In the late 1990’s we developed a system for treating concrete bridge decks. We also developed a system for repairing cracks in concrete bridge decks. Both these systems were specified in 1997 by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways as the only systems to be used on the over 3 million square feet of concrete bridge decks on the (Vancouver) Island Freeway Project. They specifically made it clear there were to be no “or similar” systems allowable.
In 2008 at the request of a personal friend this system was used to treat and repair the suspended slab between the two floors of their buildings’ parking levels.
In 2015 we were called by the strata council president saying they were now required by the province to prepare and submit a “Depreciation Report” to better inform themselves and future sellers and buyers of the units in their 20 story building what maintenance costs were to be going forward. This “Depreciation Report” was to be obtained from appropriate engineers, then submitted to the provincial government. It would clearly show the amount of funds, as owners, they were required to allocate in the months and years ahead to meet future maintenance costs for the entire building.
It so happened this report contained the requirement they put a membrane on the suspended slab in their parking area at a cost of approximately $150,000. This membrane was to be repaired when needed and would probably need to be replaced every 15 years or so. This was a minimum financial commitment of $10,000 per year for the owners.
They called us because we had told them in 2008 the work we did was permanent, so why should they require a $150,000 membrane?. Could we help?
We met with them on-site and discussed the “Depreciation Report” as it pertained to the slab and then inspected the slab in question with them.
The slab looked like the day it was done 7 years prior, with no signs of deterioration or anything requiring attention.
They asked if I could call the engineers who did the Depreciation Report. I did so.
I explained to the engineer, “this system was developed for concrete bridge decks. It was vastly superior to any membrane and extreme overkill for waterproofing a suspended slab in a parking structure, as was the crack repair system implemented. I further explained how it was permanent and cost them only $16,000! Once!
At the end of our conversation, the engineer remarked, “I’ll look into it”.
The president of the strata council called me about a month later saying the engineer had informed them the requirement for the membrane had been waived.
The president of the strata council thanked me, profusely.