ᐅ Concrete slab and house protected against moisture with dimpled membrane? Any experiences?
Created on: 21 Jun 2025 23:04
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Bauherrin123
Hello dear homeowners,
Who has experience and can help me? I have been living in the house for 2 years, and now it’s time to work on the exterior landscaping. We have now installed dimpled membrane (drainage membrane) for the terraces, but it already seemed wrong to me. I have since read up on it and am still unsure. Did my construction company deliver a house without properly waterproofing the exterior or what?
The house has no basement. A neighbor said the company applied bitumen and then a slurry coat, and that would be sufficient. Additionally, we are installing the dimpled membrane, which should be more than enough.
Now I don’t know if the dimpled membrane was installed correctly, if the company really applied bitumen, and if everything we're doing is enough — or if we should call a specialist? Attached is a photo; I am totally confused. What do I need to do to protect my house from moisture and damage for the next 10 years? I don’t want to forget anything, as everyone says something different: One road construction worker offers to do it for 150 euros, saying he will remove the gravel, apply the slurry coat, and install the dimpled membrane with the dimples facing the wall. Another person says it would cost 5,000 euros and that there needs to be insulation, then a layer – I don’t know what exactly – then styrofoam, and then the dimpled membrane with drainage.
I am confused.
Who has experience and can help me? I have been living in the house for 2 years, and now it’s time to work on the exterior landscaping. We have now installed dimpled membrane (drainage membrane) for the terraces, but it already seemed wrong to me. I have since read up on it and am still unsure. Did my construction company deliver a house without properly waterproofing the exterior or what?
The house has no basement. A neighbor said the company applied bitumen and then a slurry coat, and that would be sufficient. Additionally, we are installing the dimpled membrane, which should be more than enough.
Now I don’t know if the dimpled membrane was installed correctly, if the company really applied bitumen, and if everything we're doing is enough — or if we should call a specialist? Attached is a photo; I am totally confused. What do I need to do to protect my house from moisture and damage for the next 10 years? I don’t want to forget anything, as everyone says something different: One road construction worker offers to do it for 150 euros, saying he will remove the gravel, apply the slurry coat, and install the dimpled membrane with the dimples facing the wall. Another person says it would cost 5,000 euros and that there needs to be insulation, then a layer – I don’t know what exactly – then styrofoam, and then the dimpled membrane with drainage.
I am confused.
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Bauherrin12323 Jun 2025 14:5911ant schrieb:
This request has so far been fulfilled only twice or three times.
It’s not possible here – hence the question about where else you are posting.
There have been no complaints against you, and @nordanney will simply respond to your lectures by refraining from helping you in the future. Hopefully, you don’t also drive away @derdietmar.I was looking for tradespeople privately, and I was contacted by companies that had been there; I was already in discussions with them at the same time. If someone doesn’t want to, they don’t have to reply to me.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
If you don't want to, you don't have to respond to me.But those who do respond or have responded to you can also expect not to receive lectures in return.https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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nordanney23 Jun 2025 15:08Bauherrin123 schrieb:
That definitely isn’t enough.Why?Bauherrin123 schrieb:
In my opinion,Why? What does the contract say? Dimpled membrane is not a standard item included. That’s part of the landscaping. That may be your opinion, but your “request” has to be written in the contract. The house waterproofing was done. Job done (unless the contract states otherwise). You’re welcome to disagree, but unfortunately, that doesn’t count in house construction.
You can post the relevant sections from your developer contract (if you bought a house including land) or your construction contract with the building company (if you had a house built on your own land). Also regarding how the waterproofing is supposed to be done. This should be specified in the contract or in the scope of work description.
Bauherrin123 schrieb:
That it is part of building the house.Landscaping also belongs to the house, but the company usually doesn’t do that either 😉Bauherrin123 schrieb:
It would have been better if they had used bitumen membrane instead of paint, then it would be waterproof.Yes and no. It would have been better. It is waterproof now as well. This is state of the art. The base is not leaking.Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Dimple membrane alone is sufficient,It is sufficient now (we can still discuss which membrane). You still haven’t addressed drainage and water issues.Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Is this enough now?Once again: Yes.Bauherrin123 schrieb:
But to seal it with bitumen membrane,No, why? It is already waterproofed. Flexible bitumen coating and sealing slurry is the standard application for the base/ground-contact areas. Bitumen membrane is basically the same, just supplied as a sheet instead of being troweled on.Bauherrin123 schrieb:
Then it is waterproof against moisture?As it is now, it is “waterproof”.1. What kind of water exposure are you facing?
2. Is drainage necessary and/or installed?
3. For all “normal” buildings, the current method is a) exactly right and b) nothing is missing, because this does not belong to the house construction (dimpled membrane) but rather to the landscaping—unless it is commissioned or you have a basement.
4. Patio doors are usually sealed with plastic or bitumen sealing membranes or alternatively with liquid-applied waterproofing (roofers often do the first option).
Regarding the patio door: This is roughly how it’s done—regardless of the material. Only then come the further waterproofing steps.
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derdietmar23 Jun 2025 15:24Hello,
the building waterproofing (black bitumen) is fine. In my opinion, that was not paint but was applied in a thick, uneven manner, visible by the clumps on the ground.
The facade waterproofing also seems to be in order, visible from the sealing slurry. To make more precise statements, a picture before backfilling is needed. It is important that the sealing slurry extends downward beyond the plastered area.
The waterproofing of the windows is unclear. From the first picture, you can make out a waterproofing membrane beneath the sealing slurry, visible as a wavy texture under the window. More pictures are needed here as well to provide a clearer assessment.
Based on the limited information available, it can be assumed that all waterproofing was carried out professionally.
The dimpled membrane belongs to the external landscaping. Unless agreed upon in the contract, this is not part of the builder’s or general contractor’s responsibilities. The black dimpled membrane is unsuitable for residential buildings; however, since the dimples face outward, it should not cause any problems if it remains in place. Damage to the facade from the dimples is no longer possible. As long as no vibrating plate compactor is used directly against the house, nothing should happen.
Best regards
the building waterproofing (black bitumen) is fine. In my opinion, that was not paint but was applied in a thick, uneven manner, visible by the clumps on the ground.
The facade waterproofing also seems to be in order, visible from the sealing slurry. To make more precise statements, a picture before backfilling is needed. It is important that the sealing slurry extends downward beyond the plastered area.
The waterproofing of the windows is unclear. From the first picture, you can make out a waterproofing membrane beneath the sealing slurry, visible as a wavy texture under the window. More pictures are needed here as well to provide a clearer assessment.
Based on the limited information available, it can be assumed that all waterproofing was carried out professionally.
The dimpled membrane belongs to the external landscaping. Unless agreed upon in the contract, this is not part of the builder’s or general contractor’s responsibilities. The black dimpled membrane is unsuitable for residential buildings; however, since the dimples face outward, it should not cause any problems if it remains in place. Damage to the facade from the dimples is no longer possible. As long as no vibrating plate compactor is used directly against the house, nothing should happen.
Best regards
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