Seminar on Waterproofing Materials and Solutions

The seminar on waterproofing materials and solutions by the Henkel Polybit brand was held on April 26, 2022, on the 11th floor of the CONINCO Building, 4 Ton That Tung Street, Kim Lien, Dong Da, Hanoi.

On April 26, at the 11th-floor conference hall of the CONINCO Building, VietBase Co., Ltd., together with Henkel Polybit, organized a seminar on waterproofing materials and solutions for construction projects. The seminar was attended by Mr. Nguyen Quang Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Building Materials at the Ministry of Construction, Mr. Niles Mehata, Global Business and Infrastructure Director for UAE at Henkel Polybit, Mr. Ali Binbrek, representative of the Henkel Polybit brand, Mr. Nguyen Viet Huu, Director of VietBase Co., Ltd., as well as representatives of investment companies, contractors, and other invited guests.

Currently, waterproofing issues are prevalent in many construction projects, drawing considerable public attention due to the significant damage caused by leaks and seepage. In Vietnam, most residential construction projects utilize exterior waterproofing, yet many of them still experience seepage issues. According to a survey by the Civil Engineering Department of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, 84.35% of buildings in Ho Chi Minh City under 10 years old suffer from seepage, with a basement seepage rate of 78.3%. Seepage rates in other countries include 60% in the USA, 53% in Singapore, with Italy, Spain, Australia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong also regarding seepage as a severe issue. Globally, to address basement seepage, reverse waterproofing systems often involve a design that includes drainage channels, secondary walls, pumps, and dehumidifiers that need to be maintained throughout the building’s lifespan. However, water can still accumulate, and these waterproofing layers may degrade over time, or water may find other routes to infiltrate the basement.

Moreover, waterproofing subcontractors often tend to refuse to offer warranties when issues arise, accepting the loss of the warranty fee instead. This is understandable, as the cost to address seepage often far exceeds the warranty amount held by the investor.

In theory, “positive-side” waterproofing—preventing seepage directly at the water source, such as exterior basement walls or inner surfaces of water tanks—is ideal, as it protects the concrete structure. Numerous positive-side waterproofing solutions for underground structures have been introduced, using a range of materials like surface coatings, admixtures in concrete, and penetrative crystals. However, for various reasons—such as product quality, installation errors, concrete shrinkage, or structural movement—many underground structures still experience seepage into the interior after a short period in practice.