Workmanship Factors Influencing Quality of Installed Parking Garage Waterproofing Membranes

Abstract

Elastomeric waterproofing membrane performance is dependent not only on material properties, but also on the quality of the installation. Currently marketed products are cold, liquid applied, self-adhering elastomers that vary in chemical composition and method of application. Material properties are governed by the response of each material to many site factors encountered in the installation. Application problems can result from a variation of ambient weather conditions, the quality of workmanship, and the surface preparation of the substrate. The influence of workmanship factors and surface preparation on the performance of five elastomeric membranes was investigated. The results show that poor on-site practice and a lack of quality control during installation often produce a final product of low durability.