These nationwide Tesco projects aimed to treat the cleaners’ storerooms with a durable, seamless waterproofing solution to protect the stores from water damage. Each faced different difficulties, but aimed for the same outcome.

• Minimal to zero falls creating standing water
• Varying different types of substrates and wall structures
• Durability to cope with daily use
• An even and anti-slip finish to minimise Tesco employees’ slips and trips

A full rip-up of the existing tiles or floor coatings to the original substrates was required, with consideration for site-specific wall constructions, such as drywall or block-built walls, for fixing new timber sheets to the base of the waterproofing system. Falls were also to be incorporated to allow water to drain from the rooms.

To provide a robust and reliable waterproofing solution, the WestWood PMMA waterproofing system was chosen for its fast curing and a durable, seamless, anti-slip finish.

A full rip-up of all existing floor coatings or tiles takes place to expose the substrate. This is then mechanically abraded back to remove any contamination and undulations from the substrate surface.

18mm ply at 1 metre in height is then mechanically fixed to the walls, providing a good sound structure for waterproofing.

Wecryl 821 primer is applied to the floor, followed by Wecryl 176 primer, and ply upstands are installed.

Wecryl 846 is used around the perimeter of the floor, tapered to create a fall that moves the water to the drains, which are normally located centrally in the room. Once cured a fully reinforced coat of Wecryl 230 Thix is applied to the timber upstands and Wecryl 230 to the floor creating a durable waterproof membrane.

Wecryl 333 Self-Levelling Mortar is then applied across the floor, slightly thicker around the perimeter to aid drainage. Once this has been applied, Wecryl 488 is used for the finish coat on the upstands and Wecryl 420 for the floor to provide the anti-slip finish, as required.

Metal trims are then installed on the tops of the upstands and sealed to the existing wall behind to create a fully waterproofed room.

By installing new timber upstands, along with creating falls and using the WestWoods PMMA waterproofing system. This creates a fully seamless waterproofing solution that protects against further water damage to the substrate and walls, while also providing a safer workspace through the anti-slip finish.