In this block, I would like to talk about the waterproofing of a retaining wall
We have the following case here: The property is located in Templestowe
The terrain is hilly, so retaining walls have to be used to create even horizontal parts.
The ground level on both sides of the retaining wall is different and it depends on many factors.
The wall side on which the ground level is higher is referred to as positive side. Accordingly, the pressure of ground and water on the wall is referred to as positive pressure.
The wall side on which the ground level is lower is referred to as negative side. Accordingly, the water pressure on this wall side is referred to as negative pressure.
Waterproofing Melbourne | Internal Wall Waterproofing | Damp Proofing | Rising Damp | Waterproofing Rising Damp
| Internal Waterproofing | Lateral Damp | Garage Waterproofing | AWC Group| Penetrating Damp | Crack Injection |
External Waterproofing | External Wall Waterproofing
In our particular case, the ground level on the positive side of the retaining wall is higher by an average of 1.7 m.
As explained in the previous blocks, there are two independent sources of moisture penetration: Rising Damp and Lateral damp or Penetrating damp.
The wall is rendered on the negative side. Nonetheless, dampness and even water penetrated through the wall, causing the destruction of render.
The homeowner decided to fix this and turned to our company.
The best solution to this problem would be to excavate the ground on the positive side of the retaining wall, to do external waterproofing and then to forget about this problem for the next 20 to 30 years.
Due to the location of the wall, it is impossible to drive up to it with an excavator.
The only thing we could do was dig with shovels. Given the depth and rocky ground, this work should be expensive.
Waterproofing Melbourne | Internal Wall Waterproofing | Damp Proofing | Rising Damp | Waterproofing Rising Damp
| Internal Waterproofing | Lateral Damp | Garage Waterproofing | AWC Group| Penetrating Damp | Crack Injection |
External Waterproofing | External Wall Waterproofing
Therefore, we proposed to do the waterproofing the negative wall side.
70% of the success of all work is high-quality surface preparation for waterproofing materials.
The work is difficult, takes a lot of time and effort, but we are always in a good mood.
This is a little joke from our technician.
The first step was to remove the existing render with a small demolition hammer.
Then we removed the render residues with the grinder.
Thanks to this procedure, we can determine the wettest part of the wall.
We also removed the render from the top of the retaining wall.
The retaining wall is perfectly constructed: it is made of single brick on both sides, and the void between the sides is filled with concrete.
Overall retaining wall width is 370 mm.
We filled the open holes and voids with a suitable product.
On this stage the surface preparation is finished.
We applied the first coat of waterproofing membrane to the retaining wall and installed the damp proof course.
Once the cream has been absorbed, we filled the holes with a suitable product.
Waterproofing Melbourne | Internal Wall Waterproofing | Damp Proofing | Rising Damp | Waterproofing Rising Damp
| Internal Waterproofing | Lateral Damp | Garage Waterproofing | AWC Group| Penetrating Damp | Crack Injection |
External Waterproofing | External Wall Waterproofing
In total, we applied 4 coats of Fibre Reinforced Waterproofing Membrane, suitable for negative pressure to the wall surface + 2 coats on top of the membrane – Moisture barrier to negative sides of underground wall.
