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SynC · Editorial revision

Below-Grade Waterproofing

Revision8
EditedAug 29, 2026
StatusCurrent
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Current revision. This is editorial revision 8, the current text of this standard. Read it on the standard's page.

SynC Standards Team — Specifier (Platform Standards) ✓ OfficialDiscloses employment SynC (SynC Platform Team)
Neutrality remake campaign: from-scratch field derivation per authoring cheatsheet; project parameters and derived dispositions

1 Scope

NOTE This standard covers the waterproofing membrane applied to below-grade walls and slabs that retain earth and enclose interior space, together with the substrate preparation beneath it, the terminations and detailing that close its edges and openings, the protection course that shields it, the drainage layer that bears against it, and the field verification that proves it watertight. (1.1)
NOTE Waterproofing and dampproofing are distinct levels of protection with distinct code triggers. IBC Section 1805.3 requires waterproofing where the groundwater investigation indicates that a hydrostatic pressure condition exists and the design does not include a groundwater control system; IBC Section 1805.2 requires dampproofing where hydrostatic pressure will not occur. Dampproofing resists soil moisture moving by capillary action and vapor diffusion; waterproofing resists liquid water under head. (1.2)
NOTE The following are outside this standard and are specified elsewhere: (1.3)
  • Dampproofing of below-grade walls and slabs in non-hydrostatic conditions, specified in DampproofingDampproofingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/dampproofing
  • Perimeter drain, sub-slab drainage layer, sump, and discharge design, specified in Foundation DrainageFoundation DrainageResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/foundation-drainage
  • Under-slab vapor retarders installed for vapor control rather than waterproofing, specified in Vapor Barriers Under SlabUnder-Slab Vapor BarriersResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/vapor-barriers-under-slab
  • Plaza deck and parking structure waterproofing over occupied space, specified in Membrane RoofingMembrane RoofingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/membrane-roofing
  • Waterproofing of tanks, reservoirs, pools, and other water-containment structures
  • Crystalline and hydrophilic waterproofing admixtures batched into the concrete mix, specified in Cast In Place ConcreteCast-in-Place ConcreteResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/cast-in-place-concrete
  • Waterstops cast into concrete joints, specified in Concrete Joints And WaterstopsConcrete Construction Joints and WaterstopsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/concrete-joints-and-waterstops
  • The above-grade air barrier and water-resistive barrier plane, specified in Air BarriersAir BarriersResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/air-barriers
1.4 The Engineer of Record shall establish the design groundwater elevation and the seasonal high groundwater elevation from a site-specific geotechnical investigation before the waterproofing system is selected.
1.5 The waterproofing system shall be selected and detailed for the seasonal high groundwater elevation rather than for the groundwater elevation observed at the time of the investigation.
NOTE An investigation borehole records the water table on the day it was drilled. A system selected for that reading is at its design limit during the spring thaw and during extended rain events, which are the conditions under which below-grade leakage is reported. (1.6)
NOTE Below-grade waterproofing performs as an assembly. A membrane correctly matched to the design condition still admits water when the substrate is unsound, the protection course is omitted, the drainage layer is absent, or a penetration is left undetailed, and none of those defects are reachable for repair once the excavation is backfilled. (1.7)
NOTE Reported below-grade leakage concentrates at construction joints, movement joints, penetrations, tie-ins between adjacent membrane types, and terminations at the edges of the system rather than in the membrane field. (1.8)
1.9 The below-grade waterproofing membrane shall be made continuous with the above-grade water-resistive barrier specified in Air BarriersAir BarriersResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/air-barriers at the transition above finished grade.
1.10 Responsibility for installing the transition between the below-grade membrane and the above-grade water-resistive barrier shall be assigned to a single trade at the pre-installation conference and recorded in the conference report.
1.11 Concrete substrate quality, joint layout, and form-tie treatment shall comply with Cast In Place ConcreteCast-in-Place ConcreteResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/cast-in-place-concrete.
1.12 Backfill materials, placement, and compaction adjacent to waterproofed surfaces shall comply with EarthworkEarthworkResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/earthwork as modified by the lift and equipment limits of this standard.
1.13 Where exterior insulation is applied to the below-grade wall, its placement relative to the membrane shall comply with Building Thermal InsulationBuilding Thermal InsulationResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/building-thermal-insulation.

2 Referenced Standards

2.1 Materials, testing, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited.
2.2 Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
Standard Title
International Building Code Section 1805, Dampproofing and Waterproofing
ASTM C836/C836M High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane for Use with Separate Wearing Course
ASTM C898/C898M Use of High Solids Content, Cold Liquid-Applied Elastomeric Waterproofing Membrane with Separate Wearing Course
ASTM D903 Peel or Stripping Strength of Adhesive Bonds
ASTM D1621 Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
ASTM D4263 Indicating Moisture in Concrete by the Plastic Sheet Method
ASTM D4716/D4716M Determining the In-Plane Flow Rate per Unit Width and Hydraulic Transmissivity of a Geosynthetic Using a Constant Head
ASTM D5295/D5295M Preparation of Concrete Surfaces for Adhered (Bonded) Membrane Waterproofing Systems
ASTM D5385/D5385M Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance of Waterproofing Membranes
ASTM D5957 Flood Testing Horizontal Waterproofing Installations
ASTM D6506/D6506M Asphalt-Based Protection Board for Below-Grade Waterproofing
ASTM D7832/D7832M Performance Attributes of Waterproofing Membranes Applied to Below-Grade Walls / Vertical Surfaces (Enclosing Interior Spaces)
ASTM D7877 Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in Waterproof Membranes
ASTM D8425 Use of Sodium Bentonite Needle-Punched Geotextile Waterproofing Systems with Cast-in-Place Concrete Below-Grade Foundation Construction
ASTM F1869 Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
ASTM F2170 Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes
ACI PRC-515.2 Selecting Protective Treatments for Concrete
ACI PRC-515.3 Assessment and Surface Preparation for Application of Protection Systems for Concrete
ICRI 310.2R Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer Overlays, and Concrete Repair
NOTE ASTM D7832/D7832M establishes performance attributes for membranes on below-grade walls and does not address bentonite systems, membranes beneath slabs on grade, or membranes applied to soil retaining systems; ASTM D8425 covers the bentonite geotextile family, including application against support of excavation and beneath pressure slabs. (2.3)

3 Submittals

3.1 Action Submittals

3.1.1 The Contractor shall submit the items indicated in the datasheet for the Engineer of Record's review before procurement of waterproofing materials.
  • Product data for the membrane, primer, detail tapes and mastics, reinforcing fabric, termination bars, and sealants, identifying each product by its published designation and thickness or application rate
  • Hydrostatic pressure resistance test report for the membrane in accordance with ASTM D5385/D5385M, reporting the head sustained and the duration
  • Performance attribute test reports for wall membranes in accordance with ASTM D7832/D7832M
  • Peel adhesion test report for pre-applied bonded sheet membranes in accordance with ASTM D903, reporting adhesion to concrete cast against the membrane after water immersion
  • Protection course product data, including class in accordance with ASTM D6506/D6506M where an asphalt-based board is proposed, or compressive strength in accordance with ASTM D1621 where a board product is proposed
  • Drainage composite product data, including in-plane flow rate in accordance with ASTM D4716/D4716M at the design normal stress and hydraulic gradient
  • Shop drawings showing the extent of each membrane type, the elevation of the top of waterproofing, transitions between membrane types, and the tie-in to the above-grade water-resistive barrier
  • Detail drawings at inside and outside corners, pipe and conduit penetrations, form-tie and snap-tie locations, construction joints, movement joints, footing-to-wall transitions, and terminations
  • Written confirmation from the membrane manufacturer that the submitted primer, tapes, mastics, sealants, and protection course are compatible with the submitted membrane
  • Installer qualification statement, including the manufacturer approval or license where required by the datasheet
Action Submittals Requiredcheckbox
☑ Product data for membrane, primer, tapes, and accessories
☑ Hydrostatic pressure resistance test report
☐ Wall membrane performance attribute test reports
☐ Peel adhesion test report for pre-applied bonded sheet
☐ Protection course product data
☐ Drainage composite in-plane flow rate report
☑ Shop drawings showing membrane extent and transitions
☑ Detail drawings at corners, penetrations, joints, and terminations
☑ Written material compatibility confirmation
☑ Installer qualification statement
3.1.2 No portion of the waterproofing installation shall proceed until the action submittals covering that portion have been reviewed and returned.
3.1.3 Detail drawings shall be project-specific and shall show the actual substrate conditions, not generic conditions reproduced from published literature.
NOTE A generic detail set cannot be checked against the conditions that produce leakage, because the conditions that produce leakage are the ones the published details do not anticipate. (3.1.4)

3.2 Informational Submittals

3.2.1 The Contractor shall submit the items indicated in the datasheet during the course of the work.
  • Substrate acceptance report signed by the waterproofing installer, recording the surface profile, moisture verification result, and any defects corrected before membrane application
  • Daily application records for each day on which membrane is applied, recording air and surface temperature, the area covered, the material lot numbers used, and the applied thickness or application rate verified in the field
  • Wet-film and dry-film thickness readings for fluid-applied and hot-applied membranes, recorded on a grid across each day's application area
  • Manufacturer field representative reports for each site visit, recording the observations made and any corrective work directed
  • Field watertightness test reports for each area tested, recording the method, the duration, the observed result, and the location of any leak found
Informational Submittals Requiredcheckbox
☑ Substrate acceptance report signed by the installer
☑ Daily application records
☐ Wet-film and dry-film thickness readings
☑ Manufacturer field representative reports
☑ Field watertightness test reports

3.3 Closeout Submittals

3.3.1 The Contractor shall submit the items indicated in the datasheet before the waterproofing installation is accepted.
  • Record drawings showing the as-installed extent of each membrane type, the elevation of the top of waterproofing, and the locations of transitions between membrane types
  • Manufacturer's written warranty made out to the Owner, in the form and for the period indicated in the datasheet
  • Installer's written workmanship warranty made out to the Owner, for the period indicated in the datasheet
  • Repair procedure covering the installed membrane, identifying the materials and the sequence for repairing a defect discovered after backfill
  • Photographic record of the completed membrane at penetrations, joints, corners, and terminations, indexed to the record drawings and taken before the protection course was installed
Closeout Submittals Requiredcheckbox
☑ Record drawings of as-installed membrane extent
☑ Manufacturer's written warranty made out to the Owner
☑ Installer's written workmanship warranty made out to the Owner
☐ Membrane repair procedure
☑ Indexed photographic record of detail locations
NOTE The photographic record is the only means by which a detail can be examined after backfill, and it is the record that determines whether a later leak is investigated as a workmanship defect or as a design condition. (3.3.2)

4 Quality Assurance

4.1 Installer Qualifications

4.1.1 The waterproofing installer's manufacturer approval shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Installer Manufacturer Approvalradio
● Required
○ Not required
4.1.2 The waterproofing installer shall have completed below-grade waterproofing work of comparable membrane type and comparable groundwater condition for not less than the period indicated in the datasheet.
Minimum Installer Experiencerange
years
2351020
4.1.3 A single supervisor employed by the waterproofing installer shall be present on site whenever membrane, primer, or detail materials are being applied.
4.1.4 Where the installer's manufacturer approval lapses or is withdrawn during the course of the work, the Contractor shall notify the Engineer of Record in writing within 5 business days and shall suspend membrane application until a replacement installer is accepted.

4.2 Pre-Installation Conference

4.2.1 The Contractor shall convene a pre-installation conference on site before any substrate preparation for waterproofing begins.
4.2.2 The pre-installation conference shall be attended by the Contractor, the concrete subcontractor, the waterproofing installer, the earthwork subcontractor, the trades whose work penetrates the waterproofed surfaces, the membrane manufacturer's field representative where required by the datasheet, and the Engineer of Record.
4.2.3 The conference shall review the substrate acceptance criteria, the sequence of membrane application relative to concrete placement and backfill, the detailing at each penetration and joint condition, the assignment of the tie-in to the above-grade water-resistive barrier, the protection and drainage sequence, and the watertightness test plan.
4.2.4 The Contractor shall record the conference in a written report distributed to every attendee within 5 business days, and the report shall state each unresolved item and the party responsible for resolving it.
NOTE The pre-installation conference exists because the below-grade membrane is installed by one trade across surfaces built by another and penetrated by several more, and each of those interfaces is a location at which no single trade owns the result. (4.2.5)

4.3 Manufacturer Field Representation

4.3.1 The membrane manufacturer's field representative shall make not less than the number of site visits indicated in the datasheet.
Manufacturer Field Representative — Minimum Site Visitsrange
visits
124612
4.3.2 Where one or more site visits are indicated in the datasheet, one visit shall occur on the first day of membrane application.
4.3.3 The manufacturer's field representative shall have no authority to waive a requirement of the Contract Documents, and any deviation the representative recommends shall be submitted to the Engineer of Record for written direction before it is executed.

5 Design Groundwater Basis

5.1 The design groundwater condition shall be as indicated in the datasheet and shall be the same condition used for the Foundation DrainageFoundation DrainageResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/foundation-drainage scope.
Design Groundwater Conditionradio
○ Non-hydrostatic
○ Intermittently hydrostatic
○ Continuously hydrostatic
Per drawings — geotechnical investigation report (deferred by default)
NOTE The three design groundwater conditions are distinguished by where the seasonal high water table stands relative to the below-grade assembly. (5.2)
  • Non-hydrostatic: the seasonal high water table remains below the underside of the lowest slab, and the assembly is exposed to soil moisture, perched water, and infiltration through backfill
  • Intermittently hydrostatic: the seasonal high water table rises into the below-grade assembly for part of the year
  • Continuously hydrostatic: the water table stands at or above the lowest slab elevation for most of the year
5.3 The design hydrostatic head at the lowest waterproofed elevation shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Design Hydrostatic Head at the Lowest Waterproofed Elevationrange
ft
0100
Per drawings — geotechnical investigation report (deferred by default)
NOTE The design groundwater condition selects the class of protection, and the design hydrostatic head sets the magnitude the membrane and its details must resist. A condition can be intermittently hydrostatic at 2 ft of head or at 20 ft, and those two projects do not take the same membrane, the same lap, or the same detail at a penetration. (5.4)
NOTE Where the design groundwater condition is non-hydrostatic, the code trigger for waterproofing is not met and the assembly is dampproofed instead; the datasheet records that outcome by indicating the waterproofing material type as not required. (5.5)
NOTE Owners on some projects require waterproofing where the code requires only dampproofing, and that is a program decision rather than a code determination. Where the below-grade space holds contents whose damage cost exceeds the cost of the assembly, the waterproofing decision follows from the consequence of a leak rather than from the water table elevation. (5.6)

6 Waterproofing System Selection

6.1 The application method for below-grade wall waterproofing shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Wall Waterproofing Application Methodradio
○ Positive-side, applied to the outboard face after concrete placement
○ Negative-side, applied to the inboard face after concrete placement
○ Pre-applied blindside, applied before concrete placement
Per drawings — foundation plan and excavation support drawings (deferred by default)
NOTE The application method follows from how the wall is built rather than from a preference among membranes. A wall built inside an open excavation presents its outboard face for positive-side work; a wall cast against a soldier pile and lagging wall, a slurry wall, or a shotcrete face has no accessible outboard face and takes a pre-applied membrane installed against the support of excavation before the reinforcing and concrete go in; a wall already built and backfilled presents only its inboard face. (6.2)
NOTE Negative-side waterproofing leaves the structural concrete saturated because the water is stopped at the interior face rather than at the exterior face. Where the concrete contains embedded metal, is subject to freeze-thaw cycling, or carries a finish sensitive to alkalinity, that saturation is a condition the design must account for. (6.3)
6.4 The waterproofing material type for below-grade walls shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Wall Waterproofing Material Typeselect
Self-adhering modified bituminous sheet
Cold fluid-applied elastomeric membrane
Hot-applied rubberized asphalt
Sodium bentonite geotextile composite
Pre-applied bonded sheet membrane
Surface-applied cementitious crystalline coating
Not required
6.5 The waterproofing material type beneath slabs shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Slab Waterproofing Material Typeselect
Self-adhering modified bituminous sheet
Cold fluid-applied elastomeric membrane
Hot-applied rubberized asphalt
Sodium bentonite geotextile composite
Pre-applied bonded sheet membrane
Surface-applied cementitious crystalline coating
Not required
NOTE The wall material and the slab material are separate selections because they are applied under different conditions. The slab membrane is placed on a mud slab or prepared subgrade and is loaded in compression by the slab cast on it; the wall membrane is applied to a vertical face and is loaded by backfill and by the drainage layer bearing against it. (6.6)
6.7 Where the wall waterproofing material type is indicated as not required, below-grade walls shall be dampproofed in accordance with DampproofingDampproofingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/dampproofing.
6.8 Where the slab waterproofing material type is indicated as not required, an under-slab vapor retarder shall be provided in accordance with Vapor Barriers Under SlabUnder-Slab Vapor BarriersResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/vapor-barriers-under-slab where required by the design.
6.9 Where the wall application method is pre-applied blindside, the wall waterproofing material shall be a type formulated for pre-application that develops a bond to the concrete cast against it or that seals against the concrete by swelling.
NOTE A pre-applied membrane that is not bonded to the concrete leaves an annular space between the membrane and the wall. Water entering that space at a single defect migrates laterally along the wall and appears at the interior at a location unrelated to the defect, which is why the defect cannot be located from the interior symptom. (6.10)
6.11 Where the wall application method is negative-side, the wall waterproofing material shall be a type that resists the applied head from the side opposite the water.
6.12 Where a single below-grade enclosure uses more than one waterproofing material type, the transition between the two shall be shown on the shop drawings and detailed with a material the manufacturers of both membranes have confirmed in writing to be compatible with their products.
6.13 The membrane shall be documented, by test in accordance with ASTM D5385/D5385M, to resist a hydrostatic head not less than the design hydrostatic head indicated in the datasheet.
NOTE ASTM D5385/D5385M states that no correlation has been established between performance in the laboratory test and performance in the field. A published head rating establishes the resistance of the membrane sheet under controlled laboratory conditions; it is not a prediction of the watertightness of the installed assembly, which is governed by the details and the substrate. (6.14)

7 Self-Adhering Modified Bituminous Sheet Membrane

7.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is self-adhering modified bituminous sheet.
NOTE Self-adhering modified bituminous sheet is a factory-laminated roll product consisting of a rubberized asphalt adhesive compound bonded to a carrier film, supplied with a release liner and applied cold. Its thickness is controlled in the factory, so the field variable is adhesion rather than applied thickness. (7.2)
7.3 The minimum thickness of self-adhering sheet membrane on walls shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Self-Adhering Sheet Membrane — Minimum Thickness on Wallsrange
mil
40506080100
7.4 The minimum thickness of self-adhering sheet membrane beneath slabs shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Self-Adhering Sheet Membrane — Minimum Thickness Beneath Slabsrange
mil
406080100120
7.5 The membrane thickness selected shall not be less than the thickness for which the manufacturer publishes compliance with the design hydrostatic head indicated in the datasheet.
NOTE Membrane beneath a slab carries the construction traffic, the reinforcing placement, and the concrete placement operation before it is ever loaded by water, and the damage it takes is concentrated in that window rather than in service. Thickness on a slab is therefore a puncture and abuse decision as much as a hydrostatic one. (7.6)
7.7 The membrane shall be rolled with a weighted roller over the full sheet area, including laps, immediately after the release liner is removed and the sheet is positioned.
NOTE Self-adhering sheet develops its bond under pressure, not under contact. A sheet placed by hand and not rolled is in contact with the substrate and is not adhered to it, and the difference is not visible on the finished surface. (7.8)
7.9 Sheets shall be applied to vertical surfaces in lengths that can be positioned and rolled without the sheet folding back on itself.
7.10 Fishmouths, wrinkles, and blisters shall be slit, pressed flat, and covered with a patch of the same membrane extending not less than 6 in. beyond the slit in every direction.

8 Cold Fluid-Applied Elastomeric Membrane

8.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is a cold fluid-applied elastomeric membrane.
NOTE Cold fluid-applied membrane is applied as a liquid and cures in place to a seamless film. It conforms to irregular substrates and complex penetrations without seams, and its thickness is established in the field by the applicator rather than in the factory. (8.2)
8.3 The membrane shall comply with ASTM C836/C836M and shall be applied in accordance with ASTM C898/C898M.
8.4 The minimum dry-film thickness of the cold fluid-applied membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cold Fluid-Applied Membrane — Minimum Dry-Film Thicknessrange
mil
406080100125
8.5 The number of coats in which the cold fluid-applied membrane is applied shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cold Fluid-Applied Membrane — Number of Coatsrange
coats
123
8.6 The extent of reinforcing fabric in the cold fluid-applied membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cold Fluid-Applied Membrane — Reinforcing Fabric Extentradio
○ Full-field reinforcement
○ Reinforcement at detail locations
○ No reinforcement
NOTE Reinforcing fabric holds the wet film at its intended thickness on a vertical surface and bridges movement at a crack or joint beneath the membrane. A field without reinforcement thins at the top of each vertical run as the wet material sags, and the thinnest point is the point at which the film is tested by head. (8.7)
8.8 Where more than one coat is indicated, each coat shall be applied in a direction perpendicular to the coat beneath it, and each coat shall be applied within the recoat window published by the manufacturer for the substrate temperature at the time of application.
8.9 Wet-film thickness shall be verified with a wet-film gauge at intervals not exceeding 100 ft² during application of each coat, and dry-film thickness shall be verified after cure at intervals not exceeding 500 ft².
NOTE Fluid-applied thickness is verified during application because it cannot be corrected afterward without recoating the area, and a fluid-applied membrane that cures thin looks identical to one that cures at the specified thickness. (8.10)

9 Hot-Applied Rubberized Asphalt Membrane

9.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is hot-applied rubberized asphalt.
NOTE Hot-applied rubberized asphalt is heated to a pourable consistency, applied in a monolithic layer with an embedded reinforcing sheet, and cools to a self-healing membrane of substantial thickness. Its thickness and its ability to reseal around a small puncture are what distinguish it from the cold-applied families. (9.2)
9.3 The minimum total applied thickness of hot-applied rubberized asphalt shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Hot-Applied Rubberized Asphalt — Minimum Total Applied Thicknessrange
mil
90125180215250
9.4 The membrane shall be applied in two coats with a reinforcing sheet fully embedded between them.
9.5 The melter shall be equipped with a working thermometer indicating the temperature of the material and with a mechanical agitator that operates continuously while the material is heated.
9.6 Material heated above the manufacturer's published maximum safe heating temperature, or held at application temperature longer than the manufacturer's published maximum holding time, shall be removed from the melter and discarded at the Contractor's cost.
NOTE Rubberized asphalt degrades by prolonged heating rather than by a single overheating event, and the degradation is not apparent in the applied material. The melter thermometer and the holding-time limit exist because the failure is a materials failure that cannot be found by inspecting the finished membrane. (9.7)
9.8 Applied thickness shall be verified with a depth gauge at intervals not exceeding 100 ft² while the material is still workable.

10 Sodium Bentonite Geotextile Composite Membrane

10.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is a sodium bentonite geotextile composite.
NOTE Sodium bentonite geotextile composite is a panel of granular sodium bentonite contained between two needle-punched geotextiles. It waterproofs by hydrating on contact with water and swelling against the confinement of the surrounding construction, so it seals rather than sheds, and it can reseal around a puncture that stays confined. (10.2)
10.3 The system shall be used in accordance with ASTM D8425.
10.4 The minimum bentonite mass per unit area of the composite shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Sodium Bentonite Composite — Minimum Bentonite Mass per Unit Arearange
lb/ft²
0.7511.251.5
10.5 Bentonite composite panels shall be confined on all sides by the surrounding construction, by the concrete cast against them, or by mechanically restrained backfill before the bentonite is allowed to hydrate.
NOTE Bentonite that hydrates without confinement expands, loses density, and does not recover that density when it dries. An unconfined panel that takes rain in the excavation before the wall is cast is spent before it is loaded. (10.6)
10.7 Panels shall be protected from precipitation and from standing water in the excavation until they are confined, and panels that have hydrated before confinement shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor's cost.
NOTE ASTM D8425 does not cover bentonite composites installed against masonry, precast concrete, or shotcrete, and it does not cover bentonite bonded to a geomembrane, corrugated-paper-carrier bentonite, or spray-applied bentonite. Where the substrate or the product falls outside that coverage, the design basis for the installation comes from the manufacturer's published data rather than from the ASTM guide. (10.8)

11 Pre-Applied Bonded Sheet Membrane

11.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is a pre-applied bonded sheet membrane.
NOTE Pre-applied bonded sheet membrane is a thermoplastic carrier sheet coated with an adhesive layer that is activated by the concrete cast against it, forming a bond to the finished structure. Because the bond forms during concrete placement, the membrane is installed with its adhesive face outward against the excavation support and is never accessible again. (11.2)
11.3 The minimum total thickness of the pre-applied bonded sheet membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Pre-Applied Bonded Sheet Membrane — Minimum Total Thicknessrange
mil
3040506080100
11.4 The minimum peel adhesion of the pre-applied bonded sheet membrane to concrete cast against it shall be as indicated in the datasheet, tested in accordance with ASTM D903 after water immersion.
Pre-Applied Bonded Sheet Membrane — Minimum Peel Adhesion to Cast Concreterange
lbf/in
215
NOTE Peel adhesion after immersion is the property that distinguishes a pre-applied bonded membrane from a loose-laid sheet. A bond that survives dry testing but releases after immersion produces an unbonded membrane in service, which is the condition under which a single defect drains the whole wall. (11.5)
11.6 The membrane shall be installed with the adhesive face oriented toward the concrete to be cast and shall be secured to the excavation support so that it cannot displace during reinforcing placement or concrete placement.
11.7 Reinforcing steel, form ties, chairs, and embedded items shall not penetrate the pre-applied membrane.
11.8 Where a penetration of the pre-applied membrane cannot be avoided, it shall be sealed with the manufacturer's detail materials before concrete is placed, and the location shall be recorded on the record drawings.
11.9 Concrete shall not be placed against the pre-applied membrane until the Contractor has inspected the full membrane area for punctures, unsealed laps, and displacement, and has recorded that inspection.
NOTE The inspection before concrete placement is the last opportunity to see this membrane. After the pour there is no side from which a defect can be found, no side from which it can be repaired, and no relationship between where water appears inside and where it entered. (11.10)

12 Surface-Applied Cementitious Crystalline Coating

12.1 Requirements in this article apply where the wall or slab waterproofing material type indicated in the datasheet is a surface-applied cementitious crystalline coating.
NOTE Surface-applied cementitious crystalline coating is a cement-based slurry containing reactive chemicals that migrate into the concrete pore structure and form insoluble crystals in the presence of water, reducing the permeability of the concrete itself rather than forming a separate film over it. Because the treatment becomes part of the concrete, it can be applied to the face opposite the water. (12.2)
12.3 The number of coats of cementitious crystalline coating shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Cementitious Crystalline Coating — Number of Coatsrange
coats
123
12.4 The concrete substrate shall be saturated surface-dry at the time the coating is applied, and the coating shall be wet-cured for the period published by the manufacturer.
NOTE A crystalline coating reacts with water in the concrete. Applied to a dry substrate or left to dry before it has reacted, the material remains a surface film with no crystal growth in the pore structure, which is the mechanism the treatment is selected for. (12.5)
12.6 Cracks, honeycomb, cold joints, tie holes, and any other discontinuity in the concrete shall be routed and repaired before the coating is applied.
NOTE A crystalline treatment reduces the permeability of sound concrete and does not span a discontinuity. Where a crack is wider than the crystal growth can bridge, the treatment leaves the crack as the path it was. (12.7)

13 Concrete Substrate Preparation

13.1 Concrete surfaces receiving an adhered membrane shall be prepared in accordance with ASTM D5295/D5295M.
13.2 The minimum age of the concrete substrate before membrane application shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Concrete Substrate — Minimum Age Before Membrane Applicationrange
days
37142128
13.3 Where the membrane manufacturer publishes a minimum substrate age for the specific product that differs from the datasheet value, the longer period shall govern.
NOTE Products formulated for application to green concrete carry a published minimum age shorter than the value most projects specify, and the datasheet minimum can be set to zero where such a product is selected and the schedule requires it. (13.4)
13.5 The method of verifying concrete surface moisture before membrane application shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Concrete Surface Moisture Verification Methodradio
● Plastic sheet method
○ Anhydrous calcium chloride method
○ In-situ relative humidity probe
○ Not required
13.6 Where the plastic sheet method is indicated, the test shall be performed in accordance with ASTM D4263, the sheet shall remain in place not less than 16 h, and membrane shall not be applied where condensation is present on the underside of the sheet or where the concrete beneath it has darkened.
13.7 Where the anhydrous calcium chloride method is indicated, the test shall be performed in accordance with ASTM F1869; where the in-situ relative humidity probe method is indicated, the test shall be performed in accordance with ASTM F2170.
13.8 The moisture limit for each of these methods shall be the limit published by the membrane manufacturer for the product being applied.
13.9 The minimum concrete surface profile shall be as indicated in the datasheet, evaluated against the ICRI 310.2R replica profiles.
Minimum Concrete Surface Profileselect
ICRI CSP 1
ICRI CSP 2
ICRI CSP 3
ICRI CSP 4
ICRI CSP 5
ICRI CSP 6
NOTE An adhered sheet membrane and a fluid-applied membrane do not want the same profile. A sheet needs a surface smooth enough to make continuous contact under roller pressure; a fluid-applied coating needs enough texture to key into. Specifying one profile for both leaves one of them poorly bonded. (13.10)
13.11 The maximum substrate surface irregularity measured under a 10 ft straightedge shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Maximum Substrate Surface Irregularity Under a 10 ft Straightedgerange
in
0.1250.250.3750.5
13.12 Form-tie holes, honeycomb, voids, spalls, and cracks wider than 1/16 in. shall be filled flush with a cementitious repair material compatible with the membrane before the membrane is applied.
13.13 Fins, form offsets, and mortar droppings shall be removed and the surface ground flush.
13.14 Curing compounds, form release agents, laitance, dust, oil, and any other bond-breaking contaminant shall be removed from surfaces receiving an adhered membrane.
NOTE A curing compound is applied by one trade to protect the concrete and removed by another trade to allow the membrane to bond, and the removal is the step that is skipped when the two trades do not meet. This is a standing item for the pre-installation conference. (13.15)
13.16 The waterproofing installer shall inspect and accept the prepared substrate in writing before membrane application begins, and shall not apply membrane over a substrate the installer has not accepted.
13.17 Where the waterproofing installer and the Contractor disagree whether a prepared substrate is acceptable, the Engineer of Record shall make the initial determination.
13.18 Primer application shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Primer Applicationradio
○ Required on all substrates receiving membrane
○ Not required
Manufacturer's standard (by default)
13.19 Where the datasheet leaves primer application to the manufacturer's standard practice, the membrane manufacturer's published substrate and primer schedule for the products supplied shall govern, and the Contractor shall submit that schedule with the product data.
13.20 Primer shall be applied only to the area that can be covered with membrane within the primer's published open time, and primed area that is not covered within that time shall be re-primed.

14 Application Temperature and Weather Limits

14.1 The minimum air and surface temperature during membrane application shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Minimum Air and Surface Temperature During Applicationrange
°F
202532405060
14.2 Membrane shall not be applied when the air or surface temperature is below the datasheet value or below the membrane manufacturer's published minimum application temperature, whichever is higher.
NOTE Cold-weather formulations of self-adhering sheet and fluid-applied membranes carry published minimum application temperatures below those of the standard formulations, so the datasheet minimum can be set below freezing where such a product is selected. (14.3)
14.4 Membrane shall not be applied to a substrate carrying frost, ice, standing water, or visible surface moisture.
14.5 Membrane shall not be applied during precipitation, and any membrane, primer, or detail material exposed to precipitation before it has set shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor's cost.
14.6 The maximum period the applied membrane may remain exposed before it is covered by the protection course shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Maximum Membrane Exposure Before Coverrange
days
1714306090180
14.7 Where the membrane manufacturer publishes a maximum exposure period for the product shorter than the datasheet value, the shorter period shall govern.
NOTE The exposure limit exists because ultraviolet radiation and thermal cycling degrade most below-grade membranes, which are formulated for a buried service life rather than an exposed one. On a schedule where the excavation stays open through a season, this limit is the one that gets exceeded. (14.8)

15 Membrane Continuity, Laps, and Terminations

15.1 The minimum side and end lap for sheet membranes shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Sheet Membrane Minimum Side and End Laprange
in
22.534612
15.2 Where the membrane manufacturer publishes a minimum lap greater than the datasheet value, the greater lap shall govern.
15.3 Laps on vertical surfaces shall be shingled so that the upper sheet laps over the lower sheet.
15.4 End laps in adjacent courses shall be staggered by not less than 12 in.
15.5 Every lap edge shall be rolled and, where the manufacturer's system includes an edge treatment, sealed with the manufacturer's mastic or tape.
15.6 The membrane shall be continuous across the footing-to-wall transition, and the wall membrane shall lap onto the membrane or the prepared footing surface so that water arriving at the base of the wall cannot enter behind it.
15.7 The membrane termination method at grade shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Membrane Termination Method at Graderadio
○ Reglet cut into the substrate with sealant
○ Surface-mounted termination bar with sealant
○ Lapped beneath the water-resistive barrier of the wall above
15.8 The membrane termination height above finished grade shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Membrane Termination Height Above Finished Graderange
in
024
Per drawings — wall sections in the contract documents (deferred by default)
NOTE A termination is the top edge of the system and the point at which the assembly changes from a buried membrane to an above-grade barrier. Water running down the wall above arrives at that edge, so a termination that is only adhered and not mechanically restrained or lapped under the barrier above is a seam facing upward into the flow. (15.9)
15.10 Where IBC Section 1805.3 governs, wall waterproofing shall extend from the bottom of the wall to not less than 12 in. above the maximum elevation of the groundwater table, and the remainder of the wall above that elevation shall be dampproofed in accordance with DampproofingDampproofingResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/dampproofing.

16 Detailing at Penetrations, Corners, and Joints

16.1 Every inside corner, outside corner, penetration, change of plane, and joint in the substrate shall be detailed with reinforcement before the field membrane is applied.
NOTE Detailing before the field membrane means the detail is complete and inspectable on its own, and the field membrane laps over a finished detail rather than being asked to form one. (16.2)
16.3 The inside corner treatment beneath the membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Inside Corner Treatmentradio
○ Cementitious cant fillet
○ Membrane reinforcing strip centered on the corner
○ Liquid-applied detail bead with reinforcing fabric
Manufacturer's standard (by default)
16.4 Where the datasheet leaves the inside corner treatment to the manufacturer's standard practice, the membrane manufacturer's published corner detail for the product supplied shall govern, and the Contractor shall submit that detail with the shop drawings.
NOTE An inside corner asks a sheet membrane to make a 90° bend and stay in contact at the vertex. Without a fillet or a reinforcing strip the sheet bridges the corner, and the void behind it is unsupported membrane directly at the location where the substrate is most likely to crack. (16.5)
16.6 Outside corners shall be reinforced with a strip of membrane or reinforcing fabric extending not less than 6 in. onto each face before the field membrane is applied.
16.7 The seal at pipe and conduit penetrations shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Pipe and Conduit Penetration Sealradio
○ Cast-in sleeve with a mechanical link seal
○ Cast-in puddle flange with the membrane lapped onto the flange
○ Membrane collar with a stainless steel draw band and sealant
○ Hydrophilic waterstop gasket at the annulus
16.8 Penetrations shall be grouped and located so that the clear distance between adjacent penetrations, and between a penetration and a corner or joint, is not less than the distance required to install the selected detail on all sides.
NOTE A penetration detail that cannot be installed all the way around is not installed. Penetration spacing is set during coordination, before the sleeves are cast, and it is the cheapest point at which this problem is solvable. (16.9)
16.10 Penetrations shall be cast into the concrete rather than core drilled through waterproofed construction.
16.11 Where a penetration through waterproofed construction must be core drilled after the membrane is in place, the Contractor shall submit the proposed detail for the Engineer of Record's review before drilling, and the membrane shall be reinstated in accordance with the reviewed detail.
16.12 The treatment of construction joints beneath the membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Construction Joint Treatment Beneath the Membraneradio
○ Hydrophilic strip waterstop
○ Injection hose system
○ Centerbulb waterstop cast into the joint
○ Crystalline slurry applied over the joint
○ No supplemental joint treatment
16.13 Waterstops cast into concrete joints shall comply with Concrete Joints And WaterstopsConcrete Construction Joints and WaterstopsResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/concrete-joints-and-waterstops, and the joint treatment indicated in the datasheet shall be coordinated with the waterstop type specified there.
16.14 The membrane shall be reinforced over every construction joint and every crack in the substrate wider than 1/16 in. with a strip centered on the joint, extending not less than 6 in. on each side.
16.15 Movement joints shall be detailed with a membrane loop, bellows, or preformed joint cover sized for the design movement, and the detail shall be shown on the shop drawings and reviewed before installation.
NOTE A movement joint detailed as a reinforced crack fails on the first cycle, because the reinforcement is there to restrain movement and the joint exists to accommodate it. The two details are not interchangeable. (16.16)
16.17 Form ties and snap ties shall be broken back, patched flush with a cementitious repair material, and the patch shall be cured before the membrane is applied over it.

17 Protection Course

17.1 A protection course shall be installed over the completed membrane on all waterproofed surfaces before backfill is placed or before a slab is cast, except where the datasheet indicates a drainage composite serving as the protection course.
17.2 The protection course type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Protection Course Typeselect
Asphalt-based protection board
Extruded polystyrene insulation board
Expanded polystyrene board
Semi-rigid polymeric protection sheet
Prefabricated drainage composite serving as the protection course
Cementitious protection layer
17.3 The minimum protection course thickness shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Protection Course — Minimum Thicknessrange
in
0.1250.250.3750.511.52
17.4 Where an asphalt-based protection board is indicated, it shall comply with ASTM D6506/D6506M and the class shall be identified in the product data submittal.
17.5 Where a board product other than an asphalt-based protection board is indicated, its compressive strength shall be reported in accordance with ASTM D1621 in the product data submittal.
NOTE The protection course exists to take the backfill and the compaction equipment so that the membrane does not. The load case it is sized for is placement of angular backfill against a vertical membrane, which is a point-loading condition and not a uniform one. (17.6)
17.7 The protection course shall be installed with butted joints, shall be held in place by adhesive, by the drainage layer, or by the backfill placed against it, and shall not be fastened through the membrane.
17.8 The protection course shall extend over the full membrane area, including the area within 12 in. of terminations and around penetrations.
NOTE Membrane at terminations and around penetrations is the membrane most exposed to backfill impact and the least reachable for repair, and it is the area from which protection is most often omitted because the board has to be cut to fit. (17.9)

18 Wall Drainage Layer

18.1 The wall drainage layer type shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Wall Drainage Layer Typeradio
○ Prefabricated drainage composite over the membrane
○ Free-draining granular backfill against the protection course
○ Rigid drainage insulation board
○ No dedicated wall drainage layer
18.2 The wall drainage layer shall satisfy the drainage requirements of Foundation DrainageFoundation DrainageResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/foundation-drainage for the design groundwater condition indicated in the datasheet.
18.3 The minimum in-plane flow rate of a prefabricated drainage composite shall be as indicated in the datasheet, tested in accordance with ASTM D4716/D4716M at the design normal stress and hydraulic gradient.
Wall Drainage Composite — Minimum In-Plane Flow Raterange
gal/min per ft of width
140
NOTE In-plane flow rate is reported at a stated normal stress and hydraulic gradient, and it falls as the normal stress rises. A value measured at a low stress does not describe the composite at the bottom of a deep wall, which is where the flow it must carry is greatest. (18.4)
18.5 The drainage layer shall be carried continuously from the top of the drainage extent shown on the drawings to the perimeter drain, and its bottom edge shall discharge into the drainage aggregate surrounding the perimeter drain.
NOTE A drainage layer that stops above the perimeter drain delivers water to the soil at that elevation rather than to the drain, which loads the wall at the elevation where the head is highest. (18.6)
18.7 The filter fabric face of a prefabricated drainage composite shall be installed facing the soil, and the fabric shall be lapped not less than 4 in. at panel joints and shall be kept free of soil during installation.
18.8 The drainage composite shall not be installed as a substitute for the protection course unless the datasheet indicates a drainage composite serving as the protection course.

19 Field Testing for Watertightness

19.1 The methods used to verify the watertightness of the installed membrane shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Field Watertightness Verification Methodscheckbox
☑ Flood test of horizontal waterproofing
☐ Low-voltage electronic leak detection
☐ High-voltage spark electronic leak detection
☑ Visual inspection of the completed membrane before cover
☐ Adhesion pull testing of the applied membrane
19.2 Testing shall be performed after the membrane and all detailing in the area under test are complete and before the protection course, drainage layer, or any overburden is installed.
NOTE A test performed after cover reports that water reached the interior; it does not report where the membrane was breached. Every method below locates the defect only while the membrane is still exposed. (19.3)
19.4 Flood testing shall be performed in accordance with ASTM D5957.
19.5 The flood test duration shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Flood Test — Minimum Durationrange
h
81224487296
19.6 The flood test water depth at the high point of the test area shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Flood Test — Water Depth at the High Point of the Test Arearange
in
1234
NOTE ASTM D5957 limits the short-term hydrostatic head to 4 in. of water unless the effect of the increased load on the substrate has been reviewed and approved by a licensed structural engineer. (19.7)
19.8 Flood testing shall not begin until the membrane materials in the test area have cured, and in no case within 24 h of their installation, or within 48 h where they were installed at an ambient temperature below 60°F.
19.9 The Contractor shall confirm in writing that the structure supporting the test area can carry the weight of the impounded water before the area is flooded, and shall obtain the Engineer of Record's written concurrence before flooding.
19.10 Electronic leak detection shall be performed in accordance with ASTM D7877, and the method used shall match the membrane material and its moisture condition at the time of the survey.
NOTE Electronic leak detection locates a breach by measuring electrical conductance through it, so it requires an electrically insulating membrane over a conductive substrate. Whether the low-voltage or the high-voltage method applies depends on whether the membrane surface is wetted or dry at the time of the survey. (19.11)
NOTE ASTM D7877 states that electronic leak detection is not intended to replace visual or other methods of inspection and is to be used in conjunction with them. (19.12)
19.13 The Engineer of Record and the waterproofing installer shall jointly inspect the completed membrane before the protection course is installed, and the inspection shall cover every penetration, corner, joint, transition, and termination in the area.
19.14 Where a test or inspection discloses a defect, the Contractor shall repair the defect in accordance with the reviewed repair procedure and shall repeat the test over the full area originally tested.
19.15 The cost of the repair and the cost of every repeat test following a failed test shall be borne by the Contractor.
19.16 Where the parties disagree whether an observed condition constitutes a defect, the Engineer of Record shall make the initial determination.

20 Delivery, Storage, and Handling

20.1 Materials shall be delivered in the manufacturer's original unopened packaging bearing the product designation, the lot number, and the manufacturer's published storage and shelf-life information.
20.2 Materials shall be stored off the ground, under cover, and within the temperature range published by the manufacturer, and shall not be stored in the excavation.
20.3 Rolls of sheet membrane shall be stored on end on a flat surface and shall not be stacked, laid on their sides, or stored under other materials.
NOTE A roll stored on its side flattens under its own weight, and the resulting distortion does not roll out. It shows up as a sheet that will not lie flat on the wall at exactly the point at which the applicator is trying to keep a lap aligned. (20.4)
20.5 Material whose published shelf life has expired, and material whose lot number does not appear on the delivered documentation, shall be removed from the site and shall not be incorporated into the work.
20.6 Solvent-based primers and adhesives shall be stored, handled, and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's safety data sheets and the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.

21 Backfill Against Waterproofed Surfaces

21.1 Backfill shall not be placed against a waterproofed wall until the membrane, the protection course, and the drainage layer in that area are complete and have been inspected.
21.2 Backfill shall not be placed against a wall until the wall has attained the strength required to resist the backfill loading, as confirmed in writing by the Engineer of Record.
21.3 The maximum loose lift thickness for backfill placed adjacent to waterproofed surfaces shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Maximum Backfill Lift Thickness Adjacent to Waterproofed Wallsrange
in
68121824
21.4 The minimum standoff distance within which compaction shall be performed by hand-operated equipment rather than by ride-on or towed equipment shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Minimum Standoff Distance for Ride-On Compaction Equipmentrange
ft
351020
NOTE The standoff exists because ride-on compaction equipment transmits a surcharge into the wall and drives angular backfill into the protection course. The wall is designed for the at-rest soil pressure, not for the transient load a vibratory roller applies at the top of a lift. (21.5)
21.6 Backfill placed against waterproofed surfaces shall be free of debris, frozen material, organic material, and stones larger than the maximum dimension permitted by EarthworkEarthworkResolves to the current adopted revision.sync/earthwork for backfill adjacent to structures.
21.7 Backfill shall be placed in a manner that does not allow material to free-fall against the protection course from a height greater than 5 ft.
21.8 Where the protection course or the drainage layer is displaced or damaged during backfill, the Contractor shall excavate to expose the damage, reinstate the affected materials, and re-inspect the area before backfill resumes, at the Contractor's cost.

22 Warranty

22.1 The form of the manufacturer's warranty shall be as indicated in the datasheet.
Manufacturer Warranty Formradio
○ Material-only warranty
○ Labor and material warranty
○ No-dollar-limit system warranty
NOTE The three warranty forms differ in what the Owner recovers, not in how long the membrane lasts. A material-only warranty replaces the failed material; a labor and material warranty adds the cost of installing the replacement; a no-dollar-limit system warranty covers the cost of the repair without a cap tied to the original contract value. None of them cover excavation to reach the membrane unless the warranty says so in its own text. (22.2)
22.3 The manufacturer's warranty period shall be as indicated in the datasheet, measured from the date of Substantial Completion.
Manufacturer Warranty Periodrange
years
125101520
22.4 The installer's workmanship warranty period shall be as indicated in the datasheet, measured from the date of Substantial Completion.
Installer Workmanship Warranty Periodrange
years
123510
22.5 The manufacturer's warranty and the installer's warranty shall each be made out to the Owner and shall each be assignable to a subsequent owner of the property once during the warranty period.
22.6 Warranty repairs shall be warranted for a full term equal to the original warranty period measured from the date the repair is accepted, or for the remainder of the original term, whichever ends later.
22.7 The Contractor shall bear the cost of excavating to expose the membrane, of removing and reinstating the protection course and drainage layer, and of restoring paving, landscaping, and site improvements disturbed by a warranty repair, and shall restore each disturbed surface to the condition recorded in the pre-existing-condition survey.
22.8 The Contractor shall record a pre-existing-condition survey of paving, landscaping, and site improvements within the area that would be disturbed by a warranty repair, and shall submit it with the closeout submittals.
NOTE Restoration obligations written as "equal to or better than existing" are unenforceable years later without a record of what existed. The survey is what makes the obligation collectible. (22.9)
22.10 The Contractor shall bear the cost of repairing damage to interior finishes, stored contents, and building systems caused by water entering through a defect covered by the warranty, up to the limits stated in the Contract Documents.