633 CHURCH STREET, RICHMOND, VICTORIA
Badly corroded balustrade post support
Typical balcony, showing water penetration through slab above the window
Investigation adjacent window showing lack of effective membrane
633 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria
CLIENT: ICONIC STRATA MANAGEMENT PTY LTD FOR THE OWNERS CORPORATION
Constructed in 1999, 633 Church St Richmond is a prominent eight-storey building that houses a restaurant on the ground floor and residential apartments from levels 2-8. The building features 84 reinforced concrete balconies which cantilever out on all sides of the building. The owners identified major problems with storm water penetration into the apartments and through the balcony slabs as well as severe corrosion to the steel balustrade support posts.
CHALLENGES
Water penetration into the apartments was occurring via a construction joint between the balcony slab and the concrete ‘hob’ upon which the window is founded. Significant corrosion of the balustrade support posts was occurring at or below the level of the tiles. Furthermore, the concrete was cracking at various locations. A remedial solution was needed to correct the issues.
Access through the apartments was considered too intrusive to the residents. Hence, all works needed to be conducted from the building’s exterior.
Rain water penetration into the apartments during any remedial works was a potential risk. Hence it was imperative that the solution provided minimum delays between the work items
Issues during the construction phase required Infracorr to:• Liaise with local council to obtain the necessary permits
• Ensure that the contractor’s works were performed in accordance with Infracorr ‘s specification
• Project manage the works for the Owners Corporation
SOLUTIONS
Infracorr’s IRATA trained rope access engineers undertook an investigation of the issues. As part of the investigation works, budget estimates were provided for the required repairs. No structural issues were detected.
Infracorr then prepared a detailed design for the rehabilitation works based on the findings of the investigation, including specifications and tender documents. These were carefully prepared to ensure a high quality, long lasting and cost-effective repair method.
To ensure no recurrence of any water penetration problems, together with slab crack/joint sealing, two layers of cementitious membrane were specified.
The initial membrane was required to be applied to the balcony slab and the second membrane to be applied over the new grading screed to be constructed over the initial membrane layer. Special requirements at the slab/window ‘hob’ and at all slab/wall joints were detailed.
Aluminium balustrading structural members were specified by Infracorr, with special waterproofing details required at the base of the posts.RESULTS
After Infracorr assisted the Owner’s Corporation to select the most suitable repair contractor, Infracorr supervised the rehabilitation works, helping to ensure a continuously high quality of work.
Demolition works during the early stages of the repair confirmed the findings of the investigation that an effective waterproofing membrane was not present.
Infracorr's specialised services provided throughout the course of the project enabled the Owner's Corporation to achieve their desired outcome with a long term solution to the balcony issues.