Vertical PVC/Bituminous Membrane Installation Checklist

Definition: Vertical PVC/Bituminous Membrane Installation Checklist for site supervisors verifies vertical substrates, laps, and terminations, including plinth interfaces, delivering compliant, durable wall waterproofing while explicitly excluding horizontal membrane scopes.

Confirm substrates are sound, dry, and plumb before application.
Control laps, seams, and terminations for watertight, durable walls.
Document primers, temperatures, lot numbers, and photo evidence for compliance.
Interactive, commentable checklist with export and QR code authentication.

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Checklist

Vertical PVC/Bituminous Membrane Installation Checklist gives project teams a focused, field-ready process to install vertical waterproofing membranes correctly on walls. It covers vertical waterproofing membranes from both PVC and bituminous systems, including bituminous torch-on vertical membrane work and PVC wall liners, without touching any horizontal scopes. The checklist zeroes in on substrate verification, seam laps, top and side terminations, and the critical detailing at plinths to keep water out for the structure’s lifespan. By enforcing temperature and moisture controls, strict overlap dimensions, calibrated welding or torching, and verified termination bars and sealants, teams reduce rework, blistering, and hidden leaks in backfilled conditions. Practical acceptance cues—such as evenness tolerances, confirmed dew point margins, and documented peel tests—anchor decisions and sign-offs. Use this interactive checklist on site: tick items as you go, add comments to flag punch points, and attach photos and readings. When complete, export to PDF/Excel and secure records with a QR-backed audit trail.

Interactive online checklist with tick, comment, and export features secured by QR code. Field teams capture photos, readings, and signatures, while supervisors verify laps, terminations, and plinth details. QR authentication streamlines audits, preserves version control, and supports rapid closeout documentation for vertical wall waterproofing.
Achieve durable, watertight vertical walls by verifying substrate dryness, evenness, and verticality; enforcing correct primers; and documenting calibrated welding/torching. Consistent lap dimensions, seam testing, and termination bars with compatible sealants sharply reduce leak risk and costly excavation or interior remediation later.
Proactive evidence collection—lot numbers, coverage rates, temperature and moisture logs, seam maps, and torque records—creates defensible compliance. Structured steps help multiple trades coordinate around penetrations and plinth interfaces, preventing discontinuities and ensuring membranes survive backfilling, impacts, and thermal cycling.

Pre-Installation Preparation

1. Review approved documents and ensure all materials, tools, and permits are in place.
2. Confirm delivery condition and storage: PVC/bituminous rolls upright, dry, 5–30 °C; record batch/lot numbers, COAs, and MSDS with photos.
3. Verify tool readiness: hot-air welder calibration certificate, seam roller, torch (if applicable), seam probe; log calibration settings and gas leak test results.
4. Implement safety controls: PPE, hot-work permit, 9 kg extinguishers within 10 m, fire watch plan; upload permit references and station photos.

Substrate Verification (Vertical)

5. Measure substrate moisture with a CM meter; accept ≤ 5% by mass or per system; record readings, locations, and timestamps.
6. Check evenness using a 2 m straightedge; tolerance ≤ 3 mm deviation; grind high spots and recheck; add before/after photos.
7. Remove dust, oil, laitance, and curing residues by grinding or shot-blasting; note method, area (m²), and upload cleanliness photos.
8. Repair voids and cracks > 2 mm with polymer-modified mortar; respect cure time; document product, batch, and ambient conditions with photos.
9. Verify plumb and corners: ≤ 5 mm in 2 m; install 45° fillets at internal corners with compatible mastic/mortar; photo evidence.

Membrane Application (Vertical)

10. Apply approved primer uniformly by roller at specified rate; no puddles or pinholes; record consumption versus area and drying time.
11. Confirm ambient/substrate temperature 5–35 °C and ≥ 3 °C above dew point; log readings with a hygrometer/IR thermometer and time-stamp.
12. Hang first sheet plumb from base upward using clamps/temporary fixings; ensure no wrinkles or fishmouths; capture alignment photos with level.
13. Bond sheet per system (self-adhere/torch/adhesive) using a silicone roller; verify full contact by tap test; log zones corrected.

Laps and Seams (Vertical)

14. Mark lap lines: PVC ≥ 50 mm; bituminous ≥ 80–100 mm or per system; photo close-ups with ruler for each elevation.
15. Weld PVC laps using calibrated hot-air welder and roller; achieve continuous bead; record temperature, nozzle, and travel speed.
16. Torch-weld bituminous laps to form 3–5 mm bleed line without scorching; document bead continuity and corrective actions with photos.
17. Probe-test all seams; rectify fishmouths immediately; perform peel test (1 per 20 m) expecting cohesive failure; log locations and results.

Terminations & Flashings (Vertical)

18. Install termination bars at top edges into sound substrate; spacing per system (e.g., 150–200 mm centres); verify torque and fastener type.
19. Apply compatible sealant over termination bar/reglet as continuous fillet; capture continuous bead photos and record sealant batch/expiry.
20. Detail vertical penetrations with pre-formed boots or patches; fully weld/adhere; conduct 5-minute targeted spray test; attach photos and notes.

Plinth Terminations (Base of Wall)

21. Terminate membrane at plinth/kicker with compression bar or reglet ≥ 150 mm above finished grade; seal continuously; photo with tape measure.
22. Install protective/drainage board at plinth to shield membrane; fix per system; document product, fixation pattern, and area (m²).
23. Form drip-edge or bead to shed water away from plinth; verify continuity at corners; supervisor sign-off and photos required.
24. Complete final inspection: mark seam map, terminations, and plinth details; upload as-built photos; collect installer, supervisor, and QA signatures.

Substrate Readiness for Vertical Membranes

A watertight system starts with a compliant vertical substrate. Concrete or masonry must be dry, clean, even, and plumb. Use a CM meter to confirm moisture (≤ 5% by mass or per the approved system). Grind or shot-blast to remove laitance, dust, and curing residues. Check evenness with a 2 m straightedge and correct deviations over 3 mm; abrupt ridges telegraph through and create voids behind the membrane. Verify verticality within 5 mm per 2 m for neat sheet alignment. At internal corners, install 45° fillets to soften transitions and prevent bridging. Environmental control matters: confirm the substrate is at least 3 °C above dew point and that ambient/substrate temperatures sit within 5–35 °C during priming and bonding. Record all readings and cleaning methods, plus before/after photos. On real jobs, crews often save hours by flagging moisture pockets early; targeted repairs and re-tests prevent trapped vapour, blisters, and rework behind protection boards.

Moisture verified with CM meter and documented by location.
Evenness within 3 mm over 2 m after surface prep.
Verticality within 5 mm per 2 m for sheet alignment.
Install 45° fillets at corners to avoid bridging.
Maintain ≥ 3 °C above dew point during works.

Laps, Welding, and Seam Assurance

Reliable laps make or break vertical waterproofing. Lay out sheets plumb and pre-mark lap widths—typically ≥ 50 mm for PVC and ≥ 80–100 mm for bituminous, or not less than manufacturer instructions. For PVC, keep welder calibration current and record set temperature, nozzle type, and travel speed; create a continuous, glossy weld bead and test coupons if required. For bituminous, apply controlled heat to produce a modest 3–5 mm bleed line without scorching or voids. Probe-test every seam and immediately correct fishmouths. Perform periodic peel tests (for example, one per 20 m of seam) expecting cohesive failure within the membrane layer, not adhesive failure. Photograph a ruler against laps and log all test locations and results. In practice, disciplined seam mapping and probe testing prevent hidden discontinuities that only appear after backfilling or driving rain, and they provide defensible QA records during handover.

Pre-mark lap widths and photograph with a ruler.
Calibrate welder and log temperature and speed.
Torch bituminous laps for consistent 3–5 mm bleed.
Probe-test 100% of seams and record repairs.
Peel tests show cohesive, not adhesive, failure.

Terminations and Plinth Detailing

Terminations lock vertical membranes against wind, movement, and water tracking. Secure top edges with termination bars anchored into sound substrate; verify fastener type, spacing, and torque. Seal continuously with a compatible sealant to create a robust fillet. For vertical penetrations, use pre-formed boots or reinforced patches and perform targeted spray tests to ensure leak-free integration. At the plinth or base of wall, terminate the membrane with a compression bar or reglet set at least 150 mm above finished grade, then protect with drainage or protection boards to resist backfill damage. Include a drip-edge or bead to shed water away from the plinth. Photograph every termination and record sealant batch numbers. These details prevent capillary tracking at terminations and impact damage near grade, keeping vertical waterproofing reliable without referencing or depending on horizontal membrane scopes.

Fasten termination bars and verify torque values.
Apply continuous, compatible sealant fillets.
Test penetrations with targeted water spray.
Terminate ≥ 150 mm above finished grade.
Install protection/drainage boards at plinth.

How to Use This Interactive Checklist

Preparation: gather approved drawings, system datasheets, calibrated tools (welder, probe, moisture meter), and materials. Confirm permits and safety gear. Define inspection lots and assign responsible persons.
Open the checklist, enable interactive mode, and set project, location, elevation, and date. Preload acceptance criteria, testing frequency, and photo requirements according to the approved project specifications and authority requirements.
Execute field checks in order. Tick items as completed, enter measurements and observations, and attach photos, readings, and batch numbers. Use mandatory fields to prevent missing evidence.
Use comments to flag nonconformities, assign actions with due dates, and mention stakeholders. Add follow-up photos and verification notes once corrective works are complete.
Review completion percentage, validate required evidence, and obtain digital signatures from installer, supervisor, and QA. Confirm any outstanding snags are closed.
Export the checklist as PDF/Excel, generate a QR-secured record link, and archive within the project’s document control system for traceable audits and handover.

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Aria Cohen Aria Cohen

Feb 25, 2026

FAQ

Question: What environmental conditions are acceptable for installing vertical PVC or bituminous membranes?

Keep ambient and substrate temperatures between 5–35 °C, with the substrate at least 3 °C above dew point to avoid condensation. Ensure the substrate is dry (≤ 5% moisture by mass or per system requirements). Avoid installation during rain or strong wind that may compromise adhesion or weld stability.

Question: How wide should vertical laps be for PVC and bituminous membranes?

Follow the manufacturer’s minimums. As a practical guide, PVC side laps are commonly ≥ 50 mm, while bituminous laps are typically ≥ 80–100 mm. Pre-mark lap lines, photograph a ruler at sample points, and verify by probe and periodic peel tests to confirm continuous bonding along the full seam length.

Question: What is the correct way to terminate membranes at the plinth or base of wall?

Terminate with a compression bar or reglet not less than 150 mm above finished grade, then seal continuously with a compatible sealant. Install protection or drainage boards to shield the membrane during backfilling and use a drip-edge to shed water away from the plinth. Document fastener spacing, torque, and sealant batches.

Question: How do I verify seam quality on vertical applications without destructive testing?

Probe-test 100% of seams with a rounded probe to detect voids or fishmouths, and conduct targeted water spray tests at complex details. Supplement with periodic peel tests on sacrificial tabs if allowed. Log welder settings, lap dimensions, and corrective actions, and capture close-up photos for a defensible QA record.