Page 15 - Construction Waterproofing Handbook

PREFACE

The basic waterproofing principles presented in Chapter 1—the 90%/1% principle and
the 99% principle—are recognized as the most important guides in designing, construct-
ing, and maintaining a waterproof structure. Evidence found in construction failures and
presented in lawsuits related to leakage and damage caused by leakage continually rein-
forces these two founding principles of waterproofing building science.
Waterproofing is finally being defined not as an individual system but as a construction
process that involves all the exterior building cladding components—not as the responsi-
bility of one individual subcontractor, the waterproofer, but of the entire construction team,
from the designer to the contractor to all subcontractors and material suppliers.
This new edition includes a new chapter on residential waterproofing, which empha-
sizes the necessity of treating a home’s exterior as an integrated system acting to prevent
water inflation. As in all other types of construction, successful residential construction
also must follow the practices set forth throughout this book.
A chapter on mold remediation also has been added. While mold infestation in struc-
tures has been the subject of massive news coverage, its cause is completely traceable to a
failure to follow proper waterproofing practices.
These updates add important information to this most complete waterproofing guide
available. The original building envelope and the 90%/1% and 99% principles have not
changed and remain the most important issues regarding a completely successful con-
struction or remediation project.

Michael T. Kubal

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