"Do it right the first time" — it's almost a cliche.
But when it comes to waterproofing, not doing it right
the first time can have truly disastrous results. A leaky
foundation in a residential building can damage finishes
and furnishings, even the structure itself. In a
commercial building, water can ruin expensive equipment
and disrupt vital work. It all adds up to lost
money, wasted time, upset customers — and sometimes
litigation.
Waterproofing isn't pretty, and since it's going to
get buried anyway, it's easy to skimp and go for dampproofing
instead — that cold black stuff in a bucket
that you paint on. But dampproofing will only retard
moisture; it can't