COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Implement Sound Work Practices in Construction Waterproofing course. This program has been designed to build your knowledge, practical skills, and professional standards to plan, install, and protect waterproofing systems that meet quality, safety, and compliance requirements across a range of construction environments.
Waterproofing practice is fundamental to the long-term performance, safety, and value of buildings and structures. This course begins by introducing sound work practices in construction waterproofing, outlining the roles and responsibilities of waterproofing workers, and clarifying expectations for quality, compliance, and durability. It also explores the importance of accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail in waterproofing work, recognising that failures in this trade can lead to significant structural damage, costly rectification, and reputational risk.
Work health and safety requirements underpin every stage of waterproofing operations. This section examines how to identify common hazards associated with waterproofing products, tools, and environments, and how to use personal protective equipment correctly to manage chemical, slip, and manual handling risks. It also addresses the need to follow safe work procedures and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and outlines appropriate responses to incidents and emergencies in line with site and legislative requirements.
Accurate interpretation of plans and specifications is critical to delivering compliant waterproofing systems. This section explores how to read waterproofing drawings accurately, understand membrane types and coverage areas, and identify critical junctions, details, and high-risk locations. It also emphasises the importance of confirming work instructions and clarifying uncertainties before commencing, so that installation aligns with design intent, standards, and warranty conditions.
Effective waterproofing begins with thorough preparation of the work area and substrates. This section focuses on establishing safe and clear work zones, preparing substrates to required standards, and cleaning and drying surfaces to ensure proper adhesion and performance. It also addresses checking substrate condition before application, including moisture content, defects, and compatibility, to avoid premature failures and non-compliance.
Material selection has a direct impact on system performance and durability. This section examines how to identify appropriate waterproofing systems for different applications, understand material compatibility between membranes, primers, adhesives, and substrates, and check product specifications and approvals. It also considers how to confirm that materials meet project and regulatory requirements, including manufacturer guidelines and relevant standards.
Safe handling and storage of waterproofing materials are essential for both safety and product performance. This section explores how to store materials in accordance with manufacturer requirements, manage temperature-sensitive products, and prevent contamination or damage from moisture, dust, or physical impact. It also highlights the importance of monitoring product shelf life, rotating stock, and rejecting expired or compromised materials.
Primers and surface treatments are a critical link between the substrate and membrane. This section examines how to select correct primers for different substrates, apply primers evenly and at the specified coverage rate, and allow appropriate curing times before proceeding. It also addresses inspecting surfaces after priming to ensure readiness for membrane installation and to identify any defects or contamination that may affect adhesion.
Installing waterproofing membranes requires precision and adherence to specification. This section focuses on applying membranes to the specified thickness, ensuring continuous and complete coverage without pinholes or voids, and carefully treating corners, joints, and penetrations. It also explores techniques to prevent membrane damage during application and handling, including control of foot traffic, tool use, and sequencing of work.
Penetrations, joints, and junctions are common points of failure in waterproofing systems and must be managed with care. This section examines how to waterproof pipes and fixtures, seal movement joints correctly, and treat internal and external corners using appropriate detailing methods. It also emphasises the need to ensure continuity at junction points between different materials, planes, or systems so that the waterproofing barrier remains unbroken.
Ongoing quality monitoring during waterproofing work is essential to achieving a compliant outcome. This section explores how to check membrane thickness and coverage, identify defects or voids, and rectify issues before curing. It also addresses the use of gauges, visual checks, and documentation to confirm that work meets specifications, manufacturer instructions, and project quality requirements.
Proper curing and protection of waterproofing systems are vital to long-term performance. This section examines how to allow membranes to cure correctly according to product requirements, protect them from mechanical damage, contamination, and adverse weather, and manage curing times in varying site conditions. It also considers how to prevent premature loading or covering of membranes, and how to coordinate follow-on trades to avoid damage.
Testing and inspection procedures provide formal confirmation of waterproofing performance. This section explores visual inspection methods, the use of flood tests, adhesion tests, or other specified checks, and how to identify non-compliant areas requiring rectification. It also covers documenting inspection outcomes, communicating results to supervisors or site management, and ensuring corrective actions are completed and verified.
Waterproofing work rarely occurs in isolation and must be coordinated with other site activities. This section examines how to work effectively with other trades by coordinating work schedules, communicating waterproofing requirements clearly, and agreeing on protection measures to prevent damage from subsequent works. It also addresses resolving site coordination issues and ensuring that waterproofed areas are respected and maintained throughout construction.
Accurate workplace documentation is a key part of professional waterproofing practice. This section explores how to record waterproofing activities, including product batch details, coverage areas, and application dates; complete compliance and warranty documentation; and update site records and checklists. It also highlights the importance of reporting defects, variations, or unexpected conditions promptly, supporting traceability and accountability.
Environmental and waste management practices are increasingly important in construction waterproofing. This section examines how to dispose of waste materials responsibly, manage chemical runoff and spills, and minimise environmental impact by controlling overspray, wash-down, and packaging waste. It also explores adherence to site environmental management plans and relevant regulatory requirements.
Finally, the course concludes with reviewing performance and continuous improvement in waterproofing operations. This section focuses on reflecting on completed tasks, accepting and applying feedback from supervisors, identifying skills development needs, and contributing to improved waterproofing methods, sequencing, and quality controls. It reinforces the idea that sound work practices evolve through learning, experience, and commitment to doing the job right the first time.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the practical techniques, safety awareness, and professional work practices required to implement sound waterproofing operations on construction sites, delivering systems that are durable, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Construction Waterproofing Practice
- Understanding sound work practices in construction waterproofing
- Roles and responsibilities of waterproofing workers
- Expectations for quality, compliance, and durability
- Importance of accuracy and accountability in waterproofing work
2. Applying Workplace Health and Safety Requirements
- Identifying common waterproofing hazards
- Using personal protective equipment correctly
- Following safe work procedures and SWMS
- Responding to incidents and emergencies
3. Interpreting Waterproofing Plans and Specifications
- Reading waterproofing drawings accurately
- Understanding membrane types and coverage areas
- Identifying critical junctions and details
- Confirming work instructions before commencing
4. Preparing the Work Area and Substrates
- Establishing safe and clear work zones
- Preparing substrates to required standards
- Cleaning and drying surfaces appropriately
- Checking substrate condition before application
5. Selecting Waterproofing Materials and Systems
- Identifying appropriate waterproofing systems
- Understanding material compatibility
- Checking product specifications and approvals
- Confirming materials meet project requirements
6. Handling and Storing Waterproofing Materials Safely
- Storing materials according to manufacturer requirements
- Managing temperature-sensitive products
- Preventing contamination or damage
- Monitoring product shelf life
7. Applying Primers and Surface Treatments
- Selecting correct primers for substrates
- Applying primers evenly and correctly
- Allowing appropriate curing times
- Inspecting surfaces before membrane installation
8. Installing Waterproofing Membranes
- Applying membranes to specified thickness
- Ensuring continuous and complete coverage
- Treating corners, joints, and penetrations
- Preventing membrane damage during application
9. Managing Penetrations, Joints, and Junctions
- Waterproofing pipes and fixtures
- Sealing movement joints correctly
- Treating internal and external corners
- Ensuring continuity at junction points
10. Monitoring Quality During Waterproofing Works
- Checking membrane thickness and coverage
- Identifying defects or voids
- Rectifying issues before curing
- Ensuring work meets specifications
11. Managing Curing and Protection of Waterproofing Systems
- Allowing membranes to cure correctly
- Protecting membranes from damage
- Managing weather impacts during curing
- Preventing premature loading or covering
12. Conducting Testing and Inspection Procedures
- Performing visual inspections
- Conducting flood or adhesion tests where required
- Identifying non-compliant areas
- Documenting inspection outcomes
13. Working Effectively with Other Trades
- Coordinating work schedules with other trades
- Communicating waterproofing requirements clearly
- Preventing damage from subsequent works
- Resolving site coordination issues
14. Completing Workplace Documentation and Records
- Recording waterproofing activities accurately
- Completing compliance and warranty documentation
- Updating site records and checklists
- Reporting defects or variations
15. Applying Environmental and Waste Management Practices
- Disposing of waste materials responsibly
- Managing chemical runoff and spills
- Minimising environmental impact
- Following site environmental management plans
16. Reviewing Performance and Continuous Improvement
- Reflecting on completed waterproofing tasks
- Accepting feedback from supervisors
- Identifying skills development needs
- Contributing to improved waterproofing practices
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital โCertificate of Completionโ.