On the back of a real-estate boom, Mordor Intelligence expects the Indian waterproofing solutions market to touch $ 1.81 billion in 2030, from $1.18 billion now, expanding at a CAGR of 7.44 per cent. Waterproofing solutions in the Indian market are majorly acrylic-based products, some are cementitious or polyurethane-based, and very few are polyurea-based. Of all these, “polyurethane and polyurea stand out for their remarkable performance, offering elasticity and excellent resistance against wear and the extreme weather conditions often seen in different parts of India,” says Sammeer Karkhanis, Founder, Odd Jobs Waterproofing. However, he cautions that the effectiveness of these products depends heavily on the region in which they are being sold. CW identifies winning products as well as the gaps in the market. Top picks First up, rubberised membranes have a seamless, elastomeric nature, which bridges cracks and accommodates structural movements, thus ensuring long-term waterproofing and flexibility, avers Rhythum Garg, Co-Founder & Technical Head, Garg Waterproofing Company. “By strongly adhering to concrete, rubberised membranes also minimise failures due to delamination.” He says rubberised membranes from companies such as Sakarni Damp Kawach and Eniroof SPR are ideal for terraces and exposed structures. Poly600 from Bulwark Cool Coats and Chemicals is a two-component polyurea-based waterproofing product. According to GA Ganesh, Technical Director, Dr Terrace Waterproofing, it has exhibited high tensile strength with high elongation in all the projects he has used it in, including corporate projects. “Made with Malaysian technology, Poly600 stands out for being applicable with a roller, instead of the spray machine that is usually needed to apply polyurea waterproofing coatings,” he says. “The spray machine itself costs Rs 10 lakh, which is beyond the budget of most waterproofing contractors.” Another newcomer, HDPE weldable grade membrane, addresses the shortcomings of HDPE non-weldable grade, peel and stick membranes, which necessitated a lot of joints and therefore tended to fail, especially in areas with high hydrostatic pressure, says Bijimol Prajul, CEO, SIWIN (Sudish’s Institute of Waterproofing and Insulation). “MMA (methyl methacrylate) is also a good product but not commonly recommended because it is expensive.” Garg also identifies tri-layered composite membranes, membranes combining multiple protective layers for enhanced durability, as a new long-lasting, maintenance-free solution. “These membranes from companies such as Er. Chem have been effectively used in podium decks and basements. By providing excellent resistance to hydrostatic pressure and external weather conditions, they are suited to swimming pools and water bodies.” Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) joint tapes are a reliable, long-term waterproofing for critical junctions, providing superior sealing and protection from water ingress in expansion joints, core-cut penetrations and wet areas, he adds. “In an industrial facility, we used TPE joint tapes from companies such as Er. TAPE NW and SIKA Tapes to address persistent leakage issues at expansion joints and pipe penetrations. These tapes provided superior elasticity and crack-bridging properties, significantly improving the overall performance of the waterproofing system.” What’s missing? Making in India has helped ensure high-performing waterproofing products designed to withstand the country’s regional weather-related challenges, says Karkhanis. “In the open to sky application category, products that are made in India are especially preferred.” However, many specific products that are manufactured, such as for wall dampness, are designed solely with the goal of offering a quick fix at an economical price, without going into the root causes of issues such as wall dampness, efflorescence and flaking, he continues. “Most manufacturers are just copy-pasting a formulation; they aren’t doing enough R&D or surveys to understand common problems. As a result, most waterproofing products fail to deliver the long-term performance expected by consumers.” A major gap in the waterproofing industry is the lack of standardised, user-friendly solutions for retrofit applications, applicable externally without major structural modifications, states Garg. “Many existing buildings face leakage issues but the market is still dominated by systems designed for application during the construction phase, where all structural elements are accessible.” Essentially, he believes many retrofit waterproofing products fail to provide long-term performance, with issues reoccurring within one to two years. “The solutions usually come without warranties. Even if warranties are provided, the terms and conditions are so restrictive that claiming them becomes nearly impossible.” Another gap is in the waterproofing segment for retaining walls. “Liquid coatings, SBS membranes and sprayed systems exist but each has its own limitations,” observes Prajul. “The presence of dampness or moisture while applying such systems and using unskilled labour in hazardous situations like deeply excavated areas contribute to the failure of such systems. Many times, the membrane gets damaged while backfilling.” He highlights the need for a cost-effective, liquid system that can be applied even in the presence of dampness, which sets instantly and is joint-free. Instant-setting, bitumen-based, liquid-applied products available in the global market are expensive. “We also need a liquid system to repair terraces without demolishing them,” adds Prajul. “Polyurea is aromatic and needs UV protection and is also difficult to apply in high-rise buildings as it is spray-applied using machines. We need a fine-tuned product in the category of UV-exposed hybrid polyurea that can be hand-applied.” To develop solutions delivering reliable, long-lasting results, Karkhanis says “manufacturers must interact with customers and applicators to identify the reasons behind problems, not just focus on selling products.” Quality concerns Notwithstanding the advanced products now available in the Indian waterproofing market, most products are still based on acrylic, which is a low-end, inexpensive raw material compared to polyurethane and polyurea, says Ganesh. “Popular waterproofing products in the Indian market are from paint companies such as Pidilite, Berger and Asian Paints, and their strategy seems to be to encourage customers to club a paint job with waterproofing every couple of years, an approach that pulls down the price as well as the quality of the product.” Consequently, he imports some waterproofing chemicals from UAE, Malaysia or Germany for corporate clients who ask for very high-quality products. “Such products offer more strength and last 2x as long as what is available in the Indian market. Waterproofing is something that should last a decade.” On the subject of price plus quality, Ganesh has had a more positive experience with smaller, regional companies such as Bulwark Cool Coats and Chemicals than with pan-Indian companies like Fosroc, Sika, Dr Fixit, etc. “It may be because their marketing overheads are minimal or because they are catering to a niche market and have introduced good technology into the country,” he reasons. “Most individual customers get influenced by intense advertising campaigns of big brands and opt for those products.” In price-sensitive geographies, customers prioritising cost over the long-term value of a product and unrealistic expectations from poor quality products cause waterproofing failures, disappointment and, ultimately, greater costs over time owing to repairs and replacements, believes Karkhanis. Training gap India’s real waterproofing problem is unqualified experts flooding the market, in the view of Titus Pereira, Director, Wet2Dry Solutions. He says eight in 10 waterproofing companies in India are run by individuals with little to no formal training, who claim to be experts but rely on trial-and-error techniques, leading to poor material selection, incorrect application techniques, dilution of materials, high failure rates, contractors ghosting clients and financial losses. “In waterproofing, it’s not about what material you are using, but the application and how well you execute the job,” he maintains. “Even the best products fail if the applicator lacks the necessary expertise and training,” agrees Karkhanis. “We’ve also seen highly skilled applicators make the most of even less-than-ideal products but very few companies offer an authorised applicator with a written warranty, reflecting the lack of confidence in the products themselves.” To take waterproofing to the next level, Pereira says India needs a structured and professional approach focusing on training, certification and accountability, areas that genuine providers provide. “Training through formal programmes and government-recognised certifications will ensure only qualified professionals operate in the market,” he states. “Creating awareness about this will help clients identify real experts and avoid unqualified contractors.” On the same lines as plumbing and electrical work, Pereira believes waterproofing should have standardised regulations to ensure that leakages are permanently fixed. “Also, companies should be held accountable for their work by providing guarantees and warranties on waterproofing projects.” Rahul Gowda, Managing Partner, The Bangalore Waterproofing Company, calls out not only the shortage of trained and experienced applicators but also the lack of follow up on the performance of applicators who have undergone training from reputed waterproofing manufacturers. “Just getting a certificate after training isn’t enough to guarantee effective waterproofing,” he says. “Waterproofing is a specialised field but it is becoming generalised because anyone becomes an applicator, and any plumber or painter says they know the process. Buyers must conduct background checks before hiring.” The need of the hour: Unbiased training in waterproofing SIWIN (Sudish’s Institute of Waterproofing and Insulation) is an ISO and Construction Industry Development Council-certified institution offering formal training programmes in waterproofing and insulation. Its centre of excellence in Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru, and centre in Thane, Maharashtra, provide training and consultancy services across India. SIWIN also has a laboratory equipped with a universal testing machine, thermal imaging cameras, rebound hammers, ultrasonic thickness gauge, positector testing machine, etc. for non-destructive and destructive testing of waterproofing membranes. “Many experienced civil engineers lack awareness since waterproofing isn’t included in their curriculum; in practical life, too, waterproofing usually gets no attention until the building shows evident signs of leakage,” says Bijimol Prajul, CEO, SIWIN. “We train budding civil engineers in colleges to better prepare the next generation.” “Our training is unbiased to ensure that civil engineers and waterproofing applicators have sound, brand-agnostic technical knowledge,” she continues. “We cover the waterproofing and repair of the substructure and superstructure, the advantages and disadvantages of various products, the design criteria, choosing the right product, and product suitability for different climates, geographies and surfaces. We also cover surface preparation and product application, termination and protection. Our practical training covers critical areas like expansion joints, corner treatments, rock anchor treatments, pile cap encapsulation, PRP treatments, confined area and unconfined area waterproofing, bore packing, etc.