Why Waterproof?
One of the most common building defects that our engineers come across day-to-day, are related to a lack of, or failure of waterproof membranes. You may be wondering, what exactly is a waterproof membrane and how do they help?

Well, as you may have thought, a waterproof membrane is something that is applied across the surface of the structure to prevent or lessen the effects that water may have on it. Why is it important to have an appropriate membrane though? The reasons are many, but the short answer is that water often leads to many difficult and expensive to fix problems within structures. Anything from the corrosion to the steel reinforcement in concrete, erosion, swelling of timber, to the delamination of materials and efflorescence.

One of the most common surfaces that these are applied to is concrete. Unlike what you may be thinking however, it is not only applied to areas that are at obvious risk of being affected by water, such as bathrooms and kitchens, but is usually applied universally. Other areas that are at particular risk include rooftops, balconies and basement areas.

There are a few different kinds of membranes, and its important to make sure that you apply the right one for the right job. Types of membranes, along with their general use include:

• Cementitious Waterproofing Method is very commonly used for wet areas such as toilets and bathrooms. It is a semi-flexible or rigid type of waterproofing and not exposed to weathering or sunlight. 
• Bituminous Coating Waterproofing Method is basically a coating of a flexible asphalt layer or in general practice we call it coal-tar.
• Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing Method is an expensive method and less used at site. It is very flexible membrane that is carefully applied to avoid peeling after some time. Used for roof /terrace and the areas that are exposed to weathering.

​If you are experiencing any leaking water, or an accumulation of efflorescence, get in touch with us today so we can help you build a better solution.

Shotcrete also known as “gunite” is a widely used speciality concrete or mortar. Unlike the commonly used concrete, shotcrete is projected rapidly onto a prepared surface through a nozzle, rather than cured in a mixer and poured out onto a surface. Depending on the size of the project and amount of concrete required, shotcrete can be applied to a surface either manually or with the use of a machine,using a wet-mix or dry-mix spraying. 
       
This solution is comprised of sand and gravel mixed with cement water. Supplemental fine material additives and chemical additives are then added to create the perfect consistency for the task required.
                 
 The use of shotcrete is beneficial for those within the construction industry as:

• It is strong and highly durable
• The material is well bonded and void free
• It is the perfect material to use for bigger projects thanks to its quick and widespread application.
• It can be used decoratively and has been used in such a way at popular theme parks. 

BellMont have experience with using shotcrete on number of projects which include the retaining wall rectification at Wardell Road,  Earlwood, and the croft at Musgrave Street Mosman to name a few . If you are looking to use this material on your building and require our expertise, remember... our help is only a click away!

​When it comes to the different parties that are present at a construction site, it is fairly obvious why contractors and managers are there. However, it isn’t always clear what role engineers play on site. While all projects require different tasks, the following is an example of the general roles undertaken by an engineer on site.
 
You may imagine an engineer as someone who spends most of their time in an office on a computer drawing up plans and writing reports, however,  this isn’t always the case during the construction process.
 
An engineers role on site begins with the initial inspection of the building which involves identifying issues, assessing the nature of them in relation to the buildings overall health and history and reporting back with solutions to be approved by the client.
 
Once these solutions have been approved, the engineer will supervise the work undertaken by the contractors from time to time to ensure that the job is carried out to specification, on schedule and within the budget. The engineer will also work to ensure that the plans on paper created prior meet the work that is being carried out. 

As the project continues the engineer will manage the project and can offer solutions for unforeseen issues should they arise. When all works have been finalised, the engineer will conduct an inspection and review of the building and ensure that the client is satisfied with the structural condition and aesthetic of the building.
 
Once the client confirms they are happy with the final product, the engineer will head back to the office to write their final reports and get stuck into the next exciting project!
 
Now that you know the role of an engineer on a construction site, why not go ahead and get in contact with us so we can work our magic and give you the healthy building you desire!