Sydney’s leading remedial waterproofing specialists u2014 diagnosing and fixing failing membranes, strata leaks, and structural water ingress across Greater Sydney.
Remedial waterproofing is the investigation, diagnosis, and repair of waterproofing systems that have already failed or are showing signs of imminent failure. Unlike new waterproofing installed during construction, remedial work must navigate an existing built environment u2014 existing tiles, finishes, structural elements, occupants, and often a complicated history of previous repair attempts that may have compounded the original problem.
nIn NSW, the demand for remedial waterproofing has grown significantly since the introduction of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBP Act). The DBP Act created new obligations for contractors and developers regarding defective building work, and many building owners u2014 particularly in strata schemes u2014 have pursued rectification of long-standing waterproofing defects that were previously ignored. Econyc works extensively in this space, providing both the technical waterproofing services and the compliance documentation that strata committees and building owners need to manage defect claims.
nYou need remedial waterproofing when:
nAfter years of remedial work across Greater Sydney, Econyc has a detailed picture of what fails, why it fails, and what the correct rectification looks like. The most common failure types we encounter:
nBalcony membrane failure is by far the most prevalent remedial issue in Sydney. The city’s high-density apartment stock u2014 much of it built in the 1980s to 2010s u2014 has a significant proportion of balconies with membranes that have reached end-of-life or were installed to a sub-standard thickness or coverage. Failed balcony membranes present as efflorescence, cracking tile grout, tile debonding, and water appearing on the ceiling of the unit or carpark below.
nShower membrane failure in both apartments and houses is the second most common category. We regularly find bathrooms where the original waterproofing was never applied to the correct specification u2014 either because an unlicensed person did the work, because the product was diluted or applied below minimum thickness, or because critical junctions (floor-wall, hob, threshold) were not adequately treated.
nConstruction joint failure in basements and carparks is a persistent issue in Sydney’s building stock. Construction joints between concrete pours are the most vulnerable point in any below-grade structure, and their sealants and waterstops have a finite service life. When they fail, groundwater under hydrostatic pressure finds its way through with minimal resistance.
nRoof waterproofing failure on flat commercial roofs and podium decks is a high-value remedial category. Bituminous membranes laid in the 1990s and early 2000s have largely exceeded their design life and require full replacement. We see many cases where patch repairs have been applied repeatedly without addressing the underlying drainage and substrate issues that accelerate membrane failure.
Remedial waterproofing done correctly is a methodical process, not a quick fix. Econyc’s remedial process:
nEconyc specifies top-tier products from Normet, Sika, and Tremco for all remedial waterproofing work. Product selection is driven by the substrate condition, the exposure environment, and the performance standard required u2014 not by cost or convenience.
nNormet u2014 for injection-based remedial treatments (active crack sealing, construction joint repair), we use Normet’s TamPur range. Normet TamPur 116 is a water-reactive polyurethane foam for active crack injection, while Normet TamPur 220 is used for larger void filling and curtain injection applications. Normet’s injection systems are used across major civil and infrastructure projects in Australia.
nSika u2014 for membrane systems in remedial balcony and wet area work, we use Sika’s proven product range including Sika TanDrain (flexible liquid-applied membrane for balconies), SikaTop 122 Plus (cementitious waterproofing for concrete substrates), and Sikaflex Pro-3 (polyurethane sealant for movement joints and penetrations). Sika’s products are backed by local technical support and carry full Australian technical data sheets.
nTremco u2014 for sealant systems, expansion joints, and liquid membrane applications, we use Tremco’s product range including Tremco TREMproof 60 (polyurethane liquid membrane), Tremco Dymonic 100 (high-movement polyurethane sealant), and Tremco Paraseal (below-grade bentonite membrane where applicable). Tremco’s products are used on hospitals, schools, and major commercial projects across Australia.
Econyc provides a 7-year workmanship warranty on remedial waterproofing work, including membrane replacement on balconies and wet areas. This warranty means that if the waterproofing system we install fails due to a defect in our application u2014 within seven years of completion u2014 we will return and rectify the issue at no cost.
nOur warranty is documented in writing at job completion and includes our NSW contractor licence number, the scope of work covered, the products used, and the contact details for warranty claims. The warranty is transferable on property sale u2014 important for vendors and strata bodies managing building records.
nWarranty scope for remedial work:
nIn addition to our workmanship warranty, all Sika, Tremco, and Normet products used carry manufacturer warranties that apply when installed by an approved applicator. Econyc maintains applicator status with all three manufacturers.
Econyc works extensively with strata managers, owners corporations, and building managers across Greater Sydney on complex remedial waterproofing projects in multi-unit buildings. We understand the specific requirements of strata remediation work: the need for detailed condition reports, clear scope documentation, staged works to minimise impact on occupants, and compliance certificates that satisfy both the owners corporation and any external certifier or engineer.
nOur strata remedial waterproofing services include:
nHow do I know if my waterproofing defect is covered by the Home Building Act?
nIn NSW, major defects in residential building work (including waterproofing) are covered by the Home Building Act 1989 for six years from completion of the work. Minor defects are covered for two years. If the defect is in a multi-residential building (class 2), the DBP Act 2020 may also create obligations for the original contractor. We recommend getting a written defect report from a licensed contractor u2014 which Econyc provides u2014 before pursuing any legal avenue.
Can remedial waterproofing be done while a building is occupied?
nYes u2014 and in most strata situations, it must be. We plan all remedial works around occupancy: notifying residents in advance, managing dust and noise, staging works across units or floors, and maintaining access to essential services throughout. For wet area works, we schedule tile removal and membrane application to allow the bathroom to be returned to service as quickly as possible.
Do I need to remove tiles for remedial waterproofing?
nIn most cases where the membrane itself has failed, yes u2014 tiles must be removed to access and replace the membrane. Injection-based repairs (without tile removal) are appropriate only where the membrane is intact but a specific joint or crack has failed. Applying a surface coating over failed waterproofing without addressing the membrane is not a compliant remediation approach.
Who is responsible for paying for remedial waterproofing in a strata building?
nThis depends on where the failure is. Waterproofing within the structural slab (common property) is typically the owners corporation’s responsibility. Waterproofing within the lot (shower recess, bathroom floor within the lot boundary) is typically the lot owner’s responsibility. Disputes over boundary are common and best resolved with an independent inspection report. Econyc’s inspection reports are written to clearly identify the failure location relative to the lot boundary.
How long does a remedial waterproofing project take?
nA single balcony remediation (tile removal, membrane replacement, retile) typically takes 5u201310 working days depending on the balcony size and tile pattern. A single shower remediation takes 3u20135 days. Multi-unit strata projects are programmed in consultation with the building manager u2014 large-scale balcony remediation programs across a building may be staged over several weeks or months.
Contact Econyc today for a free site inspection and fixed-price quote. Licensed, insured, and fully compliant with Australian waterproofing standards.