07 - Thermal & Moisture Protection
Waterproofing bid estimating, without the grind.
The waterproofing number is set less by the membrane SF than by the detailing — penetrations, terminations, corners, transitions — where labor and leak risk concentrate. Drop in your package and get back a cited first-pass: membrane by SF with the system + warranty that dictate mils/coats, detailing priced explicitly, the below-grade/water-table and AVB-scope flags, and the RFIs that keep a waterproofing bid from losing on a corner.
✓ PE-reviewable✓ Cited to source✓ Your waterproofing workflow
✓
REVIEWED
REVIEWED
Surface prep + substrate acceptancemeasure SF— cite
Below-grade waterproofing (foundation walls, slabs, blindside)measure SF— cite
Plaza / split-slab / roof-deck / planter waterproofingmeasure SF— cite
Traffic / pedestrian / vehicular deck coatingsmeasure SF (by system + wear-course)— cite
Air/vapor barrier (if in the envelope scope)measure SF— cite
5
governing codes
10
line-item groups
6
units of measure
6
risk flags
What it surfaces for waterproofing
Priced for the way waterproofing is actually bid.
The engine reads your package and flags exactly what bites waterproofing estimators — before it costs you.
Governing codes named: ASTM C836/C1305 (fluid-applied membrane + crack-bridging), D6135/D1970 (self-adhered sheet membranes), NRCA/SWRI (waterproofing + sealant install refs), manufacturer system spec (warranty, prep, detailing — governs), IBC Ch. 18/17 (below-grade dampproofing/waterproofing + special inspection).
Line-item groups your bid breaks into: surface prep + substrate acceptance; below-grade waterproofing (foundation walls, slabs, blindside); plaza/split-slab/roof-deck/planter; traffic/pedestrian/vehicular deck coatings; air/vapor barrier; joint sealants + backer rod + primer; expansion-joint systems; drainage/protection board + insulation; flashings, terminations, penetration detailing; flood/leak testing + warranty.
The waterproofing risks ranked: detailing/transitions (penetrations, terminations, envelope transitions are where leaks + labor concentrate — the #1 gap); substrate acceptance (wet/uncured/rough substrates void warranties); air-barrier scope split (a frequent gap + leakage liability); below-grade water table (hydrostatic conditions change method + cost); warranty-driven system; flood-test failures (rework).
The RFIs drafted (verbatim): "Confirm the waterproofing system per condition (fluid-applied vs. sheet vs. bentonite) and the required warranty term + manufacturer inspection?" "Below-grade: water table / hydrostatic head, and positive-side vs. blindside application?" "Air/vapor barrier: in the waterproofing scope or a separate envelope contractor, and how do they tie together?"
The trade's anatomy
Everything waterproofing needs, structured.
Line-item groups
Surface prep + substrate acceptanceBelow-grade waterproofing (foundation walls, slabs, blindside)Plaza / split-slab / roof-deck / planter waterproofingTraffic / pedestrian / vehicular deck coatingsAir/vapor barrier (if in the envelope scope)Joint sealants + backer rod + primerExpansion-joint systemsDrainage / protection board + insulationFlashings, terminations, penetration detailingFlood/leak testing + warranty
Governing codes
ASTM C836 / C1305 · fluid-applied membrane material + crack-bridgingASTM D6135 / D1970 · self-adhered sheet membranesNRCA / SWRI · waterproofing + sealant industry install referencesManufacturer system spec · warranty conditions, substrate prep, and detailing (governs)IBC Ch. 18 / 17 · below-grade dampproofing/waterproofing + special inspection
Units of measure
membrane (below-grade, plaza, roof-deck) → SFtraffic coating / deck coating → SF (by system + wear-course)sealants / joint sealants → LF (by joint size + sealant type)expansion-joint systems → LFdrainage board / protection board → SFdetailing (penetrations, terminations, corners) → EA / LF
The risks that usually bite
Detailing / transitionsSubstrate acceptanceAir-barrier scope splitBelow-grade water tableWarranty-driven systemFlood-test failures
“"Waterproofing's an SF + sealant-LF bid; the manufacturer system sets the price."”
The system $/SF is the floor — the swing is the detailing and the scope split. The analysis prices the penetrations, terminations, corners, and transitions explicitly (instead of as a $/SF add), surfaces the below-grade water-table/application question that changes the method, and splits the air/vapor barrier scope so it doesn't become a leakage liability. A waterproofing bid that prices the detailing is a bid that doesn't leak — literally and on the P&L. Cited hands clean to review.
Run this on your own waterproofing package.
30 minutes. Bring a real set — a below-grade foundation, a plaza/split-slab deck, or a leak-prone envelope — and watch the cited line items, the detailing/transition flags, and the AVB-scope RFIs on your actual drawings.