Upturn (Skirting)
The vertical continuation of a waterproofing layer up an adjoining wall or parapet, terminated mechanically at the top.
On an actual building
Water rises up walls by splashing and by wind. An upturn stopped at 100 mm on a terrace, or at skirting height in a bathroom, is below the wetted line and lets water behind the entire system.
What we most often have to correct
That the floor is what needs waterproofing. Most wet-area and terrace leaks enter above the horizontal surface, not through it.
Where this comes up in our work
Terms that come up alongside this one
- Fillet
A curved or angled cement mortar profile formed at an internal angle so that a waterproofing layer turns the corner on a curve rather than a sharp right angle..
- Parapet
The low wall around the edge of a terrace or roof..
- Ponding / Flood Test
Plugging the outlets, flooding a completed waterproofed area and holding the water — typically 48 to 72 hours — while the space below is observed for any sign of ingress..
Upturn (Skirting) — questions we get asked
What does upturn (skirting) mean in waterproofing?
The vertical continuation of a waterproofing layer up an adjoining wall or parapet, terminated mechanically at the top.
Why does upturn (skirting) matter on a real project?
Water rises up walls by splashing and by wind. An upturn stopped at 100 mm on a terrace, or at skirting height in a bathroom, is below the wetted line and lets water behind the entire system.
What do people commonly get wrong about upturn (skirting)?
That the floor is what needs waterproofing. Most wet-area and terrace leaks enter above the horizontal surface, not through it.
Have a building showing this?
If a term on this page describes something you are looking at, a site inspection will tell you how far it has gone and what it needs. It costs nothing.
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