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Project Profile
DePaul University
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The Challenge:
Rose Paving Company was selected to assist DePaul University, the country’s largest Catholic university located in downtown Chicago, with concrete structural repairs to a 35,000 square-foot subterranean parking garage by installing a new waterproofing membrane.
Water can and will penetrate most materials used in construction, including concrete. It is relentless in finding weak points in the existing waterproofing and will, over time, cause leaks in most buildings. Unfortunately for this particular garage at DePaul, the original membrane was installed incorrectly when the structure was first constructed, approximately 10 years ago, thus permitting even more water to permeate the protective layer. Furthermore, rain water is not the only culprit. The roof of the underground garage serves as a grassy courtyard for the dormitories situated directly above. This courtyard is well maintained and watered frequently by landscapers. As a result of abundant water at the surface and a weakened membrane, structural damage to the concrete garage below gradually became evident.
Indeed, over time, water seepage caused rust to accumulate on walls and pipes throughout the garage as well as leaks that damaged cars and inconvenienced drivers who utilized the parking area. Addressing this problem was critical, not only to the structural integrity of the parking garage, but also in terms of scheduling repairs to minimize disruption to students, faculty, and visitors. DePaul needed a skilled and responsive parking lot maintenance contractor to engineer a plan for repairs that could be completed in stages, executed quickly, and performed according to specifications.
To remediate the situation, John Zaccari, Director of Facility Operations for DePaul, called on Rose Paving. In addition to our 15-year history working for DePaul, Rose Paving was also selected for our proven ability to offer custom solutions and outstanding quality control.
The Solution:
Rose Paving met with engineers and members of DePaul’s maintenance team to thoroughly inspect the site. Upon completion, it was clear that installing a new waterproofing membrane on the roof of the parking structure would require extensive labor, time, and cost. Due to budget constraints and scheduling restrictions, DePaul opted to complete the repairs in stages over an 8-year time period.
Repairs on the garage began in 2004 and reconvene in the summer when the majority of students are away, allowing just 6 weeks for completion of each phase. The scope of work requires removing sections of concrete sidewalks, curbs, planters, and ramps as well as clearing landscaping at ground level to reveal the roof and original waterproofing membrane of the subterranean garage. Once visible, the original membrane is removed and replaced with a new membrane system, components of which are manufactured by American Hydrotech, Inc. Monolithic Membrane 6125® was selected for its proven ability to self-heal cracks in a concrete substrate. In addition, the material is warranted by the manufacturer for 10 years. After the new membrane system is installed, the disrupted sections of concrete and landscaping are reconstructed.
When work is in progress, Rose Paving project managers carefully monitor crew members to ensure that repairs are handled swiftly and with precision. They also communicate closely with on-staff maintenance personnel as well as the university’s general contractor in order to keep the project on schedule according to a tight time frame. Work supervision is especially appreciated by John Zaccari who, in addition to managing all of DePaul’s building maintenance and operations, also handles student housing and billing. With such a diverse range of responsibilities, Zaccari has little time in excess to oversee the repairs of the garage. He reflects, “With the help of Rose Paving, this project operates seamlessly; I am grateful for their knowledge in terms of engineering and scheduling as well as their ability to work successfully with the other contractors involved in this multi-faceted project.”
Along with structural assistance, Rose Paving also performs concrete flatwork and parking lot repairs on an ongoing basis for the university.
The Results:
Rose Paving has completed over one-third of the repairs, all within budget and on schedule. Zaccari confirms, “I am extremely pleased that Rose Paving consistently produces high-quality results without ever running over budget or exceeding time limitations.” Sections that have undergone maintenance are functioning properly and the parking garage is safe for use. Furthermore, the common ground atop the parking garage remains in good condition during the school year so that it can be enjoyed by all. Barring any unforeseen budget cutbacks or weather-related delays, remaining repairs will be completed according to plan.
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