Terrace/Podium/Roof Garden waterproofing
In the past few years, terrace gardens, roof gardens, and podium decks have become integral components of building structures, providing a functional space that can be used as a living area. The terraces, podiums, and roof gardens are subjected to several environmental conditions, including:
- Heavy rain
- Standing water (ponding)
- Soil loads and root systems
- Structural movement and temperature differences
Unlike conventional roof systems, these systems comprise waterproofing, landscaping, and load-bearing capacity; creating the composite system for roof waterproofing.
The key waterproofing requirements for these types of systems include:
- Completely Seamless & Fully Bonded System: There are no joints or laps where water can find a point of penetration
- Root Resistant: The plants and trees that will be growing on the system have been established with aggressive root systems
- High Mechanical Strength: Ability to support the soil load, foot traffic, punctures, abrasion, etc.
- Water & Chemical Resistant: Fertilizers and other organic acid chemicals
- Flexibility & Crack Bridging: The system must be able to accommodate structural movement and thermal expansion or contraction.
- Compatibility with Overburden Systems: Drainage layers, protection boards, thermal insulation, pipes, soil, and vegetation layers.
- Long-Term Durability: The material must provide for long-term durability and be resistant to aging, UV (if exposed), and other environmental conditions.
System Build-Up: Terrace / Podium / Roof Garden Waterproofing
A roof garden as a whole is considered an engineered system consisting of multiple layers with various functions. Each layer is critical for overall system performance.
Below is elaborated typical waterproofing system for roof waterproofing:
1. Structural Deck (Base Substrate)
- The RCC slab serves as the base for various loads associated with the soil, pavers, landscaping and human movement.
2. Primer Layer
- To facilitate adhesion between the waterproofing membrane and structural deck substrate.
3. Waterproofing Membrane (Core Layer)
- It is the most important layer in overall system that may consists liquid applied PU, Polyurea, or Hybrid waterproofing system.
- This layer stops water ingress, prevents lateral movement of water, and ensures overall protection of the system under various weather conditions.
4. Root Barrier / Protection Layer
- The root barrier layer prevents root penetration damage.
- It also protects waterproofing membrane against mechanical impact and damage during installation of the upper roof landscaping layers.
5. Drainage Layer
- The drainage layer allows excess water to drain freely to the outlets
- Prevents water accumulation, seepage to other layers and development of Hydrostatic pressure
6. Filter Fabric (Geotextile Layer)
- Prevents soil from clogging the drainage layer below.
- Allows the free movement of water through the fabric, while retaining fine particles.
7. Growing Media / Soil Layer
- It is a lightweight, engineered soil mix that supports plant life, retain moisture and provide proper drainage for plant growth.
8. Vegetation / Finish Layer
- Final visible layer- Grass, Plants, Shrubs and Trees
- Defines the aesthetics and usability of the space.
Products
- Admixtures
- Concrete Repair Systems
- Crystalline Waterproofing
- Deck Coatings
- Decorative Concrete Systems
- Demolition Products
- Engineering Grouts
- Fibres
- Floor Hardeners
- Flooring Products
- Highway Repair
- Protective Coatings
- Ready Mix Plaster
- Restoration
- Roof and Wall Protection
- Sealants
- Sealers
- Surface Treatment
- Tiles & Stone Adhesives
- Wall Finishing Systems
- Waterproofing Products
🌿 Types of Green Roofs
1. Extensive Green Roof
- A lightweight green roof system with shallow soil depth and low-growing vegetation
- Requires minimal maintenance and irrigation
- Primarily designed for environmental benefits like heat reduction and stormwater control
- Suitable for- Large roof areas, industrial buildings, and non-traffic terraces
- Waterproofing technique- PU / Polyurea seamless UV-resistant membrane with basic root resistance• A lightweight green roof system with shallow soil depth and low-growing vegetation
- Requires minimal maintenance and irrigation
- Primarily designed for environmental benefits like heat reduction and stormwater control
- Suitable for- Large roof areas, industrial buildings, and non-traffic terraces
- Waterproofing technique- PU / Polyurea seamless UV-resistant membrane with basic root resistance
2. Semi-Intensive / Lawn Roof
- A medium-depth green roof system that balances aesthetics and usability
- Supports lawn and small plants with moderate soil thickness
- Allows light foot traffic and functional terrace usage
- Suitable for- Residential terraces, podium gardens, and walkable rooftop spaces
- Waterproofing technique- Flexible PU / Hybrid crack-bridging membrane with enhanced root resistance
3. Intensive Green Roof
- A heavy-duty green roof system designed as a fully functional landscaped area
- Supports deep soil profiles with shrubs, trees, and complex landscaping
- Can include walkways, seating zones, and water features
- Suitable for- Premium residential, commercial podiums, and recreational rooftop gardens
- Waterproofing technique- Fully bonded Polyurea / Hybrid high-strength membrane with superior root resistance
4. Sloped Green Roof
- A specialized green roof system designed for inclined or non-flat surfaces
- Uses soil retention systems to prevent sliding and ensure stability
- Enables greenery on complex architectural designs and slopes
- Suitable for- Villas, resorts, and architecturally unique or sloped roof structures
- Waterproofing technique- High-adhesion Polyurea / PU seamless flexible membrane for slope durability and water protection
More Than a Roof: A Living, Breathing System
Green roofs do not only provide landscaping but also offer an effective answer to construction problems today with sustainability and performance.
Stormwater Management- Green roofs absorb and retain rainwater, reducing the flow of excess water to local drainage system, thereby controlling urban flooding.
Heat Reduction & Energy Efficiency- Green roofs reduces surface temperature which ultimately results into reduced indoor temperature and indoor cooling costs.
Environmental Benefits- Enhances air quality, encourages biodiversity, act as natural carbon sink which contributes to a healthy urban ecosystem.
Increased Usable Space- The roof tops can be utilized as gardening and recreational zone by enhancing usability of the space which otherwise will be left unused
Extended Roof Life- By protecting the waterproofing membrane from ultraviolet radiation and fluctuations in temperature, green roofs significantly increase the life of a roof.
Acoustic & Thermal Insulation- Green roofs provide additional insulation, reduces noise being transmitted through the roof and improves the occupant’s comfort.
Economic & Property Value Benefits- Green roofs beautify property, increase property values and create cost + energy savings.
The Multichem Advantage
Green roofs demand more than a traditional waterproofing system; hence Multichem Systems are built to perform in conditions of constant moisture, soil weight, root activity, fertilizers, chemicals attacks and structural stresses to ensure that you get ultimate protection with no room for failure. Our liquid applied technology provides you with seamless, unbroken membranes over joints and overlaps.
The Multichem System will integrate smoothly with the drainage layer, protection board, insulation, pipe penetrations and landscape elements to provide a complete and compatible build up. As each layer of the system works together as one, where you are guaranteed to have a long-lasting, top-performing waterproofing solution for your green roof system.
Below is Multichem’s waterproofing solutions Roof/ Podium/ Terrace garden:
| Sr. No. | Waterproofing System | Description | Brands | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyurethane (PU) Waterproofing Systems | Flexible, seamless, and highly adaptable systems ideal for terraces and podiums requiring crack-bridging and long-term weather resistance. | Tankgard, Flexithane, Ultraroof, Hydrothane, Aquasmart | |
| 2 | Polyurea Waterproofing Systems | Fast-curing, high-strength systems designed for heavy-duty applications with superior durability and rapid installation. | Armourthane, Multithane, Ultrathane, Armourtuff | |
| 3 | Polymer Waterproofing Systems | Single or two-component polymer-modified coatings providing flexible and durable waterproofing for terraces and wet areas. | Multicrete, Flexcrete, Powercoat, Mixcrete | |
| 4 | Cementitious Waterproofing Systems (Protected) | Suitable as a base layer in multi-layer systems where protection screed and additional membranes are applied above. | Multiguard A, Leakshield | |
| 5 | Primer Systems | Ensure strong adhesion between substrate and waterproofing layers by sealing pores and preparing surfaces. | Multithane Primer, Aquablock, Floorprime EP, Bondcoat AC | |
| 6 | Waterproofing Grouts | Used for sealing joints, gaps, and leak-prone areas while providing localized waterproofing and structural filling. | Primegrout, Multigrout, Hydrofom | |
| 7 | Integral Waterproofing Systems | Admixtures added directly into concrete to reduce permeability and improve inherent water resistance. | Multiguard IW | |
| 8 | Crystalline Waterproofing Systems | Penetrating systems that react within concrete to form crystals and block water ingress internally. | Multiguard In-depth | |
| 9 | Elastomeric Coating Systems | Highly flexible coatings that accommodate movement and provide weather-resistant waterproofing for exposed surfaces. | Superflex, Roofmate, Roofshield, | |
| 10 | HDPE Membrane Systems | Pre-formed sheet membranes offering strong waterproofing and damp-proofing for substructures and protected applications. | Hydrofab-PE | |
| 11 | Repair Mortars / Micro Concrete | Specialized mortars designed to repair damaged concrete, cracks, and surface defects before waterproofing application. |
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| 12 | Fiber Reinforcement Systems | Used within screeds and coatings to improve tensile strength, reduce cracking, and enhance durability. |
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| 13 | Geotextile Membrane | Acts as a filter layer that allows water drainage while preventing soil erosion and material washout. | Fibrecon NP 300 |
| Sr. No. | Waterproofing System | Description | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyurethane (PU) Waterproofing Systems | Flexible, seamless, and highly adaptable systems ideal for terraces and podiums requiring crack-bridging and long-term weather resistance. | Tankgard, Flexithane, Ultraroof, Hydrothane, Aquasmart |
| 2 | Polyurea Waterproofing Systems | Fast-curing, high-strength systems designed for heavy-duty applications with superior durability and rapid installation. | Armourthane, Multithane, Ultrathane, Armourtuff |
| 3 | Polymer Waterproofing Systems | Single or two-component polymer-modified coatings providing flexible and durable waterproofing for terraces and wet areas. | Multicrete, Flexcrete, Powercoat, Mixcrete |
| 4 | Cementitious Waterproofing Systems (Protected) | Suitable as a base layer in multi-layer systems where protection screed and additional membranes are applied above. | Multiguard A, Leakshield |
| 5 | Primer Systems | Ensure strong adhesion between substrate and waterproofing layers by sealing pores and preparing surfaces. | Multithane Primer, Aquablock, Floorprime EP, Bondcoat AC |
| 6 | Waterproofing Grouts | Used for sealing joints, gaps, and leak-prone areas while providing localized waterproofing and structural filling. | Primegrout, Multigrout, Hydrofom |
| 7 | Integral Waterproofing Systems | Admixtures added directly into concrete to reduce permeability and improve inherent water resistance. | Multiguard IW |
| 8 | Crystalline Waterproofing Systems | Penetrating systems that react within concrete to form crystals and block water ingress internally. | Multiguard In-depth |
| 9 | Elastomeric Coating Systems | Highly flexible coatings that accommodate movement and provide weather-resistant waterproofing for exposed surfaces. | Superflex, Roofmate, Roofshield |
| 10 | HDPE Membrane Systems | Pre-formed sheet membranes offering strong waterproofing and damp-proofing for substructures and protected applications. | Hydrofab-PE |
| 11 | Repair Mortars / Micro Concrete | Specialized mortars designed to repair damaged concrete, cracks, and surface defects before waterproofing application. | Bondcoat, Primemix, Crackfix, Microtop, Powertop, Multicon, Floortop |
| 12 | Fiber Reinforcement Systems | Used within screeds and coatings to improve tensile strength, reduce cracking, and enhance durability. | Fibrecon Mono |
| 13 | Geotextile Membrane | Acts as a filter layer that allows water drainage while preventing soil erosion and material washout. | Fibrecon NP 300 |