COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Site Preparation & Planning for Waterproofing Installations course. This program has been developed to provide you with the knowledge and procedural understanding required to prepare sites effectively for waterproofing installations.

Proper planning and preparation are foundational to the long-term success of any waterproofing system. Inadequate preparation can lead to membrane failure, moisture ingress, costly rectifications, and structural deterioration. This course will equip you with the technical, regulatory, and practical skills to mitigate these risks and deliver high-quality waterproofing outcomes.

The course begins by outlining the importance of comprehensive site preparation in waterproofing operations. You will explore how failures in readiness can compromise the integrity of membranes and why defining clear responsibilities among builders, applicators, and consultants is essential for successful project delivery.

Understanding and reviewing project specifications is crucial to aligning field conditions with the intended design. This section covers how to assess waterproofing plans, detail drawings, and technical data sheets, while also identifying and addressing any inconsistencies or conflicts between documentation and actual site conditions before work begins.

Compliance with Australian Standards and the National Construction Code is non-negotiable in waterproofing work. This section provides an overview of key standards—AS 3740 for internal wet areas, AS 4654.2 for external above-ground applications, and AS 4858 for liquid applied membranes—along with guidance on verifying product certifications and system approvals.

A thorough site assessment is the next critical step. This section guides you through inspecting substrate integrity, identifying hazards or constraints, and developing remediation plans to ensure a suitable base for waterproofing applications. A proactive approach at this stage prevents defects and costly delays during membrane application.

Safe access is a vital aspect of waterproofing preparation, particularly in elevated or confined locations. This section addresses the importance of scaffold planning, fall protection systems, and exclusion zones to ensure worker safety and site security throughout the preparation phase.

Substrate suitability is one of the most common reasons for membrane failure. This section provides guidance on verifying substrate types, correcting deficiencies such as cracks or ponding, and ensuring surfaces are sound, clean, and dry prior to application.

Environmental conditions directly impact membrane adhesion and performance. In this section, you will learn how to conduct moisture tests, monitor environmental variables such as temperature and humidity, and manage work schedules based on prevailing site conditions.

Coordinating with other trades is essential for sequencing waterproofing works. This section examines how to prevent scheduling clashes with plumbing, tiling, and structural trades and how to communicate membrane curing times to avoid inadvertent damage or disruption.

Proper drainage design is crucial to waterproofing success. This section explores how to verify falls, assess drainage component readiness, and identify where levelling or screed adjustments are needed to support positive water flow and prevent ponding or backflow.

Primer selection and compatibility are foundational to membrane performance. This section outlines how to choose the right primer, confirm manufacturer compatibility, and observe correct curing times to avoid premature failure during membrane installation.

Surface contamination is a leading cause of membrane delamination. This section provides strategies for removing contaminants, preventing new contamination during preparation, and safely disposing of preparation by-products in line with workplace health and environmental regulations.

Effective material staging ensures a smooth preparation workflow. This section details how to organise delivery, protection, and storage of waterproofing materials—including membranes, primers, and tools—on-site to ensure they are accessible, compliant, and protected from degradation.

Final inspections and sign-offs must be conducted before membrane work begins. This section explains how to check wall-floor junctions, service penetrations, and substrate continuity, and how to document approvals from project stakeholders before proceeding to application.

Time management in waterproofing is more complex than many trades due to curing and drying requirements. This section helps you allocate time appropriately, plan for weather disruptions, and schedule work across large areas or in staged applications.

Preparing tools and ensuring correct PPE is a baseline WHS requirement. This section outlines how to identify equipment specific to membrane types, check condition and compliance, and confirm that workers are appropriately protected during preparation works.

Environmental compliance is a shared responsibility. This section explores how to contain washdown water, prevent pollutants from entering drains, and comply with EPA and local council guidelines to minimise environmental impact during surface preparation.

Effective communication supports accountability and transparency on site. This section provides guidance on maintaining preparation checklists, using site diaries, and ensuring that readiness status and rectification works are clearly documented and communicated to the waterproofing team.

Finally, environmental and substrate conditions can change rapidly. This section highlights the need for continuous monitoring of preparation validity, repeating key tests if delays occur, and conducting touch-up preparation to maintain compliant conditions right up to the time of membrane installation.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical capability to plan and execute effective site preparation for waterproofing installations, ensuring compliance, durability, and performance across all internal and external applications.

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 Site Preparation for Waterproofing Installations

• Importance of thorough planning and preparation
• Consequences of poor site readiness in waterproofing outcomes
• Overview of roles and responsibilities in the preparation process

2. Understanding Project Specifications and Documentation

• Reviewing waterproofing plans, product specifications, and detail drawings
• Confirming scope of work and sequencing requirements
• Identifying discrepancies between site conditions and documentation

3. Interpreting Relevant Standards and Regulatory Requirements

• Overview of AS 3740 (internal wet areas), AS 4654.2 (external areas), and AS 4858
• Compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC)
• Identifying product approvals and certified systems

4. Conducting a Pre-Installation Site Assessment

• Inspecting current conditions of substrates and adjacent building elements
• Identifying potential hazards, constraints, or obstacles
• Planning for repairs or modifications prior to waterproofing

5. Access and Safety Planning for Waterproofing Activities

• Ensuring safe access to internal and external waterproofing zones
• Installing scaffolding, platforms, and fall protection where required
• Securing the work area from unauthorised access or disturbance

6. Substrate Suitability and Preparation Requirements

• Identifying acceptable substrate types for membrane application
• Ensuring dry, clean, and sound surfaces
• Rectifying defects such as cracks, laitance, sharp edges, and ponding areas

7. Moisture Testing and Environmental Condition Checks

• Conducting moisture content testing using suitable equipment
• Monitoring ambient temperature, humidity, and substrate conditions
• Adapting work schedules to suit weather and drying conditions

8. Coordination with Other Trades and Sequencing of Works

• Avoiding clashes with plumbing, tiling, roofing, or structural works
• Communicating critical timing for membrane application and curing
• Preventing damage from premature access or follow-on trades

9. Planning for Drainage and Water Flow Management

• Verifying falls to drains, scuppers, and outlets
• Inspecting drainage components and ensuring readiness
• Adjusting substrate or screed where necessary to prevent water pooling

10. Surface Priming and Compatibility Checks

• Selecting appropriate primers for specific substrates
• Verifying compatibility between primers and membrane systems
• Ensuring correct curing time for primers prior to membrane application

11. Control of Site Contaminants and Waste

• Removing dust, oils, adhesives, and incompatible coatings
• Preventing site contamination during preparation
• Planning for safe disposal of surface preparation by-products

12. Material Staging and Storage Logistics

• Ensuring membrane materials, primers, and tools are onsite before commencement
• Storing materials in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Protecting waterproofing materials from moisture, UV, and physical damage

13. Pre-Installation Inspections and Approvals

• Conducting final checks of surface readiness
• Verifying service penetrations, joint treatments, and wall-floor junctions
• Obtaining approval from builder, certifier, or project manager prior to start

14. Scheduling and Time Management Considerations

• Allocating time for preparation, drying, curing, and protection
• Coordinating with weather forecasts and site conditions
• Adjusting timelines for staged works or large-scale areas

15. Preparing Tools, Equipment, and PPE

• Listing and checking tools specific to membrane type
• Ensuring equipment is clean, functional, and compliant
• Verifying that all workers are fitted with correct PPE for surface prep tasks

16. Environmental Protection and Compliance Measures

• Planning containment for slurry, washdown water, and debris
• Ensuring no harmful runoff reaches stormwater systems
• Complying with local council and EPA environmental guidelines

17. Communication and Documentation for Site Readiness

• Using site diaries, checklists, and sign-offs for preparation stages
• Communicating readiness status with waterproofing teams
• Logging rectification works and photographic evidence of conditions

18. Continuous Monitoring of Conditions During Preparation and Installation

• Checking for changes in moisture, temperature, or substrate condition
• Ensuring preparation remains valid if installation is delayed
• Repeating key tests or touch-up preparation as required

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 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 “Certificate of Completion”.