Prevention is always cheaper than repair.

Water is the single most damaging force to a home. Slow leaks destroy framing. Moisture behind tile breeds mold. Failed deck coatings damage living spaces below. Foundation cracks let groundwater in. Every one of these problems is preventable with proper waterproofing — and every one of them is exponentially more expensive to fix after the fact. At Forma Homes, waterproofing is a standard part of how we build, not an afterthought.

Shower waterproofing is the most common failure point in bathroom remodels — and the most preventable. We use Schluter Kerdi membrane systems as our standard for shower waterproofing. Every shower pan, wall, niche, and bench is fully waterproofed and flood-tested before a single tile is set. We have seen too many bathrooms that look beautiful on the surface but leak behind the walls because the waterproofing was rushed or skipped. That does not happen on our projects.

Foundation waterproofing protects your home from the ground up. Los Angeles has clay-heavy soil that expands when wet and contracts when dry, putting pressure on foundations and basement walls. Our foundation waterproofing includes exterior membrane application, drainage board installation, and French drain systems that direct water away from the structure. For homes with basements or below-grade spaces, we install interior drainage systems and sump pumps as needed.

Deck and balcony waterproofing is critical for any outdoor living space above an occupied room. Failed deck waterproofing is one of the most expensive repair scenarios in residential construction — water infiltrates the structure, damages framing, ceilings, and finishes in the room below, and the entire deck must be torn up and rebuilt. We use traffic-rated waterproofing systems from Westcoat and similar manufacturers that are designed for pedestrian use, UV exposure, and the thermal cycling that Los Angeles weather demands.

Retaining wall drainage prevents hydrostatic pressure from building behind retaining walls — the leading cause of retaining wall failure. We install drainage systems with perforated pipe, filter fabric, and gravel backfill that keep water moving away from the structure.

Below-grade waterproofing for wine cellars, home theaters, and other subterranean spaces requires careful attention to both moisture barriers and vapor management. We use self-adhering membrane systems, dimple board drainage layers, and dehumidification to create dry, comfortable below-grade environments.

Los Angeles does not get frequent rain, but when it does rain, it rains hard. Homes — especially hillside properties — that are not properly waterproofed face erosion, flooding, and structural damage from concentrated runoff. French drains, area drains, and proper grading direct water away from the home and into the storm system.

Whether you are building a new shower, recoating a deck, waterproofing a foundation, or protecting a hillside retaining wall, Forma Homes delivers waterproofing that prevents problems before they start. It is the least glamorous work we do — and often the most important.