Below-the-ground waterproofing specifications are derived mainly by the water table level and basement grade according to BS 8102:2009 guidance. The critical challenges encountered in below-the- ground constructions are:

• High water table and hence water management.
• Encounter huge rocks in the soil which will hamper the progress.
• Loose soil and hence landslides and earth falls.
• Building is very near to the lake/river stream and high water pressure.
• Rise in water table during rains due to loose soil strata.

Apart from the above, which are related to Mother Earth, engineers also face challenges from the construction limitations like:

• Construction joints
• Tie rod holes
• Shuttering joints
• Starter/kicker joints
• Honey comb
• Concrete quality
• Shuttering quality
• Workmanship/quality of work force.
• Pressure release valves

The podium slab is the interconnecting slab between the structure and superstructure in a building. Podium slabs provide the access drive to various apartment blocks. The lawns and gardens are also a part of the podium slabs. The podiums are also subjected to dynamic loads due to vehicle movements.

In any apartment building or malls or IT complex, we find the large area being occupied by podium slabs. As the podium slabs are open to the sky during rain, a large amount of water gets collected. A proper drainage system should be planned to remove the water from these slabs. Apart from this, the expansion joints which are a part of podium slabs are the most critical joints that need separate attention and special treatment for full-proof waterproofing.

Podium slabs are the worst affected element in building construction because of their multi-faceted usage and the facilities it support. Some of the common activities that podiums support are:

Driveways: Moving loads

Gardens/cans: Wet throughout the year

Pools/Ponds body: Concentrated load and water throughout

Exposure prone: Usually not covered and hence to rain and UV attacks

As podium slabs are designed to facilitate multi-facet usage it is intended to perform, the waterproofing systems also should be able to support and outperform throughout the structure's life.

Roof waterproofing is the most critical aspect of building a waterproofing system. The requirements on green building and over-deck insulation systems or terrace garden erections have posed many more challenges to engineers in the selection of the right waterproofing systems for terrace waterproofing.

As we move on and phase out of brickbat coba systems which were formerly used as the sloping building and waterproofing systems over the roof terraces the screeds applied on the roof also have posed new challenges such as cracks in the screed, joints, thermal cracks overloading etc.

While we define the roof waterproofing systems, roofs can be generally classified into various forms based on the type, conditions, and utility.

Based on the type of construction

1. Flat roofs
2. Sloped roofs
3. Composite deck systems
4. Steel sheeting roofs
5. Pre-cast segmental
6. Domes
7. Industrial roofs with pre-cast folded plates

Based on the utility

1. Roof with screed to slope
2. Sloped roofs with or without tile finishes
3. Roof with lawns and gardens
4. Roof with over-deck insulation
5. Roof with under-deck insulation
6. Roof with water bodies/swimming pools
7. Roof for helipad support
8. Industrial roofs with machinery and equipment
9. Commercial roofs with solar, chiller, and fire-fighting support installations

The waterproofing requirements in terms of performance criteria will differ based on venous forms and needs and precise selection of waterproofing products for the intended purpose.

The toilet sunken slabs, exposed balconies, kitchen areas, and wash areas are considered to be the wet areas which are susceptible to continuous water immersion, and treatment of these areas with a good waterproofing system is of utmost importance.

Brushbond RFX: A two-component acrylic-modified cementitious heavy-duty waterproofing product is recommended. Brushbond RFX is applied at 1 mm thickness in two coats and has a good bond strength to concrete surfaces and forms a seamless coating with a good elongation The product needs over covering with screed or plaster.

Brushbond: Brushbond is a two-component acrylic polymer-modified waterproofing membrane which consists of Brushbond powder and Brushbond liquid acrylic emulsion. A stiff brush or trowel can simply apply Brushbond at 1 mm thickness in two coats. The product needs over covered with screed or plaster.

For tile fixing overuse of polymer-rich tile adhesives and polymer-rich or epoxy tile grouts will yield better results for long-term durability

Generally, buildings are coated with high-quality cement-based or acrylic-based paints which are available in the open market in a variety of colors as decorative coatings for the exterior surfaces of the buildings.

Nitocote Wallguard: Nitocote Wallguard is specially designed to accommodate the cracks in the plasters, highly flexible, having more than double the thickness of conventional exterior paints, has good resistance to the growth of algae, and wind-driven rains, and is the best protection for external walls. It is also available in different colors to the choice of the customer for aesthetic and decorative purposes apart from waterproofing property.

Water tanks and sump tanks are the most important elements in a building. The leakages of water through these structures will be a painful entity for the users. The specification requirement and product selection are of utmost importance for these structures.

Nitocote CM 210: Nitocote CM 210 is a heavy-duty acrylic polymer modified cementitious waterproofing coating applied at 2 mm thickness which acts as a standalone system for waterproofing as it's algae growth resistance and food grade certified too. CM210 comes with the food grade certification from the WARS UK.

Nitocote EP405: an epoxy-based food grade certified coating for the water tanks where the I basic waterproofing had been done with Brushbond RFX system over covered with cement plasters. The Nitocote EP 405 forms a plastic lining in the water tanks which is very easy to clean and does not support the growth of fungus and algae.

Swimming pool is the most important structure in a building. It carries water in it for the entire life for which it is designed. Waterproofing material specification draws a special attention to this structure. The properties of the material should have robustness in terms of durability, elongation flexibility and waterproofing.

Nitocote CM 210: Nitocote CM 210 is a heavy duty acrylic polymer modified cementitious waterproofing coating applied at 2 mm thickness which acts as a standalone system for waterproofing as well it's algae growth resistance and food grade are certified too. CM210 cnes with the food grade certification from the WARS UK

Nitotile MPA: Multi-purpose tile adhesive. The white adhesive variant in the MPA is recommended for the fixing of glass. This will help in fixing the files over the plastered surfaces in the swimming pool areas. Tile joints to be addressed with Nitotile EPW, an epoxy tile joint filler which is resistant to growth of algae and fungus in the tile joints