Below-ground waterproofing is one of the most critical elements of a building’s long-term performance. When it fails, the consequences can be costly, disruptive, and difficult to remediate. That’s why understanding the different waterproofing strategies — particularly Type A and Type B protection — is increasingly important for designers, engineers, and builders across New Zealand.

Like many long-lasting, tried and tested materials, mastic asphalt is being re-imagined, modified and re-examined as a highly relevant building solution for today. 

In New Zealand, approximately 10% of the population relies on rainwater collected from roofs for their daily water needs. There are also an increasing number of projects looking for sustainable and cost-effective solutions to harvest rainwater as a reliable source for drinking water. The key to ensuring the safety and quality of water lies in proper collection, storage, adherence to regulatory standards, and the crucial step of effective filtration.

A look at the different types of producers statements and how these relate to belowground waterproofing.

In light of the recent surge in intense rain events, which were once considered rare but are now becoming more frequent, it has become imperative to address the design considerations for below-ground structures.