Lightwell Restoration – Brentwood, Essex

15 July 2021

Overview

Delta Registered Installers were employed to provide a maintainable waterproofing solution to a problematic lightwell.  The scope of the project was to facilitate a solution for water penetration and salt contamination without disturbing the existing garden patio or adding any additional pressure to the interior of the property.

Any below ground structure will require a robust waterproofing design. The same scenario applies to lightwells. In this project scenario, the basement lightwell walls are earth retaining and are subject to lateral penetration from ground water subject to weather conditions and water table levels.  The existing render finish, on inspection was very sandy in colour and failed to form a barrier or resistance to moisture and water.

An earth retaining wall is a structure designed and constructed to resist the lateral pressure of soil, where there is a desired change in ground elevation that exceeds the angle of repose of the soil. Whether you are building a new home or carrying out a renovation, natural light can be provided by simply including an architectural void or lightwell. Voids and lightwells are large open interior spaces that enable natural light to enter a property from outside.

Methodology 

After surveying the condition of the lightwell and adjoining property, the waterproofing contractor proposed a solution to modify the lightwell to mitigate any future problems without significantly affecting the structure or surroundings.

Delta’s PT membrane offers a fast and effective method for repairing and upgrading lightwells, whilst at the same time retaining the existing aesthetics of properties, making this approach particularly suited to repairs. Delta’s PT Membrane is a HDPE membrane which works as an impermeable damp proofing base for plaster or shotcrete (as a water control and drainage membrane). 

Due to the “air gap” technology, Delta PT creates an effective barrier to the transmission of moisture, humidity, water vapour and salts, whilst assisting drainage by directing any water ingress to suitable drainage points. Once the Delta PT was installed, the waterproofing contractor incorporated vertical expansion joints to prevent the render from cracking, whilst installing a horizontal stainless-steel stop bead base.  They further applied a two-coat sand/cement layer to provide a surface ready for painting.  

Results

The waterproofing contractor was praised for the quality and speed of their refurbishment and installation, which was completed in just 5 days and within budget. The owners of the property were delighted with the result and knowledge that their lightwell will remain fully protected against the long-term threat of water and salt ingress.

Download the case study PDF.