Your building is undergoing waterproofing remediation. This page covers what’s happening, how it affects your daily life, and what you need to do.
Per area — depending on scope and size. Full building programs are staged so your disruption window is limited. Weather delays are common.
Monday to Friday. Saturdays (8am–1pm) only if required for catch-up. No work Sundays or public holidays.
Loudest period: the first 1–2 weeks.
The demolition phase — jackhammering, grinding, power tools — is the noisiest part of the entire project. After demolition is complete, noise drops significantly for the remaining works. If you work from home, let the site supervisor know and we’ll give you the specific dates for your area so you can plan around them.
This is what you’ll actually notice.
The first 1–2 weeks of demolition are the loudest — jackhammering, grinding, power tools. Vibration may be felt in adjacent units. Drops significantly after demolition.
Scaffolding may wrap part or all of the building for the duration. It changes the look of the building and may reduce natural light to some units. Anchor tie marks are patched when it comes down.
Your balcony, terrace, or affected communal area is completely closed for the duration. Finished areas are handed back progressively.
Your door will be out for 2 weeks if reinstated, or 3–4 weeks if being replaced with a new door. A secure, weatherproof hoarding is installed the same day. Details below.
Tradespeople work outside your windows and doors. They may need to enter your unit for access or inspections — always coordinated in advance.
Concrete demolition creates dust. We use sheeting and containment, but some may enter through gaps around doors and windows.
Some car spaces may be temporarily unavailable. Entry/exit routes may change. Driveways may close briefly during crane lifts.
Keep pets out of the work area. During door removal, secure them in a closed room. Noise-sensitive pets may need alternative arrangements.
Everything removed from the work area before your start date. Nothing can stay. If too heavy to move, let your strata manager know.
Water, hot water, or gas may be briefly interrupted if services run through the work zone. Notified in advance.
Your existing door is removed so the threshold can be properly waterproofed. How long it’s out depends on whether the door is being reinstated or replaced with a new one.
During this period: your unit stays secure and weatherproof, but you lose natural light and airflow from that opening. If this creates hardship, let your strata manager know before works reach your unit.
The specific scope is detailed in your project’s engineering specification. This is the general sequence of how waterproofing remediation works.
Existing finishes — tiles, pavers, screed — and the old waterproofing membrane are removed to expose the structural slab underneath. This is the loudest and most disruptive phase, involving jackhammering, grinding, and debris removal. The work area is fully closed to residents from this point.
With the slab exposed, any cracking, spalling, or reinforcement corrosion is repaired. The extent depends on the condition found during demolition — if significant corrosion is present, additional breakout and patching may be required, which can extend the timeline for this stage.
Your existing door is removed and a temporary weatherproof hoarding is installed in the opening the same day. This allows the door threshold — one of the most common waterproofing failure points — to be properly detailed. If the door is being reinstated, it’s stored securely on-site. If it’s being replaced, the new door is sent for fabrication at this stage (3–4 weeks lead time).
The new waterproofing membrane is applied to the prepared slab in multiple coats, with reinforcing at junctions and upturns. Each coat needs to cure before the next is applied. This stage is weather-dependent — rain or cold temperatures mean we wait rather than risk a failed membrane.
Before any finishes go back on, the membrane is flood tested — the area is filled with water and held for a minimum period while adjacent areas below are inspected for leaks. If a defect is found, it’s repaired and retested. This is how we prove the waterproofing works before it gets covered up.
Once the membrane passes testing, protective screed is laid followed by the final finish — tiles, pavers, or coatings per the engineer’s specification. Drainage outlets and flashings are completed. Your door is reinstated or your new door is installed once the threshold tiling and sealant are complete, and the hoarding comes down the same day.
Completed areas are handed back progressively with a final inspection. You don’t wait for the entire project to finish before getting your area back. A defects liability period begins at handover — if anything needs a fix, we come back at no additional cost.
No. You stay in your unit throughout. During door removal, the hoarding keeps your unit secure and weatherproof.
Keep pets out of the work area. Secure them in a closed room during door changeover. Noise-sensitive pets may need alternative arrangements during demolition.
We complete a dilapidation report before starting. If damage occurs, report it to the site supervisor with a photo. We make good any damage caused by the works.
No. It’s off-limits until handover. Walking on curing membrane means redoing it.
Funded through the owners corporation — capital works fund or special levy. Individual owners aren’t separately invoiced unless private lot areas are involved.
Membranes need dry conditions. Rain delays are common and may push your completion date.
Defects liability period plus NSW Fair Trading warranty. If something needs fixing, report it to your strata manager. We come back at no cost.
Call the site supervisor — number in your pre-start letter and posted in the lobby. Same-day response.
Contact your strata manager, or for urgent site issues call the supervisor number in your pre-start letter.