A
national trade body has produced a webinar to support architects and building
professionals with the challenges of waterproofing podium decks.

While
the construction of podium decks has been around for some time, the use of a
basement roof structure to extend beyond the building line and under gardens
has increased recently.

In line with this trend, the PCA’s specialist structural waterproofing
members are reporting an increase in the number of calls requesting their
advice and expertise to resolve a number of issues.

With this in mind, the PCA is bringing in one of the UK’s eminent
experts in the subject area, Ben Hickman, to give insight into some of the key
issues.

Ben, of CSSW.LONDON, a PCA Board Member and leading waterproofing
design specialist, has recently completed a research Masters at the University
of Cambridge focussing on podium deck waterproofing and is contributing to NHBC
Chapter 7.1 task group.

He has also contributed to LABC technical manual development.

Ben will be sharing his expertise, including that gained as an
expert witness on numerous failed podium deck waterproofing projects, in the
webinar.

Content will include research on fundamental features of podium
deck waterproofing, questions over whether podium decks need falls, top tips on
podium deck waterproofing and case studies on failures.

More
details about the live webinar – which is being held between 8am and 9am
on  13 February – as well as booking details, can be found at https://www.property-care.org/events/webinar-podium-deck-waterproofing/

James Berry, PCA Technical Manager, said: “Ben brings together a
wealth of expertise in an area of significant importance.

“Increasingly, our expert structural waterproofing members are
being called upon to advise on failed systems for this type of structure after
the construction phase in a bid to remedy problems.

“However, if advice can be given at an early stage, then costly
mistakes can be rectified.

“Hopefully this webinar will go some way to share best practice.�

The webinar is the latest development from the PCA to raise
awareness of and put forward solutions to tackle issues with podium decks.

In 2017, it produced the ‘Guidance Document – Podium Decks &
Buried Roofs’ (PCA) to help the construction sector make informed decisions on
the growing trend being seen in the UK to extend basement roof structures.

The document explains how their advice should be sought at the design
stage to iron out problems and avoid costly repairs.

Available for free download from the PCA website http://www.property-care.org/professionals/technical-documents/structural-waterproofing-document-library/ it sets out the importance of gaining expert input at the
design stage.

James
added: “In line with this rise in popularity of podium decks, we produced this
guidance document to help architects and construction professionals make
informed choices in the waterproofing of such structures.

“Like
all other waterproofing related failures, these problems can become costly to
remedy when they are buried underneath complex fitments, expensive finishes and
working or leisure surfaces.

“Often,
members of the PCA are called in to put forward solutions to remedy the works,
but we produced the guide to explain the importance of considering all
waterproofing elements in the first place – at the design stage – and not as an
afterthought when a problem arises.�