Stefan Nespoli Project Manager, Shareholder Edison Engineers Inc.
Josh Hanek Project Manager Edison Engineers Inc.
Maintenance & Repairs
Understanding Underground Parking Garages Parking garages are not sexy. Nobody is walking up to your condo and saying “The building looks tired and run-down – but just look at that gorgeous underground parking garage! I can’t wait to move in!” Listen, we get it. All too often we find Corporations looking to defer major parking garage repairs in favour of, say, a lobby renovation. But your parking garage is not a building component to simply put off until repairs are absolutely necessary. Understanding your underground parking garage and its components, and planning for condition assessments, testing, and periodic repairs are all key steps to a successful garage asset management strategy. Let’s get to know your garage, what to look for and test for, and how you can build an informed strategy that will serve your Corporation for years to come. More Than Just a Place to Park Your Car To identify the sources of potential concealed deterioration in a parking garage, it is important to understand the differ-
ent components that make up a garage. Typical underground, multi-level parking structures will often contain the following key structural and water management components that require repair:
Elastomeric Waterproofing: A thin, cold-applied, water-resistive system applied to the exposed concrete slab surface. Fine aggregate is often embedded in the membrane to add slip resistance.
Slab-on-grade: A concrete slab that serves as the lowest level of the structure that set directly on the ground (i.e. there is no occupied space below). These slabs are typically reinforced with welded wire mesh (not rebar) and do not have any waterproofing.
Roof Deck: Sometimes called a Roof Slab, this is the top suspended slab, typically exposed to the elements and protected with a waterproofing membrane as well as various overburden finishes like asphalt paving, landscaping, concrete curbs, and walkways.
Suspended slab: A concrete slab with embedded reinforcing steel bars above the ground level that has occupied/accessible space below. These slabs are typically covered with a waterproofing membrane (e.g. mastic, elastomeric, etc.) to protect the concrete, reinforcing steel, and the space below from water and contaminant infiltration.
Columns & Beams: Additional reinforced concrete structural elements necessary to for load transfer from you and your car to the foundations and footings below.
Mastic Waterproofing: A hot-applied, water-based, modified asphalt waterresistive barrier; typically 20-30mm in thickness.
Drains: Drains should be strategically placed at low points to remove any potential for ponding water and withstand the volume of water the garage slabs may experience. Expansion Joints: Flexible, water-tight joints installed to accommodate thermal CONDOVOICE WINTER 2020
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ILLUSTRATION BY HAYDEN MEYNARD
How to Build an Informed Parking Garage Strategy That Will Serve Your Corporation for Years to Come