Concrete cancer

20 March 2019. By Chris

As with all things in life, there are specialists for most things. We are specialists in larger structures – we understand them, we know what is required to fix their issues and we have the equipment and capacity to perform the required work. Learn what the difference is between structural repair for larger buildings vs smaller ones.

21 December 2018. By

Concrete repair and building in general can be a complex subject. Many terms are sefl explanatory, though many others are less so. In this piece we steer clear of some of the more well used terms and focus on the terms which are used less often, but which are good to know.

23 May 2018. By The Waterproofing team

Whilst waterproofing issues are almost to be expected in older buildings, we are undertaking an increasing amount of work in newer buildings where, during the initial building process the builders and/or their contractors have overlooked specific structural requirements that have caused ongoing issues. Here are a few things you can look out for.

12 January 2018. By Remedial Team

In the situation that you do need to hire a structural repair specialist, it is important that you find the right one, but knowing what to look for – for something you have little experience with – in a contractor can be somewhat overwhelming. To help make life that little bit easier, we have put together a cheat-sheet on hiring a structural repair specialist.

30 March 2018. By Remedial Team

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8 March 2016. By Chris Jakovljevic

A recent national survey on strata-titled property – conducted by Queensland’s Griffith University and reported on Domain shows that building defects (physical problems found in the infrastructure or outer finish of a building) are the number one issue facing apartment owners in 2015.

3 December 2012. By Hamish Anderson

Things to be aware of when buying a new house or unit

30 October 2012. By Hamish

There is a saying along the lines of “A man (or woman’s) home is their castle”. I have no idea where the saying originated, but I think many of us can relate just the same. Home is where we feel safe, where everything is in order and where everything just feels right. Whilst we may enjoy this truth on the inside, sadly outside is not always the same. In some instances it is gardening duty and in others, building repair. Sadly, in many instances, Mother Nature works to conspire against dreams of our house being a castle, causing buildings to suffer from the effects of the environment (too often this is combined with poor quality construction methods).

13 September 2012. By Chris Jakovljevic

I was reminded this week of the need to fix structural issues as they become apparent and to not delay maintenance. I was discussing the importance with a potential client who believed that fixing concrete cancer was as simple as removing the drummy concrete and rendering over the exposed area. I explained to them that this was a myopic view and one which would cost them more money in the short and medium term. They didn't want to agree, arguing that no immediate action was necessary to rectify the underlying issues I had explained. When they said this, I was reminded of the old expression which I will paraphrase here to make my point:

8 June 2012. By Jeff Anderson

I was recently reading an article posted in the Sydney Morning Herald (“No end in sight to waiting game on Bunn Street”) about an apartment complex in Pyrmont Sydney with chronic structural issues and fire safety non-compliance. Due to these issues, residents had been forced to move out of the building in 2009 until such time the identified issues were rectified. Sadly, the residents are still not back at home in their apartments; instead, they are being housed at a cost of $90,000 a month, in Zetland. This is just mind boggling. Not only is the cost of housing the residents elsewhere an unnecessary drain on the coffers of the NSW Government, but it is a gross imposition on the residents themselves who have been moved across town from the waterside suburb of Pyrmont to Zetland, a suburb in close proximity to the airport.

18 April 2011. By Jeff Anderson

For some time there has been debate over the alternative solutions to concrete and structural repair issues. Some argue that treating the visible signs and monitoring them closely is a solution, whilst others put forward the thought that rapid response will ultimately lower the long term costs to the owner.