Water-Repelling Sealant for Sydney Opera House from Dry-Treat

The Sydney Opera House was completed in 1973 and has a required service life of over two hundred years. It is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour, adjacent to the city's central business district. The elements of the building are subject to both an aggressive urban and marine environment. The building serves a functional purpose, holding prestigious events such as operas, plays and concerts as well as being a national landmark of Australia. In 1991 a major upgrade and maintenance program was conducted by the Public Works Department of New South Wales, specifically to protect the exposed reinforced concrete elements.

Special Requirements:

Sealer used had to provide long lasting protection against efflorescence and salt spalling.
Sealer had to protect against steel reinforcement corrosion.
Sealer could not damage the surrounding glass.
Surface had to retain original look.

The Dry-Treat Solution:

Measures to protect the ribs of the exposed pre-cast concrete shells were required because there had been a slow build-up of salt contaminants, especially in the exposed concrete on the most northerly shell.