
Brand New Apartments Have Mould!
Property owners have been forced from their homes and, according to some media reports, new purchasers have not only lost hefty deposits but are also unable to obtain new loans.
Why Do
Torch-on bitumen is a relatively common form of membrane for waterproofing but not an easy installation for the uninitiated.
We look at what’s involved when the torch-on membrane is most suitable and why it is an optimum choice for long-term and effective waterproofing solutions.
Torch-on is a flexible membrane containing bitumen and a variety of polymers. It contains asphalt in one of two forms: Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS), a rubber modified asphalt, or Atactic Polypropylene Plastic (APP), a plastic modified asphalt.
Torch-on bitumen is heat activated, so applied to the surface using a blow torch. We then add a layer of polymer to enhance structural integrity. Membrane edges are also bonded with heat, giving us the flexibility to cut and shape it to fit any space.
APP is quicker to install but less flexible and hardwearing than the SBS type of torch-on. SBS requires a longer installation process as it takes longer to heat. It is very flexible however and has a very long life span. Both types of torch-on installation are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
What are the
Benefits of this type of membrane?
Torch-on membranes are robust and durable, with UV and heat-reflective properties. Additional benefits include guaranteed membrane thickness, double thickness, long-term durability, vapour distribution base sheets and root resistance.
Torch-on membranes are also non-water soluble, suitable for very damp or submerged areas such as basements, tanks, and swimming pools.
At Danrae Group, we frequently recommend torch-on membranes for projects ranging from luxury apartment blocks to watertight planter boxes. And we find they can be a good option for flat roofs, which are more susceptible to storm damage, extreme weather and blockages that impact adequate drainage.
At Danrae, we have team members highly skilled in torch-on membrane application. Christian Xuereb is a Remedial Waterproofing Tradesman who has been in construction since he was 14 years old. A master of all trades, his skills include bricklaying, rendering, waterproofing, plastering and one of his favourites, laying torch membrane.
Zach Smith is another of our Remedial Waterproofing Tradesmen, and he gained extensive training and experience with torch-on while living in his native England.
“I do all sorts of waterproofing, but I specialise in torch-on membrane. I learnt everything about it while I was a roofer in England for ten years. You use a blow torch and it’s harder than it looks, plus there’s a lot of detail involved. I’m passionate about torch-on… and about doing every job as you’d like it done in your own home.”
Zach installed torch-on for a Surry Hills luxury apartment block that had been plagued by waterproofing issues for decades. With our extensive in-house expertise, we were able to provide a customised waterproofing solution that also included the installation of a PVC membrane for the rooftop’s tennis court.
At Danrae Group, we provide end-to-end project management and comprehensive leak detection, solution design, waterproofing and remediation from our skilled in-house team of waterproofing contractors and trades professionals.
Our team tailors every solution design to the type and location of the property, we triple test every waterproofing installation, and we provide a full waterproofing guarantee. We also offer preventative maintenance plans to preserve your waterproofing solution and the integrity and value of your property.
Please feel free to call Danrae Group on 1800 326 723 to discuss your needs.
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Property owners have been forced from their homes and, according to some media reports, new purchasers have not only lost hefty deposits but are also unable to obtain new loans.
Danrae Group has decades of experience in waterproofing, and we know that details matter. A successful waterproofing project takes comprehensive planning and delivery to ensure you get the result you need to protect your property, minimise tenant disruption and avoid unnecessary project delays.
There have been stories of owners locked out of strata towers or left in limbo as new apartment construction has stalled. Even smaller waterproofing issues can lead to extensive and costly repairs and sometimes health issues.
While some use the terms interchangeably, concrete cancer and concrete spalling describe two stages of a related issue… which can wreak havoc if left untreated.
Waterproofing testing is particularly important at both the first and last stages of any waterproofing project. We use it for leak detection, to ensure we can correctly identify the source of water ingress and all issues including concrete spalling and cancer.
In NSW, all waterproofers should be licenced, registered and insured. The Department of Fair Trading issues licences for contractors, supervisors and companies for one, three or five years, and a licenced waterproofer can only conduct the type of work described on their certificate.
While poor-quality waterproofing is a significant contributor to strata defects, there are several common problem areas that, if neglected, will likely lead to water ingress, affecting your tenants and your property.
Rooftop gardens are becoming increasingly popular in strata and commercial spaces due to their environmental, aesthetic and wellbeing benefits. They require a slightly different approach to standard flat roof waterproofing, with a few key considerations.
Strata managers often need to oversee all aspects of administration and facilities management which may mean getting to know diverse aspects of building construction and maintenance… including waterproofing.
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