The old factory had four different floor levels within the basement, linking these and the three new entrances to the basement were the hardest challenge.

Each flat had to be treated as a separate entity for guarantee purposes, so this coupled with the constant change in levels made for a challenging design and installation of the waterproofing system

Space being created for two self-contained student apartmentsWalls adjusted, scraped and cleared of all debrisSmall rooms with arched ceiling to be included with conversionChannel created and the wall/floor junctionLarge factory in central Leicester being renovatedExternal walls lined with cavity membraneChanges in level required different heights of membranesChanges in levelsBrick arches lined with cavity membraneFloor lined with membrane throughoutUneven floors made waterproofing a challenge in some placesNew doorways createdAll joints sealed and tapedPipework for pumps run under concrete floor and up the walls to a suitable discharge pointWalls and floor joined with taped sealsInternal walls linked to membranes with chemical damp proof courseManhole covers in the floor sealed as part of the waterproofing regimeInternal and external walls lapped and linked with a chemical DPCFlooring covered with tougher & thicker membrane than the wallsChannel installed at the the wall & floor junctionNew windows and doors incorporated into the waterproofingFlushing points installed for maintenanceExternal walls and floor lined with cavity membranesPipe work for pumps running across the ceilingChange in levels between rooms meant different height membranesExposed brick work retained in hallwayFloor membrane under large central staircaseChanges in levels created challenges in waterproofing designFlushing points installed to allow maintenanceDiffering heights in membranes at the changes in levelChanges in levels with all membranes taped and sealedInternal doorways waterproofredDoorway threshold detailEntrances to both apartments waterproofedChanges in level throughout the old factory floorCommon landing fro two apartments waterproofedWalls and floor cleaned before waterproofing worksChannel at the wall/floor junction created throughoutNew doorways created to allow for conversion to apartmentsLocalised changes in level removed and concretedAll cables & pipes removed from the wallsNew external door wayDrainage for external staircase incorporated into basement waterproofingManhole leading to existing sewersNew ground floor installed in old factory, all joists isolated from dampNew internal door wayExisting services re-routed or removed from the wallsConcrete floor repaired locallySupporting walls removed after new ground floor installedChannel created around perimeter of basementConcrete floor repaired and doorways createdStreet level windows opened up and included in waterproofing programNew timber floor seperated from damp walls with DPCSome walls in old factory rebuiltNew external windows and doors for the apartmentsLarge windows created for natural lightNew internal doorways opened and brick work repaired locallyConcrete floor repaired locallyHigh ceilings give the basement a very large feelNew windows and doorways to allow emergency escapeChannel created around all external wallsNew internal doorwaysNew internal doorways between old factory rooms create two student apartmentsSpace cleaned priory to waterproofing worksCables being re-routed to avoid running along the wallsLarge open plan spaces for new student apartmentsCables being movedWalls partially rebuiltSmall courtyard to be includedAll services run through ceilings

Project Details

Beautiful Basements won the tender to waterproof the basement of the old “Gem Sox” factory in the centre of Leicester. The development created twenty-five self-contained student flats.

In partnership with Triton Systems, a waterproofing design was agreed upon and installed.

Once all the structural works had been carried out, Beautiful Basements began installing a sump in each of the two flats and perimeter drainage around all walls to carry water from the membranes applied to the walls and floor into the sump.

Categories:
Client: RG Carter Peterborough Ltd
Location: Leicester
Surface Area: 300 square metres
Completed: 2013
Architect: Willmore Iles Architects