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Building · Waterproofing · ConcreteIssue 01 · November 2026

Waterproofing and building news. For Australian trades.

Main story

FORSPEC 3D drawing of a balcony build-up: concrete slab, membrane turned up the wall and into the outlet, screed over the membrane and tiles on topMain story · Building codeScreeds on balconies: what NCC 2025 changes, and what it does notOn apartment and commercial jobs the fall now belongs in the slab and the membrane goes straight on it. A screed is not banned, but where it sits has changed.3 min read

Top stories

  1. BIOSET after 20 days under water: the resultsTiling & screeds2 min read
  2. ACTFLEX 989 CWP data sheet Revision 3: what changedProducts & tests1 min read
  3. Moisture in concrete: how dry is dry enough?Concrete2 min read
  4. 33 waterproofing details, free as PDF and DXFProducts & tests2 min read
The FORSPEC Brief01Nov 2026Screeds on balconies
● This month's newsletter

The FORSPEC Brief, issue 01

November 2026 · 11 stories. Read it here, or get issue 02 by email.

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A lift pit lined before the pour, from FORSPEC on InstagramA lift pit lined before the pourThe membrane under the screed, from FORSPEC on InstagramThe membrane under the screedA pool detailed the right way, from FORSPEC on InstagramA pool detailed the right wayPipe details welded into the sheet, from FORSPEC on Instagram▶ 3.2KPipe details welded into the sheetA bathroom floor in ACTFLEX 900R, from FORSPEC on Instagram▶ 6.7KA bathroom floor in ACTFLEX 900RACTFLEX 988 CWP in a pool, from FORSPEC on InstagramACTFLEX 988 CWP in a pool
● Series

Rules that clash on site

Two rule books, two answers, one job. A numbered series on where the codes and standards disagree and what to build.

  1. 1:100 or 1:80? The two fall rules in every bathroomWet areas
  2. 35, 40 or 50 mm? Three figures for a floating screedTiling & screeds
  3. Shower walls: junctions, or the whole wall?Wet areas
  4. "8% moisture": the most misread numberConcrete
  5. The 28-day rule that is not in any standardConcrete
  6. How high should a balcony upturn be?Building code
  7. A tile trim is not a waterstopWet areas
  8. Class III and C2 S1 are not the same kind of ratingTiling & screeds
  9. Basements: the job no Australian Standard coversBuilding code
  10. Flood testing: what the standards sayWet areas

Building code

All 4 →
FORSPEC drawing of a balcony on a Class 2 to 9 building showing the eight NCC 2025 changes: fall in the slab, 70 mm step-down, 70 mm hob, overflow, membrane on the slab, joints on high pointsNCC 2025: eight changes for balconies and roofsBuilding code2 min readHow high should a balcony upturn be?Building code1 min readBasements: the job no Australian Standard coversBuilding code1 min read

Wet areas

All 5 →
FORSPEC drawing of a shower flood test: test plug set inside the waste pipe below the puddle flange, water filled to the top of the waterstop, level mark on the wallFlood testing: what the standards sayWet areas2 min readFORSPEC 3D drawing of a bathroom with the membrane shown on the shower walls, the floor, the bath surround and the wall and floor junctionsAS 3740: seven shower rules that get missedWet areas2 min readFORSPEC drawing of a bathroom floor section: substrate under the membrane falling 1:100 or more, finished shower floor falling 1:80 or more, finished floor between 1:80 and 1:501:100 or 1:80? The two fall rules in every bathroomWet areas2 min read

Plumbing and drainage

All 3 →
FORSPEC standard detail EEL007: roof outlet with a rubber puddle flange recessed flush, liquid membrane lapped onto the flange and down into the outletPuddle flanges: what AS 3740 requiresPlumbing2 min readLinear drains: where the membrane has to goPlumbing1 min readThe puddle flange recess: why the flange sits flushPlumbing1 min read

Concrete and moisture

All 4 →
A test meter, a marker pen and a bottle on a grey concrete slab during FORSPEC site testing, with the reading written on the slabMoisture in concrete: how dry is dry enough?Concrete2 min readThe 28-day rule that is not in any standardConcrete2 min read"8% moisture": the most misread numberConcrete1 min read

Tiling and screeds

All 3 →
FORSPEC 3D drawing of a tiled swimming pool wall cut away to show the concrete shell, membrane coats, tile adhesive and mosaic tilesBIOSET after 20 days under water: the resultsTiling & screeds2 min read35, 40 or 50 mm? Three figures for a floating screedTiling & screeds2 min readClass III and C2 S1 are not the same kind of ratingTiling & screeds1 min read

Products and testing

All 5 →
ACTFLEX 989 CWP packACTFLEX 989 CWP data sheet Revision 3: what changedProducts & tests1 min readFORSPEC standard detail B100: bathroom on concrete with the membrane under the screed at the shower wall, section and elevation33 waterproofing details, free as PDF and DXFProducts & tests2 min readFORZAFLEX torch-on: three sheets, three test reportsProducts & tests1 min read

On site

All 11 →
Two concrete tanks wrapped in blue ACTFLEX 5000 self-adhesive sheet membrane, starter bars above the walls and a crane behindTwo concrete tanks wrapped in ACTFLEX 5000On site1 min readLift pit lined in grey PREFLEX 3000 pre-applied sheet membrane, with sealed pile heads and starter bars standing up through the sheetA lift pit lined with PREFLEX 3000 before the pourOn site1 min readFORSPEC drawing of a bathroom floor with the sheet membrane under the screed and the wall membrane brought down over the sheetThe membrane under the screed, on every floorOn site1 min read

Past issues

The FORSPEC Brief02Dec 2026Out Tue 1 DecThe FORSPEC Brief01Nov 2026Screeds on balconies
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