Although there have been vast improvements in available construction materials, better materials cannot perform without proper engineering design or detailing for these waterproofing and drainage systems. Since water and wind sources are inevitable, the only line of defense that we have is proper design and detailing to keep these elements from introducing water into our structures.

Various phenomena of water intrusion forces -- such as, natural gravity; wind and air currents; capillary action; surface tension; and hydrostatic pressure -- may cause infiltration into areas of a structure.

Even standing water alone may result in freeze-thaw cyclic damage to substrates,  thereby causing unexpected openings or other sacrificing fissures leading to advanced or accelerated deterioration of the structure.