St James Place
This summer, Structural Renovations had the pleasure of working with our long-time partner, Millane Contract Services, on a significant waterproofing project at 26 St James Place, a Grade II* listed residential building located in one of London’s most prestigious areas. Overlooking Green Park and adjacent to the renowned Spencer House, this property holds rich historical value. Designed by Denys Lasden and Partners, the main building replaced a structure originally built in 1692, which was tragically destroyed during World War II.
The Challenge: Restoring the Basement Vaults
Our task was to provide extensive waterproofing to five basement vaults within the building. Upon inspection, we found the existing waterproofing system on the walls and soffits had failed, as the waterproof render had debonded from the underlying brickwork.
We began by carefully removing the damaged render to expose the underlying brickwork, only to discover that large sections of the brickwork were saturated, crumbling, and structurally compromised. These damaged areas were then carefully rebuilt with new bricks to restore the integrity of the structure. In the process, we uncovered two redundant coal holes, which were also found to be leaking. These were promptly sealed and waterproofed as part of our scope of work.
High-Quality Waterproofing Solutions
For this sensitive project, we used an advanced waterproofing system provided by our trusted supplier, Flexcrete Technologies. The process involved several key steps:
Addressing Active Water Ingress: We began by using Flexcrete’s fast-setting waterproof repair mortar, Fastfill WP, to seal areas affected by active water ingress.
Internal Junctions & Fillets: Cementitious fillets were installed at all internal junctions to provide added durability.
Waterproofing Bandage & Coating: A waterproof bandage (Cemprotec 2000-S) was applied and embedded in a thin layer of Cementitious Coating 851 over the fillets, which helped to create a seamless and resilient waterproof layer.
Repairs to Non-Rebuilt Areas: Areas of the vaults that did not require brickwork rebuilding were repaired with Fastfill, a fast-setting repair mortar.
Reinstatement of Waterproof Render: The waterproof render was then reinstated using Monolevel RM, followed by an anti-carbonation coating, Monodex Ultra, to further protect against environmental wear.
Floor Waterproofing: Finally, the floor surfaces were treated with Cemprotec Levelling Coat, ensuring the entire basement envelope was effectively waterproofed.
Protecting Your Property from Water Damage
Do you have issues with damp or water ingress in your basement? Is your roof leaking, or are you experiencing water coming through cracks in your balcony? Whether it's a historic building or a modern home, our team is ready to assess your situation and provide tailored solutions.
If you’d like to explore your options or arrange a site meeting, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help!