Waterproofing Solution for a Basement Car Park
In construction projects, effectively addressing water ingress is critical to maintaining structural integrity. This project in Manchester involved Total Specialist Maintenance (TSM) collaborating with a construction contractor to resolve significant water ingress issues in a new concrete basement car park.
The Challenge
The client had recently constructed a new concrete basement car park, but it was experiencing water ingress through the movement joint between the concrete slab and the retaining wall on the third basement level. This issue posed serious risks, including:
- Potential Structural Damage: Continuous water ingress could lead to deterioration of the concrete and affect the overall stability of the structure.
- Urgency for Remediation: Immediate action was necessary to prevent further damage and ensure the longevity of the car park, as prolonged exposure to moisture could compromise safety.
The Solution
TSM implemented a comprehensive waterproofing strategy that included several critical steps:
- Breaking Through the Floor Slab: To access the movement joint, TSM began by breaking through the floor slab above. This step was essential to facilitate repairs and address the ingress effectively.
- Removing Fibre Board: The next step involved extracting the fibre board within the joint to its full depth. This ensured that the joint was clean and ready for repair.
- Temporary Plugging: TSM used a fast-setting R4 concrete repair mortar to temporarily plug the joint. This prevented the resin injection material from escaping during the subsequent processes.
- Installing Injection Packers: Injection no-return valve packers were fitted to facilitate effective application of the resin, ensuring that the material would penetrate the joint thoroughly.
- Applying Elastomer Gel Injection System: The team utilised the MC Injekt GL 95 TX thixotropic elastomer gel injection system to seal the movement joint. This high-performance gel provided a durable and flexible seal against water ingress.
- Removing Packers: After the injection process, the packers were carefully removed, and temporary plugging mortar was applied to restore the surface.
- Sealant Joint Installation: TSM installed a sealant joint using MC Building Chemicals Mycoflex 4000SP polysulphide sealant. This sealant provided additional flexibility and resistance to environmental factors.
Waterproofing Joint: Finally, Sika Combiflex (200mm wide x 2mm thick) was fitted to the waterproofed joint for added protection. This comprehensive waterproofing layer significantly enhanced the durability of the movement joint.
