A Mapei waterproofing membrane & watertight concrete system has been designed by Lainton Services, Stockport as part of a sympathetic conversion of a former medical Centre in Altrincham, Cheshire. Following relocation of the centre, the character building has been transformed into new homes. The Mapei system was installed within basement areas, by Lainton Services, with components supplied by Kestral Construction Products.

The historic town-centre building is located in a conservation area, on the same site as the Grade II listed Church of St John the Evangelist which has also been converted. Dating back to the 1800’s, the building was originally used as a school, before being converted into a medical centre in the 1980’s. The sensitive £4m redevelopment provides five high-end 3 and 4 bedroom homes, with basements and private gardens.

Two Mapei pre & post applied HDPE (High Density Polyethylene Geomembrane) waterproof membranes were used to protect the underground structure of the building: Mapeproof AL AP was applied before concrete was poured and Mapeproof AL 1200 AP was applied afterwards. The robust membranes are highly resistant to puncturing, tearing, natural elements and UV rays, and they provide a barrier against groundwater, soil moisture, radon and methane gas. On contact with concrete, the system forms a permanent, tough bond.

The system also included Mapei’s watertight concrete admixture Idrocrete KR 1000: a powder admixture made from special hydrophilic components that reduces the permeability of hardened concrete which was supplied by Cemex – along with Mapeproof Liquid Membrane: a two-component polyurethane elastomeric, thixotropic, liquid waterproofing membrane.

For more information about Mapei systems and applications, please contact: info@mapei.co.uk or visit www.mapei.co.uk