TANKED OR DRAINED, TREAT YOUR BASEMENT LIKE A BATHTUB.

Choosing between a tanked or drained basement design is not as easy as taking the cheapest option; it’s a high-stakes decision that dictates the lifespan of your structure. The cost difference during construction is often a healthy six-figure sum for the developer for even mid-size developments, and potentially an ongoing maintenance cost for the eventual owner or owners.

At Waterproofing Integrity, the bathtub analogy is one we use regularly. Treat your basement like a bathtub. Either have a continuous structure that prevents water getting in or allow water to enter and drain it effectively.

The right strategy requires complex coordination between architects, builders, consultants, council mandates, and site-specific considerations— all while considering how that space is designed and will actually be used. Whether you're designing for a high-end office, media room, laboratory or a car park, the wrong call at the design stage leads to more than just damp walls—it leads to costly disputes, loss of use of the space and can impact the health and amenity of those using the space.  

Don't wait for the mould to tell you that the basement needed more attention during design and construction.

Water is the most patient trespasser on your site; it always finds a way, so we make sure it’s the way out.

Water will find every microscopic flaw in a basement's construction whether that be through a shoring wall, a poorly sealed joint, and every shortcut taken during construction. Because concrete is naturally porous, it cannot be relied upon solely as your waterproofing strategy. Due consideration needs to be given to a solution that respects the intended use, design and specific site conditions—not just a "standard" fix.

So Waterproofing Integrity recommend not to treat waterproofing as an afterthought, unless you want to end up with a basement that feels more like a swamp than a structural asset. 

Stop the leak before it starts, because an 'Indoor Swimming Pool' should never be a surprise feature of your basement.

From 2026, the National Construction Code (NCC) will require basement waterproofing considerations to be factored in design from residential properties to large commercial developments. This requirement was previously exempt from the NCC which often meant water management was not always a key discussion point in design.

At Waterproofing Integrity, our team of structural engineers and waterproofing industry professionals look at each basement for how it is designed, how it will be used, where it is located and the site specific considerations. From that we advise on the best approaches for your site to provide confidence and peace of mind!

Please reach out to us on any of the below

and we will be happy to assist you further.

P: 1300 025 944

E: sales@waterproofingintegrity.com.au