1. General
Materials to be used must meet all relevant and up to date provisions of the Building Code of Australia and standards such as ASCA55, AS3740 “Waterproofing of Wet Areas Within Residential Structures” and Australian Standard for External Waterproofing.
Only Chemind and Grace Waterproofing Membranes and Coatings as specified for each specific application should be used. Any substitution proposed must be verified with Chemind before commencement of work.
All materials shall be installed in conjunction with guidelines as outlined in current product data sheets. Contact Chemind for all other specification needs or special application requirements.

2. Surface Preparation
Generally - surfaces shall be sound, clean, dry and free from dust, protrusions, voids and other contamination. Make good all concrete defects with Chemind Chembond modified mortar.
Fill all joints, cracks and gaps with Chemflex LM low modulus P.U. sealant. Internal corners and Floor/Wall intersections shall receive a fillet of Chemflex LM sealant and allowed to dry.

3. Membrane Application
Work shall only be carried out by a firm approved by Chemind, holding current building license as required, having QA conforming to ISO9002, Site Safety Plan, EBA and all relevant insurances and industry documentation.
Sufficient notice shall be given to allow inspection by sub contractor as applicable to the product system, prior to commencement of work.
Dry film thickness (DFT) is provided for each Chemind Specification contained herein and should be maintained as minimum standard.

4. Access
Basement tanking and retaining walls shall be over-excavated to provide a minimum working space at footings of 1.0m. Deep excavations shall be adequately retained to meet safety standards. If access is restricted use Grace Preprufe blind-side waterproofing membrane.
To optimise quality standards, waterproofing installation should only be carried out immediately prior to installation of finishes, when total areas are available, free of scaffolding, debris, etc.

Pre-Waterproofing Considerations

Suitable Substrates
Chemind and Grace membrane waterproofing systems are suitable for all usual surfaces including – Concrete, CFC, FC, GRC, Hebel™, Concrete Masonry, Render, Precast Concrete, Plastic, Aluminum, Colorbond® Steel, Treated Waterproof Timber Flooring.
However special consideration should be given in the following:
Copper, Damp Surfaces, Ferrous Metal, FRP (Fibreglass/Polyester Resin), Galvanised Steel, Plywood, Particle Board, Stainless Steel, Tilt Up Concrete Panels.

Post Waterproofing Considerations

1. Pre-Tiling Inspection
Prior to application of tiles, bedding mortar or topping slabs, inspect membrane for any damage. The waterproofing sub-contractor only should repair such defects and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Protection from After Trades
Membrane shall be protected from exposure to abuse and damage by any construction traffic. Damage by after trades should be reported to Site Supervisor for repair by waterproofing sub-contractor only.

3. Concrete Toppings & Paving Slabs
To areas where concrete toppings will be installed over Chemind membrane (except Bituthene®), a slip-sheet of 200-micron polyethylene must be used. Paving slabs should be laid using Chemind Multi-Pad corner supports, mortar or bedding sand.

4. Membranes to Below Ground Structures, Landscape and Planter Boxes
Prior to backfilling of soil, drainage gravel, or ballast, Site Foreman should inspect entire surface for any damage. The waterproofing sub-contractor only should repair such defects. Install Chemind Protectoboard or Protectodrain to all vertical surfaces and areas where damage may occur. Protect drainage lines and outlets from silt blockage by use of a geotextile fabric. For permanent trouble free drainage use Chemind Rapid-Drain.

5. Plant Selection to Landscape and Planter Boxes
DO NOT OVERPLANT landscaped areas and planter boxes, as membranes may be damaged by aggressive root systems in confined areas. If root potential is unknown, it may be advisable to cover membrane with 50mm concrete topping.

After Trades & Associated Works

1. Adhesives
Chemind supplies a range of compatible adhesives including:
Chembond - polymer modifier for render and concrete topping mixes.
Chem-Fix and Chem-Fix Super - for bonding ceramic tiles to Chemind Membranes and Sound-Shield.
Chem-Fix Acoustiflex (Polyurethane) - for bedding Chemind Sound-Shield and ceramic or timber finishes.

2. Cement Render
Cement render containing Chemind Chembond polymer additive or other suitable polymer modified render, may be applied onto Chemind Membranes taking care to avoid rapid surface drying of render. Contact Chemind regarding hot or breezy weather conditions and low build paint finishes. Chemind Blockflex high build decorative membrane is recommended for over-painting. Thin build render is not recommended over Grace Bituthene® or Procor® membranes.

3. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles may be fixed directly to Chemind Membranes using Chemind Chem-Fix Adhesives. Contact Chemind for specific adhesive requirements to meet application needs. Direct tile fixing is not recommended to Grace Bituthene® or Procor® membranes. Tiles may be fixed directly to cement screeds or topping using any proprietary modified cementicious powder type adhesives such as Chem-Fix Standard.
Tiles may be fixed directly to Chemind Sound-Shield acoustic underlay with Chem-Fix Super two-part rubber based adhesive or Chem-Fix Acoustiflex one part polyurethane mastic adhesive.

4. Paint
Chemind Blockflex membrane or other premium grade exterior acrylic paints may be applied over Chemind Membranes. Contact Chemind for coating requirements to specific membranes.

5. PU Sealant
Chemind Chemflex LM low modulus or Chemind Chemflex FC fast cure sealants are compatible with all Chemind membranes except Hydroflex for which water based polyurethane or acrylic sealant should be used.

6. Solvent
Although most Chemind Membranes have reasonable resistance to solvent any such contact should be minimised and any damage quickly repaired. Chemind Hydroflex is badly damaged by any solvent containing coatings, sealants and adhesives.

7. Sub-Trades
Sub-trades performing work or installing materials in association with surfaces protected by Chemind and Grace Waterproof Membrane systems should satisfy themselves of the fitness for use of any product with its manufacturer, prior to commencement of work.

8. Vinyl Sheet & Synthetic Turf
These may be adhered to Chemind Membranes using water-based adhesives or solvent-free epoxy based adhesives only. Do not glue to Grace Bituthene® or Procor®, however sand filled Synthetic Turf is appropriate for this purpose.

Note: This specification should be read in conjunction with manufacturer’s guidelines as outlined in the current product data sheets. The above-specified products must be applied by a Chemind Construction Products approved applicator.