With rapid population growth, multi-storey buildings are going up in ever greater numbers. In a multi-storey building, the single most valued element of comfort and convenience is the lift. That is why lift pit waterproofing is so important in multi-storey buildings — and one of the problems we encounter most often.
A sound waterproofing job must take into account both the moving and the static zones of the lift pit. Once construction is complete, the concrete settles over time and cracks develop inside and outside the building. The most dangerous of these are the cracks that form in the lift pit. Because lift pits extend below ground level, there is a real risk of groundwater collecting there.
Left unchecked, this damages not only the concrete elements of the lift shaft but, in time, its metal and steel components as well.
Signs of Water in the Lift Pit
- The lift breaking down frequently
- A smell of damp and moisture coming from the lift pit
- Water pooling at the base of the pit
- Rust on metal components and cable trays
If your lift keeps breaking down and the lift pit has started taking in water, you should have the waterproofing carried out by a professional team without delay. What is at stake here, above all, is people's health.
How Is a Lift Pit Waterproofed?
If the waterproofing installed during construction was inadequate, the pit will begin to take in water over time. A smell of damp coming from the lift pit is an important warning sign. At this point, the following steps should be taken:
- Cleaning: The pit is first cleaned out and dried.
- Stopping active leaks: Water entering through cracks is stopped by injection.
- Crystalline coating: A negative-side crystalline waterproofing material is applied to the main concrete surface.
- Polyurethane injection: Both active leaks and leaks from the water source are sealed permanently.
- Submersible pump sump: As a safeguard against water ingress, a sump with a submersible pump should always be provided beneath the lift.
For more detail, see our lift pit waterproofing service page.
Conclusion
For most people, choosing and buying a home is the result of years of hard work and financial sacrifice. Living in comfort and enjoying that home is everyone's dream. Taking precautions like these before suffering major financial and emotional losses is the way to protect your quality of life. Fill in the building information form to arrange lift pit waterproofing with our specialist team.