Waterproofing Heritage Listed Buildings from Bayset
Case Study - Waterproofing A Listed Building
Warwick, Queensland
Waterproofing a state heritage listed historic building
Plumb's Chambers is a historic building registered as a 'Place of Cultural Significance', located in Warwick, Queensland. The building dates to 1874-75 and was structurally compromised with substantial rising damp issues.
Project Overview
Plumb's Chambers dates to 1874-1875.
Built of timber, brick and sandstone, the
building was structurally degraded by
compromised footings and subsequent
movement, termite-damaged structural
woodwork, and substantial rising damp
issues.
With the $1million+ restoration works to
be undertaken by the McConaghy Group
with guidance by Andrew Watson of
Watson Architects, an internationally
trained and experienced building
conservation architect; the restoration
scope was to preserve as much of the
original building as possible, whilst
making it a fully functioning office or retail
space that meets 21st century standards.
McConaghy Group's principal Mr. Robert
McConaghy's direction was "I want this done
right, don't cut any corners. Do it properly."
Methodology
The integrity of the restoration process was
not be influenced by the achievement of a
completion deadline.
After careful consideration and collaboration
between the McConaghy Group, Watson
Architects, Newton Waterproofing Systems
UK and their Australian distributor Bayset
Trade Supplies, and Wetlock Industries (the
authorised Newton System Contractor),
Newton System 800 was specified. It was
selected for its successful performance on
similar properties in the UK; its ability to allow
the building to breathe yet still control
moisture vapour transmission; compatibility
with new termite barriers and subsequent
wall and floor coverings; speed of installation
as no curing periods.
The system is also reversible (so can be
removed without altering the integrity of the
building)
Result
Newton System 800 was specified for
application to all in-ground and externally
exposed fascia walls, and under all bearer
and joist floors. This specification required
careful detailing as the Newton 803
membrane transitioned between levels,
including behind and around existing
bearers, joists and wall-plates, full wraps
around door and window openings and the
decommissioned fireplace. Works required
coordination with carpenters, plasterers,
pest control (termite barriers), electricians,
plumbers and air-conditioning contractors
to ensure all design requirements were met
without compromise to the Newton Damp
Proofing System.
Once the existing wall coverings and
cement render coatings were removed,
the extent of rising damp could be clearly
seen with the naked eye, and the walls
and footings felt cold and damp to the
touch. The job was inspected 2-weeks after membrane installation was completed,
and condensation of the rising damp was
clearly evident behind the membrane, in
many areas to a height of approximately
2.2m. McConaghy's project manager
was very surprised to see just how much
moisture the system contained, and this
was a clear illustration that the Newton
System 800 was performing effectively
and as intended. It was also clear that the
originally specified render and chemical
barriers systems would have likely
struggled to achieve the same control of
moisture vapour transmission.
In summary, Newton System 800 was
successfully installed by Wetlock on time and
on budget, and the client is very happy with
its performance. Wetlock are very happy
with the results and look forward to the
opportunity of working on heritage
restoration projects in future.
Installation of Newton System 800 damp proof membranes & Newton 803 membrane transitioned between levels and around door openings
Overview
Property Type Listed Heritage Building
Project Type Refurbishment
Products used
- Newton System 800 Damp Proofing Products
Key project factors
- Termite-damaged woodwork
- Extensive rising damp
- Building conservation architect undertook the extensive restoration work
Contractor
- Wetlock Waterproofing
Distributor
- Bayset Pty Ltd
Here Newton 803 membrane was being
installed to the floors
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