Dealing with Cracking Concrete

There are a number of factors to consider when identifying the root cause of splitting concrete:

• Busy foot traffic areas will see cracking from sustained, heavy use.
• Stones and solar coatings are often used to reflect sun damage from concrete balconies and rooftops. If these haven't been maintained then cracking may occur.
• Water pressure from leaks and pooled water can cause concrete to crack.

Water pressure usually comes from the floor above, or from faulty seals on the rooftop or balcony. If water pressure is causing concrete to crack, it might be time to re-waterproof your property.

Blistering Felt or Plies

Air trapped between felt, surface plies or beneath the membrane can cause surfaces to blister when it is heated by the sun or another heat source. Blistering is a sign of potential water damage (or trapped moisture) as water can slip through punctures and negate the waterproofing.

If blistering is occurring on your commercial property, there's a good chance previous waterproofing efforts are substandard. Wolfin membranes can be applied directly over most existing substrates and waterproofing. Ensure the area is clean from debris and follow the guide below to properly waterproof your premises.

Leaking from the Floor Above

Common in both commercial and strata, the usual causes of water leakage from the floor above include:

• A faulty or poorly installed membrane.
• Faulty plumbing works.

And these can contribute to:

• Water damage.
• Mould growth.
• Cracks in tiles, concrete and gyprock.
• Structural damage.

Before any action can be taken, the owner and tenant of the upstairs property must be notified, as well as the building manager. Because damage has already occurred, it's important to only hire professional waterproofers and use guaranteed waterproofing materials. If the work is undertaken using substandard equipment or contractors, you will only risk further damage over time.

Puddling or Pooling on the Roof

Pooling and puddling of water on the roof is most common on structures with flat roofs or sections of flat roofing, combined with poor waterproofing or drainage. The main causes of leaks on flat roofs are:

• Standing water deteriorating the membrane and structure after it rains.
• Water finding existing cracks and faults in the roof structure.

Changing the angle of the roof is often prohibitively expensive. The prudent course of action for a commercial building with roof pooling is a combination of:

• Applying waterproof membranes to the roof.
• Improving water drainage from the roof, creating falls to drains.

Without better drainage, water may continue to pool on the waterproof membrane. Without waterproofing, water will continue to find and cause cracks in the structure, before reaching the drainage funnel.

Faulty Waterproof Installation and Maintenance

While most commercial properties go through a waterproofing procedure as part of their build and fitout, not all providers and technologies are suitable for the job. Waterproofing a commercial premises also requires ongoing maintenance. Without regular inspections, even the smallest crack can cause significant damage to property over time. Know the signs and their causes, and take action before further damage affects your commercial property.

How to Waterproof Any Concrete Roof or Balcony

Cost effective and long lasting, concrete roofs are a popular solution for commercial properties. In recent times, they are becoming a trendy option for apartment blocks and mixed-use structures as well. Here's steps you can take to ensure safe waterproofing of any concrete roof or balcony.

Know Which Application is Suitable for Your Premises

Before you begin waterproofing a commercial property, you first need to know which waterproofing membranes are most suitable to your build.

Cosmofin membranes (three versions available):

• Cosmofin FG LL - used mostly in loose laid membrane application.
• Cosmofin FG LLV - can be used in both loose laid and bonded applications, and can be installed directly over bitumen.
• Cosmofin F - used for all detailing, including pipe penetrations, it is unreinforced, and can be solvent welded directly to PVC pipes.

Cosmofin can be applied in three methods:

• Loose laid application: Uses no adhesive and is suitable for both LL and LLV Cosmofin. Suitable for:
  • Lift pits,
  • Retaining walls,
  • Tanks, and
  • Planter boxes.
• Strip bonded application: The TK-400 bonding adhesive is applied using 30mm strips or beads and can be installed over most substrates, including damp surfaces. Suitable only for the LLV Cosmofin, it is a quicker installation than fully bonded and is suitable for:
  • Rooftops,
  • Balconies,
  • Terraces, and
  • Podium slabs.
• Fully bonded application: Uses traditional bonding adhesives, it can be used for both LL and LLV Cosmofin, and is suitable for similar usage as strip bonded:
  • Rooftops,
  • Balconies,
  • Terraces, and
  • Podium slabs.

Wolfin membranes have two distinct categories:

• Wolfin IB - Unreinforced membrane that is loose laid over new or existing substrates. It is a general purpose waterproofing membrane.
• Wolfin GWSK - Used predominantly on horizontal surfaces it is a bonded membrane that is reinforced and self adhesive.

Wolfin membranes can only be installed by a licensed and accredited Wolfin Applicator. All installations are signed off by Wolfin Membranes Australia, offering a single point warranty of materials and labour.

Clean the Roof Thoroughly

Before any action can be taken the area must be thoroughly cleaned of leaves, soils, dirt, dust and other debris.

Waterproofing Bitumen Roofs and Balconies

In a situation where existing bitumen waterproofing has failed, Wolfin waterproofing can be applied directly to the failed bitumen membrane. This makes Wolfin waterproofing solutions ideal for remedial treatment over existing balconies and commercial rooftops and saves on expensive preparatory and disposal costs.

Planters and Greenery

Rooftops, balconies and planters with plants, shrubs and other forms of greenery are an important design element in modern commercial properties. The waterproofing of these areas can present particular challenges due to excess water retention in soil and plant areas.

Application of a Wolfin waterproof membrane to the substrate with the addition of drainage-cells, geotextiles, sands and plantings can prevent or remedy water damage and leaking. Green applications for Wolfin membranes include:

• Roofing - exposed and green.
• Landscaped areas around the commercial property.
• Balconies and green walls.
• Planter boxes.

Laying the Waterproofing

Application of waterproofing should only be undertaken by capable and experienced professionals.

The application of Wolfin membranes is undertaken by an accredited Wolfin Applicator. Individual sheets of single ply high polymer roofing are laid onto the substrate and hot air welded together. Steel profiles, premade corners and pvc welding solvent are also used to create a complete waterproofing system on your roof or balcony.

For commercial rooftops and balconies, a stripbonded application is often the best solution. Using TK-400 adhesive, Cosmofin is laid onto the substrate and bonded with the TK 400. In some cases, a fully bonded solution may be required, and this can often be achieved, though this often takes longer.

Preventive Maintenance

Once the waterproofing solution is deployed, you should ensure ongoing preventative maintenance. Preventative maintenance involves taking a holistic approach to waterproofing of balconies, rooftops or garden areas on the commercial property.

The property management should first understand the unique nature of the premises, the environment around it and average weather patterns, then assign protocols and schedules for the reduction of risk and efficient maintenance of waterproofing and supporting materials.

Considerations include:

• Hiring a professional to routinely clean gutters and drains, and remove dirt, leaves and other debris from all roof areas and balconies.
• Ensuring contractors pass all roof safety checks required to operate on a rooftop.
• Using a leaf blower for cleaning roofs that aren't designed to be used as walkable areas.
• Regular maintenance of nearby trees and other flora. Ensure there is a minimum 3 feet of clearance between trees and structures and remove any moss of vegetation.
• Inspect mossy areas for excess water, as they can be a sign of leaks.
• Conduct post storm inspections of the entire premise, as this is the best time to identify new or existing damage and potential leaks.
• Schedule regular interior inspections. Property management should conduct regular spot checks of the building interiors to identify potential leaks and hazards.

Using Cosmofin and Wolfin to Waterproof Your Commercial Building

For new and existing commercial rooftops, garden areas and balconies, Cosmofin and Wolfin waterproofing provide the best and most complete solutions to provide watertight, long-term leak free waterproofing. If you're concerned about the waterproofing of your property, find out more about Cosmofin and Wolfin, or contact the Projex team.