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/