Fully Adhered Blindside Waterproofing Systems That Control Lateral Water Migration

Henry’s MiraPLY™ and MiraWELD™ blindside waterproofing membranes maintain proven bonded performance while introducing enhanced chemical resistance and installation versatility.

For architects and contractors, few specification decisions carry as much long-term consequence as below-grade waterproofing. Once structural concrete is placed against a blindside membrane, the system becomes permanently buried within the building envelope, making repairs costly and difficult if water intrusion occurs.

Because blindside waterproofing membranes are installed prior to structural concrete placement, long-term performance depends on the membrane’s ability to adhere to the structure and maintain continuity throughout the foundation assembly.

As construction frequently occurs on tight urban sites and along zero lot line projects, designers are turning to adhered blindside waterproofing membranes that limit lateral water migration while maintaining adhesion to the foundation. Get Best Practices for Blindside Waterproofing on High Groundwater Sites.

The growing use of blindside waterproofing has led Henry to enhance the company’s pre-applied membrane technology, resulting in next-generation membranes such as MiraPLY™ and MiraWELD™.

MiraPLY and MiraWELD: What’s New?

The updated membranes introduce two practical enhancements designed to improve performance and simplify installation.

• Enhanced resistance to groundwater contaminants: Below-grade construction often occurs in environments where soil and groundwater contain contaminants that can degrade conventional waterproofing materials.

MiraPLY and MiraWELD have enhanced resistance to hydrocarbons like benzene and chlorinated solvents, such as TCE and PCE. They also resist soil gases including radon and methane. This supports long-term waterproofing performance on redevelopment sites and other projects where groundwater or soil contamination may be present.

• One membrane for horizontal and vertical applications: MiraPLY and MiraWELD systems allow a single membrane to be used for both horizontal and vertical blindside installations. Using one product simplifies specification, reduces detailing complexity and minimizes the number of SKUs contractors must manage during construction. These enhancements build on the time-tested waterproofing design that helps control lateral water migration and maintain continuity across the foundation assembly.

How Reinforced Blindside Waterproofing Membranes Improve Jobsite Durability

Blindside waterproofing systems must withstand demanding jobsite conditions before concrete placement. Rebar installation, foot traffic and construction activity can expose membranes to puncture risk, making reinforced composite membranes better suited to withstand demanding jobsite conditions.

MiraPLY and MiraWELD are composite membranes that combine a reinforced TPO backing with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer designed to adhere directly to cast-in-place concrete. This proprietary membrane design provides best-in-class puncture resistance during installation, while supporting reliable adhesion once the concrete cures.

Maintaining membrane integrity during installation is particularly important on blindside projects where the waterproofing layer must remain intact until structural concrete is placed.

How Bonded Blindside Waterproofing Membranes Control Lateral Water Migration

One of the most important performance characteristics of adhesively bonded blindside waterproofing membranes is their ability to control lateral water migration.

When a waterproofing membrane is not fully adhered to the structural concrete, often due to poor workmanship, water that penetrates a seam can travel laterally between the membrane and the foundation wall or slab. This concealed movement may allow leaks to appear far from the original point of entry.

MiraPLY and MiraWELD blindside waterproofing systems address this issue by adhering directly to the concrete. The adhesive layer forms continuous contact between the membrane and the structure.

Because these membranes adhere directly to the concrete, water cannot travel behind the waterproofing layer. Potential leaks remain localized, reducing the risk of spreading throughout the assembly.

Learn About the MiraPly Installation at Nvidia’s Headquarters

When the reinforced product was announced, the Aqua Proof team was ready to try it on one of his largest high-profile projects. The Nvidia headquarters sat on 36 acres and was the size of three football fields.

“This was a much faster installation than before,” said Aqua Proof Forman Marty Hanson. “We were able to kick one roll out, kick the next one out beside it, and pull the seam tape. As fast as we could roll it out, we could seam it together. The seams were much easier to work with. They were already factory-covered with release tape. With this new product, we didn’t have to fold the lap over, prime the face, and let it dry. We just pulled the seam tape, rolled a 70-pound roller over it, and moved on to the next roll.”

Read the full profile: MiraPLY™ Received Early Thumbs Up on High-Profile Nvidia Project.

Seam Performance and Watertight Integrity with MiraPLY and MiraWELD

MiraPLY and MiraWELD are designed to deliver consistent, watertight seams as part of a fully adhered blindside waterproofing system. The multi-layer membrane construction helps create smooth seams with strong dimensional stability, supporting continuity across the foundation assembly.

Both membranes use SeamLOCK™ Technology, with dual self-adhesive selvedges that help form secure, consistent laps. The result is a flat, smooth seam profile that holds up during installation and over time.

For projects that require an added level of seam security, MiraWELD also incorporates heat-welded seams. These seams create a watertight connection between sheets while maintaining adhesion to the concrete structure.

Applications That Benefit from Fully Adhered Blindside Waterproofing

Bonded blindside waterproofing membranes are often selected for projects where below-grade spaces contain sensitive equipment or critical infrastructure.

Data Centers

Data centers are one of the fastest-growing building sectors and often include below-grade electrical vaults, mechanical rooms or equipment spaces that must remain dry.

Adhered membranes help maintain continuous waterproofing protection around complex foundations. Systems with welded seams provide additional assurance where operational continuity is essential.

Learn about Carlisle’s Data Center Solutions

Cold Storage Facilities

Cold storage and refrigerated warehouses operate with large temperature differences between interior spaces and surrounding soil conditions. Moisture infiltration beneath slabs or along foundation walls can lead to insulation damage, frost-related issues and long-term building envelope problems.

An adhered waterproofing membrane helps maintain a continuous barrier that protects the structure from groundwater infiltration.

Healthcare and Institutional Buildings

Hospitals, laboratories and research facilities often house critical equipment in below-grade spaces. Waterproofing failures in these environments can interrupt operations and lead to costly repairs.

Adhered membranes help protect critical areas by limiting lateral water migration and maintaining adhesion to the structure.

Urban High-Rise Construction

Blindside waterproofing is commonly used for high-rise construction on tight urban sites where excavation occurs directly along property lines.

Pre-applied bonded membranes allow waterproofing to be installed before concrete placement while maintaining adhesion once the concrete cures.

Selecting Waterproofing Based on Project Risk

Waterproofing design typically begins with evaluating project risk. Building use, groundwater conditions and the consequences of water intrusion all influence system selection.

Facilities such as data centers, hospitals and museums may require additional seam security. Many commercial structures use bonded self-adhered membranes that balance durability with installation efficiency.

Matching waterproofing system selection to project conditions helps improve long-term performance and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs after construction is complete.

About Henry®, a Carlisle Company

Henry is the most complete provider of Building Envelope Systems that control the flow of water, air, vapor and energy in a building. Our comprehensive product line includes high-performance waterproofing and moisture protection products, protective roofing underlayments, fully integrated liquid and sheet applied air/vapor barriers, sealants/primers and flashing systems, roof coatings, mastics, spray polyurethane foam and coating systems for thermal protection applications, premium polyurethane products, block molded expanded polystyrene insulation, engineered products for HVAC applications, and premium rubber products for industrial and surfacing applications.

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