Reputable waterproofing and damp proofing contractors build their businesses on trust, experience, and quality workmanship. However, even the most skilled contractors can find themselves facing expensive callbacks, reputational damage, and financial losses when a product they used—either by choice or by specification—fails two to three years later.
When failures occur, clients don’t just blame the product—they blame the contractor. Unfortunately, many suppliers refuse to take responsibility, instead shifting the blame to workmanship errors. Even in cases where they acknowledge a product defect and provide replacement materials, contractors are still left covering the cost of labour, reapplication, and additional site expenses.
How Contractors End Up Using the Wrong Products
Contractors who prioritize quality often take great care in selecting materials, but they can still end up using a product that later fails. The most common ways this happens include:
1. Trusting Supplier Claims Without Long-Term Proof
• Many manufacturers aggressively market their products as the best solution for waterproofing and damp proofing applications.
• They often provide technical data sheets and assurances of superior performance, but real-world conditions do not always match lab tests.
• Years later, the system starts to fail—coatings peel, membranes degrade, or damp resurfaces.
• When the contractor approaches the supplier, they often blame workmanship instead of acknowledging a product defect.
2. Being Forced to Use a Specified Product
• On many projects, contractors have no say in product selection—they are required to use whatever system is specified by a consultant.
• Even if the contractor has concerns about the product’s suitability, they must comply with the specification or risk losing the job.
• When failure occurs, the consultant distances themselves from liability, leaving the contractor to deal with the consequences.
3. Relying on Products That Have Hidden Weaknesses
• Some products perform well under controlled test conditions but fail in real-world applications due to factors such as UV exposure, substrate movement, or hydrostatic pressure.
• Some manufacturers alter formulations over time to cut costs, reducing product performance without informing contractors.
• The contractor only discovers these issues years later, when rectification costs fall entirely on them.
Who Takes Responsibility When a Product Fails?
When a waterproofing or damp proofing system fails prematurely, contractors are often left carrying the burden, even when they were not responsible for product selection or formulation.
1. Suppliers Shift the Blame
• Many manufacturers claim their products will last 10+ years, but when failures occur in just two to three years, they often respond with excuses:
• “The surface preparation wasn’t adequate.”
• “The product was applied incorrectly.”
• “Environmental factors caused unexpected degradation.”
• Even when a warranty is in place, suppliers rarely cover labour costs, offering only replacement materials—which does nothing to help the contractor recover their financial losses.
2. Consultants and Engineers Avoid Accountability
• When a consultant specifies a product, they may rely on manufacturer recommendations without fully understanding the limitations of the system.
• When failure occurs, they may argue that the contractor did not follow specifications properly or should have raised concerns earlier.
• Contractors are left dealing with the client’s frustration, despite the fact that they simply followed the given specification.
3. Contractors Pay the Price
• Clients expect contractors to rectify failures, regardless of whether the issue stems from a product defect or a specification failure.
• If a waterproofing failure occurs, contractors often absorb the costs of:
• Labour and equipment for reapplication.
• Lost time that could have been spent on new projects.
• Reputational damage, making it harder to secure future contracts.
• In some cases, legal action may be taken against the contractor, forcing them to redo an entire project at their own expense.
How Contractors Can Protect Themselves
To avoid becoming the scapegoat for product failures, contractors must take proactive steps to mitigate risk and shift accountability to the responsible parties.
1. Demand Stronger Warranties from Suppliers
• Contractors should insist on written warranties that cover both materials and labour in the event of failure.
• If a supplier is unwilling to back their product with a labour-inclusive guarantee, this should raise serious concerns about the product’s reliability.
• Request long-term case studies of the product’s performance, rather than relying solely on lab test results.
2. Be Cautious with Specified Products
• If a consultant has specified a product that seems unsuitable, concerns should be raised in writing before proceeding.
• If forced to use the product, contractors should get written confirmation from the consultant that they take responsibility for the specification.
• Where possible, contractors should propose alternative, proven systems that they have used successfully.
3. Maintain Detailed Documentation
• Keeping records of supplier assurances, consultant instructions, and project conditions is crucial in protecting against liability.
• Before, during, and after photos should be taken to document correct surface preparation and application.
• If a failure occurs, these records can be used to prove that all procedures were followed correctly.
4. Educate Clients on the Risks of Poor Product Selection
• Many clients prioritize cost over quality, leading to the use of inferior or untested products.
• Contractors should clearly outline why they recommend specific materials and warn about the risks of choosing cheaper alternatives.
• Educating clients helps ensure they make informed decisions and may support the contractor in the event of disputes.
5. Consider Legal Protections for High-Risk Projects
• For large or high-risk contracts, legal agreements should specify who is responsible for product failures.
• If a supplier refuses to honour their warranty, contractors should pursue legal action to recover costs.
Final Thoughts: Contractors Must Take Control of Product Selection
Many waterproofing and damp proofing contractors have learned the hard way that using the wrong product—even in good faith—can lead to huge financial losses and reputational damage. While they cannot control product quality, they can control their approach to selecting, documenting, and securing protection against product failures.
• They should not blindly trust supplier claims—demand real-world proof.
• They should not accept specifications without ensuring they are suitable.
• They should not let suppliers or consultants shift blame onto them.
• They should not allow their business to suffer due to someone else’s mistakes.
By taking these precautions, contractors can protect their profits, reputations, and long-term success, ensuring they are never left paying for failures that are not their fault.
