Waterproofing Certificate - What can you do with one?

WATERPROOFING CERTIFICATION, WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH ONE ?

As the waterproofing industry in Victoria is all but unregulated, what can a certification give you?
It allows you to tell people your certified and gives them a warm feeling that you MAY just be competent. Customers will assume you know what your doing and expect a quality job that will last for the warranty period.

Licensed Vs Certification

Northern neighbors like NSW and QLD have licensed waterproof individuals who's work must meet strict standards, not to mention is inspected by another licensed supervisor.  Here in Victoria on the other hand things are done significantly different and not for the better either, I will explain exactly what was, what is and where its unfortunately headed.

What Was Waterproofing?

Many folks have a different understanding what it is a waterproofer does, many think it has something to do with roofing, windows and anything that leaks really. Truth is this trade is about preventing leaks, but in the past, we'll say  in the 70's 80's even the 90's there wasn't a lot of sealing substrates in bathrooms, showers, balconies and could you believe, basements.

Silicone seemed to be the number one choice when it came sealing intersections that weren't correctly prepared or possibly cleaned thoroughly and the onsite attitude was " that's good enough, she'll be right mate, that will do the trick". What saved many home owners from a nightmare luckily was the concrete used during construction and somehow provided a level of protection along side the silicone at least for a while.

What is waterproofing towards 2015?

Speaking from experience over the past 14 years (CERTIFIED FOR 9 YEARS) I can confirm things have improved and it had a lot to do with the drought that lasted 10 odd years. During these dry time deep under the soil clay was dry cracking and opening up due to no rain and the generally wet clay shrunk and the cracks started to appear, literally.
It was estimated that 50% of waterproofing was failing and the main offenders where showers and balconies, so due to the work performed in the wet years there were minimal failure and structural movement was at it should be, 2% approx.

Insurance counts the cost for two reasons

It became well know in construction that waterproofing was now under the microscope, builders were running for cover in fear of warranty claims and insurers had racked it as this unregulated industry was costing them countless millions, CHANGE WAS UPON US.

1. Claims claims claims were rolling into Insurance firms as home owners filled for repairs as homes were leaking into kitchens, lounge rooms and anywhere that had a source of water above it, showers, baths & balconies.
2. Building inspectors began asking builders for Certificates and in turn I started issuing them, the influence of insurance companies started pressuring councils to up there game and needed proof that a competent person had done the work and would stand by it.
3. Training facilities started to offer courses for certification and 40 hours was all that was needed to gain the piece of paper, is 40 hours enough to say your qualified in internal waterproofing? For me with existing experience 40 was enough although many in that training room had no experience and received the same qualification.

NOW 2015, WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED, ARE THINGS IMPROVING?

Lets see, from when the internal standards release and subsequent training courses, it took 5 years for the external standards long awaited release and then more time to develop a course to suit.

Here are some things that have had a positive effect on the industry and created

• Most builders want a certification once a job has completed

• Manufacturers are actively improving materials, membranes and systems

• Builders are listening to there governing bodies, MBA HIA regarding procedures

• Substrates, like improved floor sheeting systems have created a single floor layer with fall generally to a tray or gutter type setup

• Making proceeding trades responsible for finishing there work to a high standard

• Training courses improve the standard of workmanship, give more people certification and knowledge which will filter throughout the industry 
• Lastly good news about certification at melbournepolytechnic.edu.au , I would recommend seeking some employment in the field firstly then the course so it all makes sense.

That's me for today

Matt Gleghorn
www.caulkright.com.au/waterproofing-melbourne/

Waterproofing an upstairs bathroom or ensuite

Find out here what's required when waterproofing an upstairs bathroom, in the last 14 years since I've been involved in the koas of construction at the caulking and waterproofing level I've seen lots of changes with most of them being waterproof related.

Confused Waterproofer's and unhappy customers

In 2001 the industry was confused but confident in what work practise's they followed on a daily basis had been working just fine however would that last forever?. Sure there was failures in bathrooms and balconies but it was hard to point the finger as the job was now finished and the home now occupied with some very very unhappy owners.

To make matters even worse if this bathroom was upstairs and leaking then gravity was in charge allowing water to find the path of least resistance and eventually to the lower ground floor to damage whatever it lands on, normally floor boards only to cost thousands of dollars to fix.

So who pays for all this damage if no one accepts the blame? , the buck stop with the builder as they are ultimately responsible, right?. The warranty of the builder is a 7 year stint with structural defects the core of the warranty as they construct and others finish, like plaster, paint, roof, render ect..

So who will fix my leaking bathroom?

The builder? The waterproofer? The tiler? "who's going to save me?" cries the home owner. In 2001 the industry was unregulated in Melbourne at least and if your builder couldn't pass blame then he was your only hope, so what would he do to stop this river flowing through your house? He would pull out the only thing that would save him time and money and it came in the form of a tube, a tube of silicone sealant. 

It was the only option he had cause he didn't want to even begin to consider pulling up a tile to investigate the leak further, so silicone it was all over the corners, grout lines, shower screen corners and with little regard for aesthetics because he wanted to sleep that night and for the rest of the warranty period.

What if the problem purist's?

Well here's the thing, the problem isn't fixed with some silicone sealant as it's only a bandaid solution....but you have confidence in your builder and trust him to look after you and your property right?, so is that what he is thinking to? I doubt that in most cases of the past as avoidance was a priority but not for much longer as the industry was about to change.

Matt Caulkright

Waterproofing a small business

Waterproofing generally speaking is a business and a job for many more who don't fancy the riggers of business and why would you if there is a reasonable wage to be earned on the job. Right?

Lets take a look at what makes a waterproof business work;

• The idea comes to you, I want to be in business * a light moment *.
• You think a whole bunch about what it may take to become a business owner.
• Get excited about all your thoughts and maybe loose some sleep, talk to as many people as you can especially family.
• Get a bit worried about giving up the job and the security, destabilising the comfort zone, start to wonder if its such a good idea.
• You sleep on it and wake up the next day to find your up for the challenge and look for approval.
• It dawns on you that to make this work you will need work, but where will that come from. You boss has been good to you, so don't go after his customers what ever you do.
• FRIENDS YOU SHOUT, I will spread the word around friends, family and any new people I meet.
• BOOM, your in business!,even if its just a sales level for now until some work flows your way.

Don't give up your day job, just yet!

• WHY?, cause you have no work and you like to eat, drink, party and so on.
• Going from a job to the level of self employment and small business operator/owner is a significant jump ( in my opinion )..
• Inform your tax agent of your new decision and let him tell you what's required, in terms of biz stuff you need once trading as there are always government requirements.
• PLEASE stay in the moment, being caught up in your head about how much you can possibly earn and riches beyond belief are not where you are at right here and now.
• So staying at the job is a good thing, it will help you through this transition from worker bee to your own bee, things are sorted with your tax agent and its now a matter of time before the word spreads around that your working for yourself.

Your first call for waterproofing work.

• "Hello" you say not expecting what's about to happen, when you realise you have a bite, listening to the voice you nod and say "Yes" clammer for a  pen and paper to write details of the contact and job address for the prospect.
• That call could very well be the beginning of you new enterprise, but when will you do it...weekends?, yes your personal time. Its the only free time you have right now as you still have a job remember!
• So for now working out how to approach the quote, what you need, what's the likely conversation to be, waterproofing of course but have an idea of what you might say and what you don't need to.
• Consider your attire for the meeting, not neat casual but more a fit the part look, but not filthy dirty with muddy boots, more a yes I'm clean but I look dirty look.
• Determine your pricing before hand because giving a quote on the spot is saving time and gets you closer to winning the job, YOUR FIRST JOB.

Matt Caulkright