Remedial waterproofing that fixes the cause.
When a waterproofing system fails, applying a new membrane over the top rarely works — it simply relocates the problem. We diagnose the failure mechanism first, then install the correct remedial system across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and SEQ.
Failed waterproofing is a diagnosis problem before it is a repair problem
Remedial waterproofing is the diagnosis and repair of failed or failing waterproofing systems in existing buildings. It is fundamentally different from new-construction waterproofing: the substrate already exists, the failure has a history, and the visible symptoms are usually some distance from the actual point of water entry.
Water is a traveller. It enters at one point, tracks along the path of least resistance — falls, slabs, structural members, service penetrations — and emerges somewhere else entirely. A wet patch on a ceiling is rarely directly beneath the breach above it. This is why so many remedial attempts fail: the repair is applied where the water appears, not where it enters.
Our remedial process begins with investigation. Only once we have identified how and where water is entering do we specify a repair. It is a slower start than most contractors offer, but it is the reason our remedial work lasts — and the reason we are called in to correct other contractors’ failed repairs.
Remedial works across every application
From single balconies to whole-of-building membrane replacement, our team carries deep experience across residential, strata and commercial remedial waterproofing.
Balcony & terrace remediation
Full membrane replacement where tile-over balcony systems have failed — tile removal, substrate repair, new liquid-applied membrane and reinstatement.
Below-ground & basement
Negative-side and positive-side treatment of leaking basements, lift pits and undercroft car parks using crack injection, crystalline and cavity drainage systems.
Roof & podium decks
Remediation of failed roof membranes and landscaped podium decks over occupied space, with root barriers and drainage where required.
Wet-area re-waterproofing
Bathrooms and internal wet areas where the original membrane has failed — re-waterproofed to AS 3740 with inspection certificates.
Structural crack sealing
Injection of cracks in concrete walls, slabs and structures to eliminate active water ingress and protect embedded reinforcement.
Facade & retaining walls
Treatment of water ingress through facades, planter boxes and retaining walls, addressing both the membrane and the drainage that feeds it.
Diagnose, specify, apply, verify
Investigation & diagnosis
Systematic inspection of the affected area and the likely entry points — probing, moisture mapping, thermal imaging and drain testing. We establish how water is entering before anything else.
Specification
We specify the correct remedial system for the substrate, the exposure and the mode of failure — not a one-size-fits-all membrane. The specification is documented so you know exactly what is being installed.
Preparation
The single largest determinant of remedial success. Removal of failed materials, substrate repair, crack routing, priming and detailing of penetrations and junctions to manufacturer requirements.
Application
Installation to manufacturer coverage rates and standard dimensions by accredited applicators, with fabric reinforcement at all corners and stress points.
Verification & documentation
Flood testing where practical, photographic records at every stage and a written warranty. You receive the evidence, not just the invoice.
The seven failure modes we design out
Most premature waterproofing failures trace back to a small number of avoidable errors. Our methodology is built specifically to eliminate them.
- Misdiagnosis — repairing where water appears rather than where it enters. We invest in investigation first.
- Inadequate preparation — applying to dusty, damp or debonded substrates. We prepare to manufacturer requirements.
- Wrong system selection — a membrane unsuited to the substrate or exposure. We specify to the conditions.
- Under-application — below-specification film thickness. We apply to documented coverage rates.
- Poor detailing — unreinforced corners, penetrations and drains. We reinforce every stress point.
- Ignoring movement — rigid systems across active joints. We accommodate movement by design.
Remedial Waterproofing FAQs
Yes — this is a large part of our work. Failed repairs almost always trace back to misdiagnosis: the previous repair was applied where the water appeared, not where it entered. We start again from investigation, identify the true entry point and specify a repair that addresses the cause.
Not always, but frequently yes. If the membrane beneath the tiles has failed, a durable repair requires removing the tiles, replacing the membrane and re-tiling. Surface-applied coatings over existing tiles are available for some situations but have a shorter service life — we will advise honestly on what your situation requires.
Yes. We provide written inspection and diagnosis reports suitable for insurance claims, body corporate records and QBCC matters, documenting the cause of failure, the recommended remediation and supporting photographs.
A correctly diagnosed and installed remedial system should deliver a service life comparable to new construction — typically many years, backed by our written warranty. The key variable is diagnosis: a repair that addresses the true cause lasts; one that treats symptoms does not.
Explore related work
Stop a leak at its source
If you have a persistent or recurring leak, book an assessment. We’ll diagnose the cause and provide an honest, written remedial quote.