Checklists by trade
3 lists · 14 items · 23 photosBelow-grade waterproofing inspection checklists
Below-grade waterproofing inspection checklists for the rough-in, final and punch walks: 3 free lists, 14 items and 23 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it.
The below-grade waterproofing walks, in build order
Below-grade waterproofing Rough-in· Below-grade waterproofingBelow-grade waterproofing rough-in inspection checklistSubstrate cure, cant at the footing, tie holes, cold joints and penetration details verified before the membrane covers them5 items9 photosBelow-grade waterproofing Final· Below-grade waterproofingBelow-grade waterproofing final inspection checklistMembrane continuity, laps, terminations and protection board verified before backfill covers the wall6 items10 photosBelow-grade waterproofing Punch· Below-grade waterproofingBelow-grade waterproofing punch checklistBackfill damage traced, seams repaired and drainage tie-in confirmed3 items4 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- Below-grade waterproofing rough-in inspection checklistrough-in
- After the wall is stripped and cured and details are patched, before the membrane goes on and while every detail is still reachable. Run by: The waterproofing foreman checking the wall ahead of the membrane crew, or the GC's superintendent releasing the foundation for waterproofing.
- Below-grade waterproofing final inspection checklistfinal
- After the membrane is complete and any adhesion or flood test is done, immediately before protection board and backfill go on. Run by: The GC's superintendent with the waterproofing foreman, releasing the wall for backfill.
- Below-grade waterproofing punch checklistpunch
- During closeout or after a leak shows up, while there's still access to the affected area of wall. Run by: The waterproofing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing envelope punch below grade.
What most often sends below-grade waterproofing work back
- Membrane applied to green concrete or a damp wall, so it never bonds and blisters off below grade.
- Tie holes and honeycomb patched with a quick smear instead of the detailed treatment, leaving a path straight through the wall.
- No cant or fillet at the footing-to-wall corner, so the membrane bridges a sharp inside angle and cracks there.
- Backfill dumped against the membrane before protection board is on, gouging the coating with rock and debris.
- Sheet laps run short or shingled the wrong way, so water tracks into the overlap instead of over it.
- Termination at the top of wall left unsealed or unbattened, so water gets behind the membrane from above.
- A leak chased at the interior wet spot while the actual breach in the membrane is somewhere else along the wall.
- Footing drain choked with fines or disconnected at the tie-in, so water stacks against the wall no matter how good the membrane is.
Common questions
- Which below-grade waterproofing inspections do these checklists cover?
- Below-grade waterproofing rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After the wall is stripped and cured and details are patched, before the membrane goes on and while every detail is still reachable. Below-grade waterproofing final inspection checklist (final): After the membrane is complete and any adhesion or flood test is done, immediately before protection board and backfill go on. Below-grade waterproofing punch checklist (punch): During closeout or after a leak shows up, while there's still access to the affected area of wall.
- Who runs a below-grade waterproofing inspection?
- The waterproofing foreman checking the wall ahead of the membrane crew, or the GC's superintendent releasing the foundation for waterproofing. The GC's superintendent with the waterproofing foreman, releasing the wall for backfill. The waterproofing foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing envelope punch below grade.
- What most often sends below-grade waterproofing work back?
- Membrane applied to green concrete or a damp wall, so it never bonds and blisters off below grade. Tie holes and honeycomb patched with a quick smear instead of the detailed treatment, leaving a path straight through the wall. No cant or fillet at the footing-to-wall corner, so the membrane bridges a sharp inside angle and cracks there. Backfill dumped against the membrane before protection board is on, gouging the coating with rock and debris.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 3 lists (14 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.