Balcony Rectification Work - April 2006
Queenscliff Road, Queenscliffe
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This four storey building having 24 units is positioned on the headland overlooking the ocean and Manly Beach. The building is constructed having reinforced concrete cantilever balconies that are exposed to the extremely harsh chloride environment of the Pacific Ocean.
Concrete spalling and corrosion staining was evident to the slab edges around the perimeter of the balconies. Evidence of water penetration was observed to the soffit of the balcony slabs and the corrosion of embedded steel hold-down bolts for fixing old balustrades also caused concrete spalling.
Low concrete cover was found to primarily be the contributing factor to the reinforcement corrosion to the balconies.
Following the advice of Strata Engineering Solutions the Owners Corporation agreed to undertake initial trial repairs to three of the balconies to confirm the extent of the damage and remedial work required and to enable the preparation of a scope of work for the remaining balconies.
The Owners Corporation were most impressed with the results of the remedial work to the three balconies and decided that a complete balcony refurbishment should be carried out to enhance the appearance of the building. Work then involved demolishing the existing balcony tiles and balustrades, followed by concrete repair works to the slab edges and soffits and the installation of a waterproof membrane to the balcony slab, laying new tiles and erecting new stainless steel and glass balustrades.
Strata Engineering Solutions prepared the tender documents and specifications and a contract was awarded. The contract works were carried out by building contractors C J Duncan Builders who staged the construction and accessed the balconies by scaffolding and completing one elevation of the building at a time.
Stage 1 of the rectification works has recently been completed and a new lease of life given to the Southern elevation of the building.
The concrete repair component of the works was limited to primarily the slab edges and coring out the corroded embedded steel fixings, prior to minor patch repairs to the balcony soffits.
C J Duncan Builders is continuing their good work on the remaining elevations of the building. The Owners Corporation is more than pleased with the works to date with comments like: “It is turning out to be a great finishing touch to a landmark building”.
We would like to thank all involved in the success of this project including C J Duncan Builders, the Owners Corporation and the Strata Manager – BCS Strata Management.