Waterproofing solution used for ‘landmark’ development

Construction company Storm Waterproofing Systems’ specialists made use of the Spraylock concrete protection technology to successfully cure, increase the concrete durability of and waterproof the ground and first floors, as well as the roof of the new Deloitte head office in Waterfall City, in Midrand.

The new premises consolidates Deloitte’s Woodmead and Tshwane offices – both located in Gauteng – in a central location.

Consisting of 42 500 m2 of workspace to accommodate about 5 000 employees, the premises comprises a ground floor with six storeys of offices and four basement parking levels, including nearly 2 000 parking bays.

The building, valued at more than R1-billion, is co-owned by JSE-listed companies Attacq and Atterbury, which were also the project developers.

The technology provided a more precise and cost-effective, as well as faster, means of waterproofing 18 828 m2 of concrete slabs on this fast-track development for the professional services firm.

Storm Waterproofing Systems was contracted by the development’s principal building contractor, WBHO, to provide high-quality waterproofing services.

The company was awarded the contract based on the valuable service it supplied to the leading building contractor on previous projects as a specialist waterproofing subcontractor.

Storm Waterproofing Systems contracts manager Jared Slater says one of the biggest advantages of Spraylock concrete protection technology is that it is applied at the time of concrete placement.

This reaction is the same as cement hydration, which provides most of concrete’s desirable properties, he adds.

“It penetrates the concrete capillary and pore structure after bleed water exits, reacting with free alkali to primarily form additional calcium silicate hydrate within the concrete.

“This reaction prevents harmful moisture migration within the concrete matrix to acceptable levels for coatings, coverings and flooring. It also enhances resistance to chemical and environmental attack, provides permanent protection, increases durability, and reduces scaling and spalling.”

Further, the technology also ensures a superior concrete cure as strong as, if not better than, the 28-day water-ponding solution, without delays – a significant benefit on fast-track projects, he explains.

It also eliminates the need for curing membranes, densifiers, floor hardeners and moisture barriers, while slabs treated with the technology can be accessed in as little as an hour and installed with flooring and coating within 14 days.

The Spraylock concrete protection technology also allows for significantly accelerating the waterproofing process, consequently resulting in construction cost-savings for the client.

"The technology is non-flammable, does not contain any volatile organic compounds and is “safe and easy to apply”, says Slater.

Waterproofing started at the end of 2018 and was completed on time and to quality standards in mid-2019.

Moreover, concrete water proofing and protection products manufacturer SprayLock Africa is proud of its association with Storm Waterproofing Systems.

“The company continues to build on a legacy of more than 30 years, providing cutting-edge waterproofing solutions for the construction industry. Its services are in demand in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent, such as in Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, where the company has worked on an array of private-sector development projects,” says SprayLock Africa.

To cater to the growing demand for concrete protection technology products across South Africa’s borders, distributors have been established in Kenya and Botswana and more will be appointed in other countries in the foreseeable future.