7 eye-opening learnings – The KARMA of WATERPROOFING INDUSTRY!

Waterproofing industry has outgrown for multiple reasons to share, and one of them is the NEGLIGENCE of the worker or the associates; I blame not only the associates but also the client (I would disclose the reason in other post).

Sharing an Experience of SITE INSPECTION for WATERPROOFING ISSUES:

An apartment in a decently premium locality with one flat per floor with 3800sq.ft. of usable area in 18 storey building.
The 7th-floor apartment of Mr ABC (not disclosing the clients name) had undergone remodelling-renovation last year and the same completed in JAN2020 in consultation of Architectural firm XYZ ( I respect the Architects and their associate for their vast study and don’t want to hamper their credibility).

Client (Mr. Ramchandran) on lower floor had called Raja & Raja® – Waterproofing Solutions Experts for the inspection and identification the source of the problem and rectify the same; as there had been inconvenience for them to occupy the premises.

While our investigation we had surveyed the client’s place and upper floor where damage was coming from.
Architect & Client were there. In interaction with Mr. ABC, the architect shared that there were no signs of dampness-seepage-leakage identified while they started the site.

I asked them what made you conclude that there was no dapness-seepage-leakage?
He said we broke up the tile and checked for dampness!
I asked, what about bedding mortar?
He responds, His team found it unnecessary to check the bedding mortar as there was no dampness beneath the tile mortar.

Here comes a twist!
As per the client, the leakage was been since SEPT2018 and he had done multiple communication with upper floor neighbour & society for that matter.
Mr. ABC assured to get the work done and resolve the lekage issues while he undertakes renovation.

While understanding more about what all activities client & the architect who remodelled the apartment, got to know this “???????????????? ????????????????’???? ???????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????” despite the lower floor client had done multiple communication,

AND

the reason of not doing the waterproofing “???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????? ????????????????????????????????”

Now, during the visit, I asked the architect to accompany me to the lower floor and have a glance about his comments. He saw and he was blue faced.

The architect asked me for a legitimate reason to prove if the leakage is from the same apartment which he remodelled, And to defend he also said: “THE LEAKAGE COULD BE BECAUSE OF MONSOON OR FROM OTHER PART OF FLOOR”.

I couldn’t resist to break the arrogance, negligence and attitude of architect for the following reasons:

1. The building only had one floor per flat.
2. There were no other signs of damaged found in paint in any other part of the apartment and floor.
3. Also there was no monsoon during my visit
   Nor the monsoon in Mumbai occurs round the year!
   If the leakage is due to monsoon, it shall not possess the dampness at least after 60days.

Sharing some of the WITNESSES to share with you all to understand never underestimate the WATER

???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????:

1. Always keep your eye & brain open while doing the investigation; Think from idiot’s point of view & question every detail.
2. Hear the conversation and then respond.
3. Prefer the use of stairs (For Health & Career) and not the lift.
   Remember construction takes time.
4. Identify the sources with the logic of gravity and relativity.
   Don’t blind fire the solutions.
5. No shreds of evidence could be destroyed 100%.
   Stop covering them off with Tiles / Facades / Wallpapers and Paints.
6. Never challenge anyone to suppress your mistakes/failures.
   Learn from mistakes/failure and improvise, Learning never ends and World doesn’t end if you fail.
7. Water is like KARMA; rather WATER IS KARMA!

An appeal to the Architect – Interior Designer – Contracting – Builders – Developers – Construction industry fraternity:
We appreciate your presence in the industry and acknowledge your masterpieces.
But don’t neglect the strengthening & sustainability factors for your masterpiece to last generations.
They sustainability & strength is not only affecting the client’s investment but also raising the question on the integrity of the industry and most importantly your FAME attached!

Let’s be open and build a sustainable enviornment for all!