Exterior system evidence record
Waterproofing & drainage interfaces
The most consequential exterior failures often occur where systems meet: walls and paving, planters and structures, pools and decks, roofs and masonry, or membranes and penetrations.
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Freeze–thaw
- Movement
- Concealed moisture
Plain-English terms used in this record
- Assembly
- The complete built system—not only the visible finish. It can include structure, backing, membranes, fasteners, joints, drainage, and adjacent materials.
- Substrate
- The surface or supporting material underneath the finish, coating, membrane, or adhered product.
- Interface
- The place where two materials, trades, or systems meet. These transitions often need explicit drainage, movement, and responsibility details.
- Mockup
- A small sample installation used to approve appearance, workmanship, joints, transitions, or performance before the full installation proceeds.
Research-supported principles
What this means for an owner.
- 01
Water should be managed through a continuous path from collection to drainage or discharge.
- 02
Penetrations, terminations, changes in plane, and transitions between trades require explicit responsibility.
- 03
Access for testing, observation, maintenance, and repair should be planned before finishes conceal the work.
Project-team questions
Resolve before products are ordered or the work is covered.
- Who owns each transition and how is continuity documented?
- Where can water drain if a primary surface or sealant joint admits moisture?
- What testing and photographic record will exist before concealment?
Federal evidence record
Open sources used
Source credit identifies the research record. It does not imply agency authorship, endorsement, product approval, or a parcel-specific conclusion.
Verification boundary
What still belongs to the project team
Confirm the actual product, source, testing, exposure, substrate, fasteners, anchors, coatings, compatible adjoining materials, installation instructions, mockups, warranties, maintenance plan, jurisdictional requirements, and responsible licensed professionals. The Atlas is an evaluation framework—not a specification.
Read the Registry methodology →