SUMMARY

A 1940s Devonport North Shore bungalow has a lower level garage installed in the 1980s.  After excavation the concrete block walls were ‘waterproofed’ with a liquid bitumen membrane prior to backfilling (a very common practice at this time in NZ construction).  The space has full height ground bearing walls on three sides, and suffered from varying degrees of leakage throughout its life.  A number of remedial attempts were made including an internal hydrostatic coating and various external drainage work, but these were ineffective.  Due to construction and topography, excavation to access the original membrane was not possible.

The ongoing water penetration made the space cold and damp, especially in winter months, limiting the potential uses for the area.

THE PROJECT

Waterproofing Solutions Ltd were engaged by the owner to provide a solution to this long-term problem, and the owner was looking for a guaranteed and achievable option.  Re-Excavation was not viable and internal coatings had been tried and failed.

The ideal, in fact only,  solution was the Newton System 500 internal Cavity Drainage Membrane and WPS were engaged to install this system.

THE SPECIFICATION

A Newton System 500 Cavity Drainage Membrane was recommended.  As the floor slab was sound, it was decided to use the unique Newton ‘Baseboard’ low profile drainage conduit to manage the water caught by the Newton 508 wall membrane.  The Baseboard conduit was gravity drained to the open door area at the front of the garage.

Following a straightforward strip out of the space, the Newton System was installed and drained to the drainage system at the front of the property.  Once the membrane was installed the builder refitted the space with a new plywood wall lining.  The builder was very impressed with the ease of the refit,  using the unique Newton ‘Multiplugs’ to screw in battens etc to take the new linings, with no risk of penetrating the membrane or compromising the membrane integrity.  This is a key and critical benefit of the Newton System when compared to an internal coating because an internal coating cannot be penetrated in any way when relining and finishing the wall. We could apply this on-trend plywood finish knowing it would remain dry.

THE RESULT

Waterproofing Solutions Ltd, as experienced newton applicators, were able to specify and install and guaranteed solution to a long-standing leakage problem.  The space is now 100% dry, warmer and, with the new wall linings over the Newton membrane, infinitely more attractive than the previous unsightly leaking blockwalls.  The owners problem was resolved at a very reasonable cost,  and value and utility added to the home, backed with a warranty available with other internal options.