Interior
Waterproofing
Install wet-area waterproofing systems to bathrooms, showers, laundries, decks, or other nominated areas before tiling or finishes conceal them.
How to execute this stage
Micro-stage control plan
Work through each applicable step in order. A hold point means pause the dependent decision or work until the stated evidence and authorised review are complete.
01Confirm wet-area details, substrate readiness, falls, drainage, penetrations, corners, bond breakers, membrane system, and installer requirementsLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Confirm wet-area details, substrate readiness, falls, drainage, penetrations, corners, bond breakers, membrane system, and installer requirements.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Bathroom elevations, NZBC E3 guidance, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Leak into structure. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Bathroom elevations is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- NZBC E3 guidance and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the waterproofing qa check sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Bathroom elevations and NZBC E3 guidance.
- Check specifically for: Leak into structure.
- Avoid this known mistake: Tiling before membrane is checked.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed waterproofing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Bathroom elevations or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Waterproofing QA check result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Waterproofing QA check and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Leak into structure
- Tiling before membrane is checked
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Bathroom elevations
- NZBC E3 guidance
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of waterproofing. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Check application thickness/coats, curing times, flood testing where specified, and compatibility with tile/adhesive systems.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
02Check application thickness/coats, curing times, flood testing where specified, and compatibility with tile/adhesive systemsLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Check application thickness/coats, curing times, flood testing where specified, and compatibility with tile/adhesive systems.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Wet-area details, Waterproofing manufacturer system, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Wrong membrane system. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Wet-area details is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Waterproofing manufacturer system and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the council inspection where listed sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Wet-area details and Waterproofing manufacturer system.
- Check specifically for: Wrong membrane system.
- Avoid this known mistake: No photo of corners/wastes.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed waterproofing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Wet-area details or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Council inspection where listed result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Council inspection where listed and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Wrong membrane system
- No photo of corners/wastes
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Wet-area details
- Waterproofing manufacturer system
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of waterproofing. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Collect warranty, installer declaration, product data, and photos before tiling.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
03Collect warranty, installer declaration, product data, and photos before tilingLevel 2 · Interior
TaskCheckHold pointEvidenceRecordNext actionSimple explanation
Collect warranty, installer declaration, product data, and photos before tiling.
Technical context
Coordinate this work against Floor waste details, Tile system manual, the current consent status, and the actual site condition. Confirm interfaces before releasing dependent work.
Why it matters: The main recorded risk is: Poor substrate prep. A missed check can create rework, delay, hidden defects, an inspection failure, or a departure from approved project documents.
Prerequisites
- Floor waste details is current, approved for the intended use, and available to the people doing the work.
- Tile system manual and relevant product information have been checked.
- Access, responsibility, safety controls, preceding work and the flood test/installer declaration where specified sequence are confirmed.
Checks
- Check the completed work against Floor waste details and Tile system manual.
- Check specifically for: Poor substrate prep.
- Avoid this known mistake: Mixing systems without manufacturer approval.
Evidence to save
- Wide, location-identifying and close-up photographs of the completed waterproofing work before it is concealed.
- Marked-up Floor waste details or a precise drawing/detail reference.
- Flood test/installer declaration where specified result, consultant record, trade QA record or written not-applicable reason.
Hold point
Do not cover, backfill, load, connect, certify or release the next activity until Flood test/installer declaration where specified and the required project evidence are complete or the authorised reviewer confirms what may proceed.
Stop or escalate when
- Poor substrate prep
- Mixing systems without manufacturer approval
- The current drawing, approval, competent reviewer or required evidence cannot be confirmed.
Documents and records
- Floor waste details
- Tile system manual
- Current RFI/site-instruction/change record
- Inspection and evidence register
- Cost effect
- Rectification, reinspection, delay, damaged follow-on work, access loss and changed scope can increase the cost of waterproofing. Record the cause and obtain written pricing before approving a commercial change.
- Programme effect
- This activity controls the release of dependent work. Update the lookahead programme and notify affected trades if the hold point, information, inspection or evidence is not ready.
Next action
Close the waterproofing stage, link its evidence, resolve outstanding defects and release only the next applicable stage.
Applicability: Apply when this work package is included in the current project scope. Confirm project-specific consent, contract, design, site and authority requirements.
Use the current consented/issued project documents and competent site review. BuildPath does not approve work.
Trade-to-trade control
Interfaces and release gates
Use the actual consented design, specification and authorised reviewers. These controls help expose gaps; they do not approve work.
Wet-area structure, plumbing, waterproofing and finishes
Prerequisites
- • Substrate type, stiffness, falls and moisture condition are acceptable
- • Waste positions, flange details, taps and penetrations match the waterproofing design
- • Membrane, adhesive, sealant and finish systems are compatible
Interface checks
- • Falls run to wastes without ponding and door/transition levels work
- • Junctions, movement joints, penetrations, upstands and termination heights are complete
- • Required curing, flood testing, installer declaration and protection are planned
Evidence before release
- • Substrate and fall measurements
- • Membrane batch/installer/junction photographs
- • Test, inspection and producer/installer records required by the project
Next team: Tiler, plumber and finish installer
Open the related Workspace control →What happens in this stage
- Confirm wet-area details, substrate readiness, falls, drainage, penetrations, corners, bond breakers, membrane system, and installer requirements.
- Check application thickness/coats, curing times, flood testing where specified, and compatibility with tile/adhesive systems.
- Collect warranty, installer declaration, product data, and photos before tiling.
Before work starts
- Confirm the latest issued-for-construction and consented documents for waterproofing are on site, including Bathroom elevations.
- Check NZBC E3 guidance, approved product data, RFIs, minor variations, and amendment status before work starts.
- Confirm the subcontractor understands the scope, hold points, access, protection requirements, H&S controls, and quality evidence required.
- Check the programme sequence so this stage does not start before earlier work, inspections, testing, or concealed-work photos are complete.
- Confirm materials delivered to site match the specification, are dry/undamaged, and are stored according to manufacturer instructions.
During the work
- Walk the work face early, mid-shift, and before close-up. Compare actual work with the consented drawings, specification, and manufacturer details.
- Check set-out, levels, falls, clearances, penetrations, fixings, bracing, waterproofing, or protection points that will be difficult to see later.
- Ask trades to show their own quality checks rather than only saying the work is complete.
- Keep weather, site condition, delivery, delay, inspection, RFI, variation, and safety notes in the daily report.
- Photograph any work before it is covered, backfilled, lined, clad, tiled, painted, or otherwise hidden.
After the work
- Complete a close-out walk with the subcontractor and mark defects immediately while access is still available.
- Confirm required inspection bookings, council results, producer statements, LBP Records of Work, warranties, test certificates, or installer declarations are obtained.
- Update as-built notes where service routes, drainage, fixings, penetrations, or dimensions differ from the design.
- Confirm the area is protected from weather, other trades, impact damage, contamination, or premature loading.
- Update the lookahead programme and tell affected trades what is ready, what is blocked, and what must not be covered.
Common problems and step-by-step solutions
Waterproofing defect
- 1Stop the affected waterproofing activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Flood test failure
- 1Stop the affected waterproofing activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Tile substrate issue
- 1Stop the affected waterproofing activity if continuing could hide defective work, create unsafe work, or move away from the consented design.
- 2Photograph the condition from wide, medium, and close-up angles. Include a tape, level, datum mark, gridline, or drawing reference where useful.
- 3Check the latest consented architectural, structural, civil, services, and specification documents before giving an instruction.
- 4Ask the subcontractor to explain the cause, proposed fix, timing impact, and whether the fix changes consented work.
- 5Escalate to the builder/project manager, designer, engineer, council inspector, or client when the fix affects structure, weathertightness, drainage, H1, fire/safety, cost, programme, or consent.
- 6Record the decision, responsible person, drawing/RFI/variation reference, photos, and follow-up inspection in the daily report.
Verification
Source / where to check
Use current official information and the controlled documents for the actual project.
Check wet-area surfaces, ventilation, waterproofing details, and manufacturer systems against consented documents.
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
The issued consent drawings, stamped specifications, engineering drawings, RFIs, minor variations, and amendments control the specific project.
Use the exact current installation manual, warranty requirements, BRANZ/Appraisal information where applicable, and product data sheet for the product on site.
Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.
Project-specific consented documents and professional advice override generic guidance.
Common inspections required
- Waterproofing QA check
- Council inspection where listed
- Flood test/installer declaration where specified
Common risks
- Leak into structure
- Wrong membrane system
- Poor substrate prep
- No curing time
- Penetration not sealed
Common mistakes
- Tiling before membrane is checked
- No photo of corners/wastes
- Mixing systems without manufacturer approval
Required documentation
- Latest consented drawings and specifications
- Relevant RFIs, site instructions, amendments, minor variations, and variation approvals
- Subcontractor scope, QA checklist, delivery dockets, product data, and installation records
- Inspection booking/result records and photos before cover-up
- Daily site report notes covering labour, weather, progress, delays, risks, and decisions
Photos or diagrams needed
- Wide photo showing where waterproofing is happening on the site
- Close-up photos of critical details, fixings, laps, seals, penetrations, clearances, levels, or falls
- Photo of product labels, batch numbers, delivery dockets, and installer marks where relevant
- Marked-up drawing or simple diagram showing any changed location, clash, defect, or agreed remedial detail
Construction manager checklist
- 1Scope, drawings, specification, product data, and latest revision confirmed
- 2Trade briefed on hold points, tolerances to verify, evidence required, and inspection sequence
- 3Access, storage, protection, temporary works, and safety controls in place
- 4Work checked against drawings during installation, not only at completion
- 5Photos and records captured before work is concealed
- 6Defects, RFIs, delays, and variations recorded with owner and due date
- 7Inspection/producer statement/warranty/Record of Work requirements tracked for CCC
Questions to ask the subcontractor
- Which drawing, detail, or manufacturer instruction are you working from?
- What needs to be checked before this is covered or handed to the next trade?
- What could stop you today: weather, access, materials, information, inspections, or other trades?
- Does anything on site differ from the drawings or specification?
- What evidence will you provide for the quality file and CCC file?
Red flags to stop work
- Work differs from consented drawings or specification and no approved variation/RFI exists
- A structural, weathertightness, waterproofing, drainage, fire/safety, or H1 detail is unclear
- The trade wants to cover work before inspection, testing, or photos are complete
- Specified materials are missing, substituted, damaged, wet, expired, or installed outside manufacturer instructions
- A safety control is missing for excavation, heights, plant movement, electrical work, asbestos, silica, or public protection
What to record in the daily report
- Exact location and quantity of work completed
- Trade headcount, company names, plant used, deliveries, and material batch/product details
- Weather, site conditions, delays, instructions received, RFIs raised, and inspections booked/passed/failed
- Photos taken before cover-up and any defects or non-conformances found
- Next-day lookahead, blockers, and who is responsible for each action
Use this in my project
Turn waterproofing into controlled action
Open the relevant workspace register, create the project-specific record, link the controlling documents and preserve evidence. The guide does not automatically approve or verify the action.