Waterproofing Installer Course

Lesson 1 • Substrates and Surface Conditions

Examines concrete, masonry, and wood substrates and how their properties affect product adhesion. Proper substrate assessment is the prerequisite for all installation work.

Lesson 2 • Regulatory and Standards Overview

Surveys building codes, industry standards, and manufacturer specifications governing waterproofing. Students understand compliance obligations before beginning any installation.

Lesson 3 • Water Intrusion and Building Damage

Covers how water enters structures and the damage it causes over time. Establishes the professional case for waterproofing as a critical building protection measure.

Lesson 1 • Hand and Power Tools for Installation

Identifies tools used for surface prep, mixing, and application. Correct tool selection directly affects product performance and installation speed.

Lesson 2 • Waterproofing Material Types

Surveys liquid-applied membranes, sheet membranes, cementitious coatings, and bentonite products. Material knowledge enables correct product selection for each project condition.

Lesson 3 • Personal Protective Equipment

Covers PPE requirements for chemical, respiratory, and fall hazards on waterproofing sites. Proper PPE use is mandatory before any hands-on installation activity.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Communication and SDS

Explains safety data sheets, labeling systems, and chemical hazard communication standards. Students interpret SDS documents to handle all waterproofing chemicals safely.

Lesson 1 • Priming and Bonding Agents

Explains when and how to apply primers to improve membrane adhesion on porous or contaminated surfaces. Correct priming prevents delamination and extends system life.

Lesson 2 • Moisture Testing and Acceptance

Introduces quantitative moisture testing methods and pass/fail criteria before membrane installation. Moisture testing prevents adhesion failures caused by wet substrates.

Lesson 3 • Concrete Surface Preparation

Covers grinding, shot blasting, and acid etching to achieve required surface profiles. Concrete prep is the most common task and sets the standard for all other substrates.

Lesson 1 • Detail Work at Transitions

Addresses membrane application at corners, penetrations, and terminations where failures most often occur. Detail work requires additional reinforcement and careful technique.

Lesson 2 • Curing and Protection

Explains cure time requirements, environmental limits, and temporary protection methods. Protecting the membrane during cure prevents defects before backfill or overburden.

Lesson 3 • Spray Application Techniques

Covers airless and plural-component spray equipment setup, calibration, and operation. Spray application increases productivity and is required for large commercial projects.

Lesson 4 • Roller and Brush Application

Teaches hand-application techniques for achieving uniform wet film thickness on vertical and horizontal surfaces. Hand application is the baseline skill for all liquid membrane work.

Lesson 1 • Self-Adhered Sheet Membrane Basics

Introduces self-adhered membrane types, release liners, and adhesive backings. Understanding product construction is essential before attempting installation.

Lesson 2 • Flashing and Detail Membranes

Addresses pre-formed and field-fabricated flashings at corners, drains, and penetrations. Flashing details are the most common source of sheet membrane failures.

Lesson 3 • Seam and Lap Welding

Teaches heat-welding and pressure-rolling techniques for creating watertight seams. Seam integrity is the most critical quality checkpoint in sheet membrane installation.

Lesson 1 • Drainage and Backfill Systems

Covers perimeter drain tile, drainage aggregate, and filter fabric installation. Drainage systems relieve hydrostatic pressure and protect the membrane from soil loads.

Lesson 2 • Below-Slab Waterproofing

Covers under-slab membrane and vapor barrier installation before concrete placement. Below-slab systems prevent moisture migration into occupied spaces from the ground.

Lesson 3 • Footing and Transition Details

Addresses waterproofing continuity at wall-to-footing transitions and construction joints. Transitions are high-risk zones requiring additional material and careful technique.

Lesson 4 • Below-Grade System Design

Covers soil conditions, water table analysis, and system selection for below-grade applications. System design decisions made before installation determine long-term performance.

Lesson 1 • Deck Waterproofing System Components

Introduces the layered assembly of deck waterproofing including membrane, insulation, drainage, and topping. Understanding the full assembly prevents component compatibility errors.

Lesson 2 • Drain and Scupper Integration

Teaches proper membrane integration with roof drains, scuppers, and overflow drains. Drain details are the most common failure point on deck waterproofing systems.

Lesson 3 • Plaza and Green Roof Assemblies

Addresses waterproofing under pavers, planters, and growing media on occupied roofs. These assemblies require root-resistant membranes and robust drainage layers.

Lesson 1 • Visual Inspection Procedures

Establishes a structured visual inspection checklist for membranes, details, and transitions. Visual inspection is the first and most accessible quality control tool on every project.

Lesson 2 • Flood and Ponding Tests

Covers water flood testing protocols for below-grade slabs and horizontal deck assemblies. Flood testing provides definitive proof of membrane continuity before overburden placement.

Lesson 3 • Defect Repair and Closeout

Covers repair procedures for pinholes, blisters, delamination, and seam failures. Proper repair and documentation are required before project warranty is issued.

Lesson 4 • Electronic Leak Detection

Introduces low-voltage and high-voltage electronic leak detection methods for membranes. Electronic testing locates pinhole defects invisible to visual inspection.