ForConstructionPros.com

Warranties
Part of what sells waterproofing is the warranty. For below-grade jobs, Kazemi offers a three-year warranty. Approved ProtectoWrap applicators who have their work inspected and approved by the manufacturer give a 10-year manufacturer's warranty. Stephens & Smith offers five-, 10- or 20-year written manufacturer's warranties depending on the additives and layers of protection chosen by the customer. Mar-Flex provides a 10-year warranty which Excel Concrete stretches to 25 years.

Preventing damage to the waterproofing
Things that happen on the jobsite after the waterproofing is finished can damage it. "The waterproofing can be damaged in the backfill process or the wall can be cracked then and damage the waterproofing," Richert notes. "Or they don't grade the drainage away correctly and the water ponds and eventually finds a way in. Correct landscaping, grading and downspouts are needed. Landscapers can create pockets so areas don't drain or may put a sprinkler head too close to the foundation." To avoid these problems, waterproofers need to talk to the landscapers, excavators and builders about how they should do their work to prevent problems that could affect the waterproofing. Subs who cut holes in the wall for utility lines may damage membrane waterproofing.

Wernimont recommends waiting 24 hours for the waterproofing product to cure before backfilling to prevent damage. Excel Concrete has two workers on each foundation waterproofing installation, one running the sprayer and the other putting up 1⁄4-in. drain and dry board as the spraying is completed. "This wicks the water down to the tile to keep it away from the wall and routes it to the sump pit while protecting the waterproofing," notes Greemann. Waiting too long to backfill can damage membrane waterproofing because excessive ultraviolet exposure can cause the upper portion of the membrane to delaminate.

The bottom line
Waterproofing can be more profitable than building the concrete foundation or basement. With the sheet membrane system, it takes about a week to waterproof a $10,000 concrete job, and the contractor will be paid about $1,500 for the waterproofing work. Kazemi says adding waterproofing has added 3 to 5 percent to his profits.

At Stephens & Smith, waterproofing adds only $500-$600 to a $15,000-$16,000 home foundation, and the work is done in three to four hours. They are hired to waterproof almost all of their foundation jobs, as is Excel Concrete, where the price is $1,200 to $1,800 per job and the work is finished in 90 minutes or less. At Tri-State, waterproofing for a $25,000 foundation costs the buyer $1,500 and takes two hours at most. While Greemann says waterproofing has not increased business much, it has pumped up profits 5 to 6 percent.