, evidence-based advice at every stage of a building's life.
Independent Advice You Can Build On
We have no ties to waterproofing contractors or product manufacturers, so our advice serves your project and nothing else. Every service below is delivered by experienced consultants who have worked on the tools, managed defects for a tier-one builder, and given expert evidence.
Waterproofing Design & Specification
We design the waterproofing for new buildings and major renovations, turning the architect's drawings into a buildable, compliant system. We nominate a system for each area, including joints and penetrations, and produce a legend, typical details and a written specification aligned with AS 4654.2, AS 3740 and the NCC. Where possible we keep the design Deemed-to-Satisfy, so it is straightforward to approve and inspect.
Design Review & Drawing Mark-up
Most waterproofing failures are drawn before they are built. We review the architect's detail sheets and wall sections, tracing each membrane through every junction where a facade meets a balcony, roof, terrace or planter. We mark up the drawings directly, flagging missing upturns, unterminated membranes, gaps between systems and non-compliances, so they are fixed on paper rather than on site.
Construction Inspection & Testing
We inspect the waterproofing as it goes in, at agreed hold points before each stage is covered by screed, tiles or pavers. We check substrate preparation, primers, membrane thickness, upturns, terminations and penetrations against the specification, and witness flood tests where required. Each visit produces a photo-referenced report recording what was installed and anything that needs fixing before work proceeds.
Leak Investigation & Water Testing
When water is getting in, we find out where and why. We start with the building's history and a visual inspection, then use targeted water testing, moisture mapping and thermal imaging to isolate the source, keeping damage to a minimum. Our report explains the cause, the extent of damage and the repair needed, so you fix the right thing the first time.
Building Defect & Compliance Assessment
We assess buildings for defects and non-compliance, not just waterproofing. This suits owners corporations, strata managers, builders at handover and purchasers of commercial or development sites. For each defect we record its location, likely cause, the Standard or Code it breaches and a recommended repair. Where it matters, we also identify whether the defect stems from design, product, fabrication or installation.
Remedial Scoping & Remediation Management
Once the problem is understood, we design the fix and see it through. We prepare the remedial scope and specification, tender documents and a cost estimate, help you compare contractor quotes, then inspect the work at key stages until the repair is complete. You get one independent adviser from diagnosis to completion.
Expert Witness & Dispute Support
We prepare independent expert reports for courts, NCAT, insurers and strata disputes involving waterproofing and building defects. Reports follow the Expert Witness Code of Conduct and set out, for each item, the defect, its cause, the breach and the method of repair, with costed scopes where needed. We also review contractor scopes, invoices and claims, and attend joint conferences and hearings.
Testing in Practice
Moisture Mapping
Pinpointing water ingress paths through membrane and substrate layers.
Transition Fillet Verification
Confirming correct fillet geometry at wall-to-floor junctions.
Falls to Waste
Verifying drainage gradients comply with AS 3740-2021 and AS 4654.2-2012 tolerances.
Ultrasonic Thickness Testing
Non-destructive measurement of applied membrane dry film thickness.
Thermal Imaging
FLIR camera inspection revealing moisture-affected areas through heat signature differentials invisible to the naked eye.
Electronic Leak Detection
Low and high voltage testing to precisely locate breaches in waterproofing membranes prior to topping or tiling.
Need an Independent Opinion?
Tell us about your project. No obligation.