FAQs

Our architectural consultants are happy to review your drawings, help with waterproofing recommendations and prepare specifications with our product documentation and typical drawings to send to you. As an option, you can also send a request through Masterspecs website that we will check and make sure all clauses are filled in correctly, including product selections, execution with specifics of installation and more.

Allco’s TA (Technical Assistance) Team offers practical, hands-on support throughout a project’s lifecycle. From pre-installation meetings and site inspections to installation oversight and post-installation guidance, they ensure systems are installed correctly and in compliance with Allco’s specifications.

If you are an Allco approved applicator, simply contact your Account Manager our TA Team. If you are a home owner, specifier, main contractor or builder, please email tateam@allco.co.nz, and we will get in touch or as soon as we can.

Our Technical Advisory (TA) team provides expert guidance, support, and on-site assistance to our approved applicators and main contractors during the installation of our Volclay products. The TA team conducts pre-install meetings and regular site inspections to ensure the quality of installation is carried out by our applicators. By closely monitoring applicator workmanship, project compliance, and site conditions, our team can identify potential issues and provide advice on the best ways to solve or mitigate problems. This proactive approach allows for timely adjustments and corrections, preventing costly rework or repairs.

Yes. Our team can assist with system selection, technical detailing, and custom specification support to ensure the waterproofing solution meets project requirements and NZ Building Code compliance. This includes reviewing plans and advising on complex interfaces or sequencing challenges.

We have a range of standard drawings to support design which can be downloaded here or contact our technical team for help with project-specific solutions.

Our membranes are CodeMark Certified and BRANZ appraised to ensure they meet the stringent requirements of the NZ Building Code. A copy of these certifications can be found on our Document Library here or by navigating to Technical > Document Library > Document Type = BRANZ / CodeMark. 

Type A, B and C systems are a characterisation of waterproofing systems outlined in British Standard (BS 8102:2022). This internationally recognised standard continues to influence local expectations and best practice when it comes to below ground waterproofing. Type A waterproofing refers to barrier systems that are applied externally or internally to prevent water ingress. Type B waterproofing is based on the concept of integral protection. For more information check out this article: Understanding Type A and Type B Waterproofing - and Why It Matters

 Most of our solutions have BRANZ appraisal and/or CodeMark, and match building code requirements. Our technical team is happy to cover any questions you have. Reach out today to let us know how we can help you.

Approved Applicators are waterproofing experts who have been trained and approved to install our products. They receive technical support from our team to ensure our systems are installed correctly – from system selection, detailing, installation advice to warranty sign-off. We have a nationwide network of approved applicators - Search for a certified applicator in your region.

Most typical product details can be found here in our dedicated CAD library. We also have a technical team on call that are ready to help with specifics of your project. They will help to find the best solution, do a mark-up of your drawings and even prepare some special details specific for your project if required.

A concrete admixture is a material added to the batch of concrete in controlled amounts during its mixing to produce a desired modification to the properties of the concrete. Admixtures can be used to enhance specific properties of the fresh or hardened concrete, such as workability or setting time, resistance to water ingress, chemical attack, and long-term deterioration. Our admixture, Centrament Proof 10 from MC-Bauchemie, is a high-performance crystalline waterproofing admixture that extends the durability of concrete structures by strengthening the waterproofing barrier from within.

Our technical team and account managers are happy to offer our recommendations for waterproofing your project. We base our recommendations on Geotech report investigation, ground water table level, type of soils and how that affects drainage, and checking project drawings to see how deep the building structure extends below ground level.  We also take into consideration the risk aversity of the project and what areas of the building need better protection such as inhabited areas, spaces with equipment, lift pits etc. Based on these factors we provide our recommendations on whether waterproofing is required (as sometimes a damp proof membrane will suffice) and to what extent. 

DPM stands for Damp Proof Membrane. A damp proof membrane provides basic gas, moisture and vapour barrier properties. It is not a waterproofing barrier and should only be used in low-risk, non-hydrostatic conditions. For more information check out this article: Waterproofing vs damp proofing - what's the difference?

Early during design development, the engineer or architect should determine whether the basement foundation will be within, or anticipated to be within, the water table or hydrostatic conditions. Most basements, even those perceived to be in dry areas, will be subjected to hydrostatic pressure, especially during when water cannot drain away fast enough or from blocked drains.
One metre of water on a wall is equivalent to one ton of force per square centimetre (making damp-proof membranes unsuitable). If a hydrostatic condition is present or anticipated, then a full enveloping system should be utilised in the structure.

No. Volclay does not have to be fully hydrated upon installation. Like most other waterproofing membranes, Volclay will remain dormant until water comes in contact with the waterproofing. When water does contact Volclay, the Volclay immediately hydrates, forming a low permeable barrier.

Volclay waterproofing products use the natural mineral sodium bentonite. Then wetted, unconfined sodium bentonite can swell up to 15 times its dry volume. When confined, as in below-grade waterproofing applications, the Bentonite forms an impervious membrane and can seal cracks, punctures and small voids. After installation, Volclay waterproofing can self heal concrete cracks caused by shrinkage or seismic action. With the Volclay waterproofing system, the problem activates the solution, reliably and automatically.

Volclay waterproofing systems can be installed to concrete as soon as the forms are removed. There is no seven to 28-day waiting period. Therefore, the work can be completed sooner, and the project can proceed on time.

Yes. Volclay waterproofing systems are ideal for blind-side property line construction. Simply install Volclay to the retaining wall and pour the concrete in a single-sided form. Typical applications include soldier pile and wood lagging, metal sheet piling, earth and shotcrete retention walls, and concrete caisson construction.

For precast panels simply place the Volclay in the precast panel form at the precast yard or shoot Volclay onto the panels on site.

Yes. A special Volclay bentonite, Volclay DS/ SWR(Contaminate-Resistant), has been designed to work in soils with high concentrations of salts found in coastal regions. Volclay DS/ SWR is also resistant to other industrial chemicals that may be in the soils. A simple test of the groundwater from the construction site will produce results indicating whether standard Volclay or Volclay DS/ SWR is required for that specific project.

No. Volclay, in most cases, does not require a working mud slab or site concrete to be installed over. The reason for this is that Volclay does not rely on adhesion to function as a waterproofing membrane. Remember, a mud slab traditionally is made of weak concrete mix and usually cracks. Therefore, you are not adhering the waterproofing to the structural slab, but waterproofing the mud slab, which is typically made of a weak concrete mix and is susceptible to cracking.

Yes. Unlike most peel-in-stick and fluid-applied waterproofing membranes, Volclay can be installed when temperatures are below freezing. This allows work to proceed in the winter months on time, as scheduled.

Bentonite is the active ingredient in our Volclay (VOLcanic CLAY) range of waterproofing solutions including Voltex, Swelltite, Waterstop-RX.
Bentonite is essentially a high swelling clay mineral whose name was derived from the location of the first commercial deposits mined at Fort Benton, Wyoming U.S.A. This is the source of Volclay sodium bentonite

• Voltex – Wet concrete substrates (precast panel forms incl)
• Swelltite – Post applied to concrete substrates (precast panels, masonry walls)
• Can be installed to uncured concrete.
• Weather conditions – installed in virtually any weather conditions
• Damage / Construction damage – self-healing for minor damage or patched easily placed.
• Contaminated ground – Voltex DS or Voltex SWR for saline soils.
• Head pressure – 20m (BRANZ) 60m (Swelltite – Cetco document)
• PLAZA / GREEN situation – Zero fall.
• Effect of Pressure – Needs pressure to function correctly – See KGA document.

Yes, save time and money. Waterstop RX is a great solution for sealing the joint at new-to-existing concrete placement. Unlike conventional PVC waterstops, you do not need to saw cut or chip out part of the existing concrete to embed half the dumbbell. With Waterstop RX you simply secure the waterstop to the surface of the existing concrete with Volclay WB-Adhesive and pour the new concrete.

Unlike PVC dumbbell waterstops, Waterstop RX roll ends do not need to be hot air welded or glued. Simply abut the rolls ends tightly together to form a continuous waterstop.

No. Waterstop RX should be adhered in place with Volclay Cetseal-Adhesive. The adhesive secures the entire length of the waterstop installation so that the product cannot shift or float during the concrete placement. If desired, nails can be used in conjunction with the adhesive application.

Yes. Waterstop RX has worked successfully to seal concrete joints on projects where another manufacturer’s waterproofing membrane is used.

Typically, Waterstop RX does not need to be replaced if the product is exposed to water for a short time period prior to concrete placement. If it rains, standing water should be removed as soon as possible and the product should not be left submerged in the water. As long as there is no notable expansion of the product, Waterstop RX would not need to be replaced.

Yes, save time and money. Waterstop RX is a great solution for sealing the joint at new-to-existing concrete placement. Unlike conventional PVC waterstops, you do not need to saw cut or chip out part of the existing concrete to embed half the dumbbell. With Waterstop RX you simply secure the waterstop to the surface of the existing concrete with Volclay WB-Adhesive and pour the new concrete

Yes. Waterstop RX is a great solution for sealing around pipes and other penetrations, where conventional passive PVC dumbbell waterstops cannot be installed. Simply secure Waterstop RX around the penetration with Volclay WB-Adhesive.

No. Waterstop RX is designed for use in non-moving cast-in-place concrete joints. A properly engineered expansion joint product should be used to seal expansion joints.

For Waterstop RX 101T, a minimum 75 mm (3”) of concrete coverage must be maintained from the edge of the product to the exterior face of the concrete. Waterstop RX 102 requires a minimum concrete coverage of only 50 mm (2”). The minimum concrete coverage must be maintained over the entire product installation.

Use Volclay SB-Primer or Cetseal to secure Waterstop RX in cold weather conditions. Volclay SB-Primer is specially formulated to work with Waterstop RX in freezing temperatures down to -7°C (20º F). Do not use other unapproved adhesives or nails to secure waterstop.

Yes. Waterstop RX is certified by NSF International to conform with the requirements of NSF Standard 61 for use with potable water concrete tanks with a minimum capacity of 3,785 litres (1,000 gallons).

A warm roof is where the insulation (roofing batts) sits on top of the substrate (timber, metal) with the membrane on top. A cold roof is where the insulation (roofing batts) is inside the roof cavity. 

The Allco Recover Roof system is a perfect solution allowing the roof to be refurbished without disrupting or relocating building occupants during installation. The Allco recover roof allows you to keep the existing metal substrate while providing options to repitch your existing roof if it has insufficient fall. 

Allco offer wide sheet TPO single ply membrane systems or our Allco two-layer torch on membrane system as the finished surface on top of the ALLRITE Recover Roof System. Both are BRANZ and CodeMark appraised membrane systems and will provide a watertight and aesthetically pleasing surface for your new roof.  

Yes, our JM TPO membrane is the ideal solution and can be used for water collection applications and meets the rigorous standards of AS/NZS 4020:2018, proving its suitability for potable water harvesting. The membrane successfully passed critical tests of taste, appearance, microorganism growth, toxic substances, mutagenic activity and metals.

The key difference between Casali Dermabit Extra APAO (Amorphous Polyaphaolefin) and Casali APP (Atactic Polypropylene), is the thermal operating range and therefore the applicable climate zones. 

 Casali APP (Atactic Polypropylene) has a lower thermal operating range of -15°C/+130°C making it acceptable for Climate Zones 1 & 2. While Casali APAO has a wider thermal operating range of -25°C/+150°C making it suitable for use in all NZBC Climate Zones (the harsher climates of the Central North Island and South Island).  

Both APP and APAO are approved as waterproofing systems under trafficable surfaces and are both suitable for both residential and commercial roofing.  

Yes, the Allco Alltherm Solution is an insulated roofing system for flat roofs and decks. Alltherm has been designed and tested and the finished surface can be either Allco’s dual layer torch on system (APP Or APAO) or TPO single ply membrane.  

Yes, Casali can be used as the waterproofing membrane on a Green Roof. A root barrier (anti-root cap sheet) such as Casali Eradix Root Barrier must be installed to protect waterproofing systems from root damage.  

Allco’s Care and Maintenance Documents and Inspection Forms should have been given to you by your Allco Applicator, alongside your Allco product warranty. If you have misplaced them, they are also available here.

Foot-traffic on an occasional basis is acceptable, however it is recommended to use a Monkey Toe or similar system for high traffic areas. Torch on membrane is an acceptable waterproofing solution for decks and balconies when either a floating timber or tiles on pedestal overlays are used. 

Allco recommends installing an EFVM system on all roofing membranes however it is not a requirement. EFVM is a low voltage leak detection method, allowing you to locate defects in your roofing membrane. These defects can be caused by mechanical defects, material defects or weather-related defects, by using EFVM you are able to pinpoint your leak and repair it more effectively.  

Generally it is used as an overlay over old existing bituminous (torch on) membranes, old concrete substrates. The fleece acts as a separation layer.

Roof / roof deck 2° (1:30) deck 1.5° (1:40) internal gutter 0.5° (1:100)

Yes. Allco offers two warranty types: Product Warranty and System Warranty.

Product Warranty covers the quality and integrity of the product installed for 20 years and installation of the membrane is covered by the applicator. Our System Warranty is more comprehensive and includes both the product installed and the installation of the membrane as part of the 20 warranty cover. The warranty is issued directly to the owner of the project.

A copy of our comprehensive warranties can be found in our Document Library here or by navigating to Technical > Document Library > Document Type = Warranties. Here you will also find care and maintenance documentation as well as user inspection sheets.