SUMMARY

A typical 1970s style home in Chatswood on the Auckland North Shore, this building had a large double garage space set into a sloping section.  The large garage area (70 m2)  was ideal for re-purposing into extra living/recreational space, but suffered from regular extensive water penetration via the floor slab and ground bearing walls. 

The external tanking membrane on the walls and under slab waterproofing, being over 40 years old, had failed and the space was essentially unusable for anything other than garage and storage.

The owners had considered renovation a number of times but the waterproofing needed to make the space suitable for habitable areas was seen as insurmountable.  Due to the construction and topography of the site, excavation to the exterior was simply not viable.  The owners were resigned to living with the dampness in the space, and being unable to take advantage of the opportunity to add very significant value to the property that additional living spaces would provide.

THE PROJECT

Waterproofing Solutions Ltd were asked to come and take a look at the leakage issues with a view to improving the situation.  They were able to offer the previously unavailable option of a Newton Systems solution.  This would allow the owners to revisit the long-desired option of redeveloping the space with a guaranteed and maintainable system, with no limitation on fit out, that would add over 70m2 of new living space to the home.

THE SPECIFICATION

Waterproofing Solutions recommended a Newton System 500 Cavity Drainage Membrane solution.  Working with a local designer engaged by the owner, a design was worked up that incorporated a new bedroom, living room, office, bathroom, laundry space and games room.  The garage was stripped out and a newton 508 membrane installed to the wall and floor, including a newton basedrain perimeter drainage system to the front of the building.  A new concrete floor slab was poured,  and the new rooms were constructed and fitted out by the builders.  The refit process was a revelation for the trades involved, as prior to the availability of the Newton System 500, older options such as internal coatings presented significant limitations on fitting out such a space as hydrostatic internal coating cannot be penetrated (or in fact guaranteed in terms of performance).

THE RESULT

Waterproofing Solutions Ltd, with expert assistance from in-house specialists of Newton Systems NZ,  provided a guaranteed, maintainable solution that allowed the owners to transform the home with new, previously unachievable, livings spaces.  OneRoof property data of recent times advises that the average cost to upgrade from a 3 bedroom home to a 4 bedroom home on Auckland North Shore is in excess of $350K.  The owners of this property were able, for less than half this cost, add significantly more than just one bedroom, and achieve the associated capital value increases for their home.  The value proposition from Newton System 500 is unique and unmatched in these situations