New Construction Foundation Waterproofing Vancouver
Waterproofing a foundation during construction allows the below-grade walls to be protected before the excavation is backfilled and access to the foundation becomes limited.
Vancouver Underground Drainage Experts provides new construction foundation waterproofing in Vancouver and throughout Greater Vancouver for new homes, additions, strata developments and commercial construction.
Our team can install the required foundation waterproofing and coordinate related below-grade drainage work while the foundation is exposed.
Waterproof the Foundation Before Backfill
After the foundation has been constructed and the forms have been removed, the exterior foundation walls are exposed. This is the opportunity to complete the below-grade waterproofing before soil is placed back against the building.
Waterproofing at this stage avoids having to excavate a finished property later simply to regain access to the foundation walls.
The exact system depends on the foundation construction, project specifications, site conditions and drainage design.
Foundation Wall Preparation
The exposed concrete is inspected and the areas receiving waterproofing are prepared for the specified system.
Waterproofing Membrane
The waterproofing system is installed over the required below-grade portions of the foundation wall to create a continuous water-resistant barrier.
Drainage & Protection
Where required by the project, drainage or protection components are installed over the waterproofing and coordinated with drainage at the base of the foundation.
Ready for Backfill
The waterproofing work is completed while the foundation remains accessible so construction can proceed to the next stage.
Why Waterproof During New Construction?
The major advantage is access. On an existing building, exterior foundation waterproofing can require excavation beside the house to expose walls that are already underground. During new construction, those same walls are already exposed as part of the building process.
No Re-Excavation
The foundation does not need to be dug up specifically to reach the below-grade walls.
Protect the Foundation Before It Is Buried
Waterproofing can be inspected and completed before soil is placed against the foundation.
Coordinate Waterproofing & Drainage
Foundation waterproofing can be coordinated with the below-grade drainage work being completed around the building.
Avoid Disturbing Finished Areas Later
Completing the work before landscaping, walkways, patios and other exterior improvements are installed can prevent unnecessary disruption if waterproofing would otherwise be required later.
Foundation Waterproofing Is Part of the Below-Grade System
A new foundation should not be looked at as only a wall that needs a waterproof coating.
Water reaching a building below grade also needs somewhere appropriate to go. That is why the relationship between the foundation waterproofing, drainage at the footing and surrounding site conditions matters.
Our background in drainage allows us to consider how these components work together rather than treating the foundation membrane as an isolated part of the project.
For projects where we are also responsible for drainage work, the waterproofing and drainage scopes can be coordinated before backfill.
New Homes, Additions & Larger Construction Projects
We provide new construction foundation waterproofing for different types of projects throughout Greater Vancouver.
New Homes
Waterproofing newly constructed below-grade foundation walls before the excavation is backfilled.
Home Additions
Waterproofing new foundation walls constructed as part of an addition or expansion to an existing property.
Strata & Multi-Unit Projects
Below-grade foundation waterproofing for townhouses, multi-unit residential buildings and strata developments.
Commercial Construction
Foundation waterproofing for new commercial buildings and other below-grade construction.
Working With Builders & Contractors
Timing is important on a new construction project.
The waterproofing needs to be completed when the foundation is accessible and before the areas being waterproofed are backfilled.
To review a project, it is helpful for us to receive the following information. This allows us to understand the scope and coordinate the work with the construction schedule.
Please Send Us:
Project address
Building or project type
Foundation plans or waterproofing specifications, if available
Photos of the exposed foundation
Expected waterproofing and backfill schedule
We can then review the project and coordinate the work with your construction schedule.
Experienced With Drainage & Below-Grade Work
Foundation waterproofing and underground drainage are closely connected.
Vancouver Underground Drainage Experts has been serving Greater Vancouver since 2019, and Ricardo Quintana brings more than 20 years of experience with drainage, excavation and larger underground projects.
That experience is particularly useful on new construction projects where foundation waterproofing may need to be coordinated with drainage, excavation and other below-grade work.
Experience
Drainage, excavation and larger underground projects.
Vancouver Since 2019
Drainage Project Experience
Covered
Insurance
New Construction Foundation Waterproofing Across Greater Vancouver
We provide new construction foundation waterproofing throughout Greater Vancouver, including:
New Construction Foundation Waterproofing FAQ
Practical answers for builders, contractors and property owners planning foundation waterproofing before backfill.
At what stage of construction should you waterproof the foundation?
After the concrete foundation walls are complete, the forms are removed, and the walls are accessible—but before backfill.
The normal sequence is:
Do not backfill a wall that still requires waterproofing because the foundation surface needs to remain accessible for the installation.
What needs to be ready before your crew arrives?
The foundation walls being waterproofed need to be exposed and accessible, with enough working space around them to complete the installation.
Before scheduling, send us the project address, foundation plans or waterproofing specifications, current photos, approximate wall measurements if they are not shown on the plans, and the planned backfill date.
If another trade is still working directly against the foundation, we coordinate timing so the waterproofing area is available when our crew arrives.
How far in advance should a contractor book the waterproofing?
Contact us before you lock in the backfill date. Do not wait until the excavation contractor is already onsite and ready to bury the foundation.
Can you quote directly from construction drawings?
Yes, if the drawings provide enough information to determine the scope.
Send the foundation plan, elevations or details showing the below-grade walls, waterproofing specifications, current site photos and your construction schedule.
If the drawings do not clearly show access, wall heights, dimensions or the areas requiring waterproofing, we may need additional measurements, photos or a site visit before providing a firm price.
Can you install the waterproofing specified by our architect or engineer?
We can review the specified system and confirm whether it is a system and scope we install.
Send us the relevant waterproofing detail or specification. We review the membrane, required protection or drainage components and the areas where the system is specified.
If the design calls for a product or installation outside our scope, we will identify that rather than substitute a different system without approval.
What happens where pipes or utilities pass through the foundation?
Penetrations through below-grade foundation walls need to be addressed as part of the waterproofing detail.
For example, if a water service or other permitted penetration passes through a wall being waterproofed, the waterproofing cannot simply stop around the opening and leave an unprotected gap.
We review visible penetrations in the waterproofing area and determine how they need to integrate with the specified system.
Can you waterproof a foundation after some of it has already been backfilled?
Not where the foundation wall that requires waterproofing has already been buried.
The waterproofing system needs access to the foundation surface. If soil has already been placed against a required wall, that section may have to be excavated again before it can be waterproofed.
What happens if it rains before the scheduled waterproofing?
We check whether the foundation surface and site conditions meet the installation requirements of the waterproofing system being used.
For example, standing water in the excavation or a foundation surface that does not meet the product's installation requirements may mean the work has to wait until suitable conditions are achieved.
We do not install a waterproofing product under conditions that conflict with its installation requirements.
Do you also install drainage around the new foundation?
Yes, we can perform related foundation drainage work when it is included in our project scope.
For example, a project may include foundation waterproofing together with drainage at the footing or perimeter before backfill.
Because we specialize in underground drainage, the waterproofing and drainage portions can be coordinated when both are part of our work. The estimate will identify exactly which drainage components are included.
Can the excavation contractor backfill immediately after you finish?
Backfill should begin only after our waterproofing scope and any required protection or drainage components are complete and the system is ready for the next construction stage.
The contractor performing the backfill also needs to avoid damaging the completed waterproofing while placing material against the foundation.
We confirm when our scope is complete rather than having another trade begin burying the wall while waterproofing work is still underway.
What if the waterproofing gets damaged by another trade before backfill?
The damaged area should be assessed and repaired before it is buried.
For example, if equipment, materials or backfilling activity tears, punctures or pulls away part of the installed waterproofing system, do not simply cover the damaged section with soil.
Contact us while the wall remains exposed so the affected area can be inspected and the appropriate repair determined.
Who handles waterproofing where a new addition meets the existing foundation?
The connection needs to be included in the waterproofing plan rather than treating the new and existing foundation walls as completely separate surfaces.
On an addition, we review the new below-grade foundation and the location where it meets the existing structure. The required detail depends on the construction and project design.
If an architect or engineer has specified the connection detail, send it with the plans so our scope can follow the project requirements.
What exactly should I send you to get a price?
Send us the following:
- Project address
- Foundation drawings
- Waterproofing details or specifications
- Current photos of every wall to be waterproofed
- Approximate dimensions if they are not shown on the drawings
- Photos/details of penetrations or unusual foundation conditions
- Date the foundation will be ready
- Planned backfill date
Need Foundation Waterproofing Before Backfill?
Contact us before the foundation is backfilled so we can review the project, waterproofing requirements and construction schedule.
Send Us:
Since 2019
Covered
Liability Insurance
Request a Project Quote
Send your project details and our team will review the waterproofing scope.
Include your foundation details, photos and expected backfill date.
