Project Overview

Weatherproof Consulting was engaged following reports of water logging beneath the commercial kitchen vinyl floor and moisture ingress to the southern façade. The facility operates a dementia care ward adjacent to the affected area, making accurate diagnosis and carefully managed works critical.

Client: IBIS Care Holdings
Role: Client Representative | Superintendent
Building: Multi-storey face brick aged care facility, Class 9c, constructed 1974 with alterations & additions
Location: Bexley, NSW

Project Objectives

  • Identify the root cause(s) of the leak(s)
  • Develop a comprehensive and holistic rectification solution including a design and scope
  • Manage the sequence of works
  • Provide quality assurance including testing regimes to ensure the designed solution provided a fit for purpose end result
  • Undertake Project Management Services

Design & Planning

Comprehensive planning included:

  • Conducting facade testing with the use of a rain wand, inspection camera, smoke machine, infrared and moisture meters
  • Inspect internal elements and conduct material analysis
  • Design and prepare Request For Tender documentation
  • Procurement of an appropriately registered building practitioner
  • Overseeing the tender process and review of construction documentation
  • Project Management of the building work process and associated works
  • Closing off and defects management

Tender

Three specialist contractors were invited to tender. Two complying submissions were received and assessed against pricing, program, margin, resources, and compliance with the RFT. One tenderer was recommended as the preferred contractor across both stages on the basis of competitive pricing and demonstrated remedial experience.

The total project budget, inclusive of contingency, was $492,330.

Implemented Solutions

  • Cavity flashing replacement
  • Crack stitching
  • Render repairs
  • Facade coatings
  • Hydraulic provisions

Key Challenges

The facility remained occupied throughout the works. Access restrictions, police check requirements for all site personnel, noise management adjacent to the dementia ward, and staged programming were all managed as part of the superintendent role. Works were sequenced to complete all external envelope repairs before internal kitchen works commenced — a deliberate approach to ensure the root cause of moisture ingress was resolved before the floor system was installed.

Conclusion

Following the engagement, all water ingress issues outlined in the agreement have been fully resolved, enabling the aged care facility to continue its operations without interruption.

“I have worked with Hugo and his team at Weatherproof Consulting and have found them great to work with.”

Leo Damis — Head of Property, IBIS Care Holdings