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Home Case Studies Remedial Case Studies Plumb’s Chambers Restoration

Located in Warwick, Queensland. The building dates to 1874-75 and was structurally compromised with substantial rising damp issues.

State Heritage Listed Historic Building

84 FITZROY street
Warwick QLD, 4370

Date: March 2016

Project: Restoration

Applicator: Wetlock Waterproofing

Application: Waterproofing

Restoring a Historic Building to its Former Glory

Plumb’s Chambers is a historic building registered as a ‘Place of Cultural Significance’, located in Warwick, Queensland. The building dates to 1874-75 and was structurally compromised with substantial rising damp issues.

Built of timber, brick and sandstone, the building was structurally degraded by compromised footings and subsequent movement, termite-damaged structural woodwork, and substantial rising damp issues. With the $1million+ restoration works to be undertaken by the McConaghy Group with guidance from Andrew

Watson of Watson Architects, an internationally trained and experienced building conservation architect; the restoration scope was to preserve
as much of the original building as possible, whilst making it a fully functioning office or retail space that meets 21st century standards. McConaghy Group’s principal Mr. Robert McConaghy’s direction was “I want this done right, don’t cut any corners. Do it properly.”

Products Specified

METHODOLOGY

The integrity of the restoration process was not influenced by the achievement of a completion deadline. After careful consideration and collaboration between the McConaghy Group, Watson Architects, Newton Waterproofing Systems UK and their Australian distributor Bayset Trade Supplies, and Wetlock Industries (the authorised Newton System Contractor), Newton System 800 was specified.

It was selected for its successful performance on similar properties in the UK; its ability to allow the building to breathe yet still control moisture vapour transmission; compatibility with new termite barriers and subsequent wall and floor coverings; and speed of installation as no curing periods. The system is also reversible (so can be removed without altering the integrity of the building).

RESULT & TESTIMONIAL

Newton System 800 was specified for application to all in-ground and externally exposed fascia walls, and under all bearer and joist floors. This specification required careful detailing as the Newton 803 membrane transitioned between levels, including behind and around existing bearers, joists and wall plates, full wraps around the door and window openings and the decommissioned fireplace. Works required coordination with carpenters, plasterers, pest control (termite barriers), electricians, plumbers and air- conditioning contractors to ensure all design requirements were met without compromise to the Newton Damp Proofing System.

Once the existing wall coverings and cement render coatings were removed, the extent of rising dampness could be clearly seen with the naked eye, and the walls and footings felt cold and damp to the touch. The job was inspected 2 weeks after membrane installation was completed, and condensation of the rising damp was clearly evident behind the membrane, in many areas to a height of approximately 2.2m. McConaghy’s project manager was very surprised to see just how much moisture the system contained, and this was a clear illustration that the Newton System 800 was performing effectively and as intended.

It was also clear that the originally specified render and chemical barrier systems would have likely struggled to achieve the same control of moisture vapour transmission.

In summary, Newton System 800 was successfully installed by Wetlock on time and on budget, and the client is very happy with its performance. Wetlock is very happy with the results and looks forward to the opportunity of working on heritage restoration projects in future.