Water in a parkade gets worse, not better, on its own. Our engineers identify the source before specifying the repair, then deliver EGBC-sealed remediation scopes and tender-ready documents. Lower Mainland and Okanagan, BC-wide.
A suspended-slab or above-grade parkade deck carries vehicle traffic over occupied space below. The waterproofing membrane between deck and structure degrades over time from UV exposure, thermal cycling, and mechanical wear. When it fails, water follows every crack and joint directly into the concrete.
Underground parkades face groundwater pressure from every direction. Cracks in walls and floor slabs, failed construction joints, and inadequate drainage create paths for water even when the original waterproofing was installed correctly. Soil conditions and site drainage govern how much pressure the structure faces.
Water carries chlorides from de-icing salts into concrete. Once chlorides reach the reinforcing steel, they break down the passive oxide layer and corrosion begins. Corroding steel expands, cracking and spalling the surrounding concrete. Engineers need to assess how far the deterioration has progressed before specifying repair.
A parkade scope begins with understanding the problem, not prescribing materials.
How we work
An engineer learns the history: how long the water has been present, where it is showing up, what work has been attempted. Knowing the context before the site visit makes the inspection faster and more targeted.
Structural and building-science engineers walk the parkade together. They map ingress locations, assess membrane and joint condition, survey cracks, test concrete, and evaluate drainage. The problem gets documented before any repair is discussed.
Engineers specify the repair: membrane type and extent, crack injection methods, concrete removal and patch details, drainage corrections, or a combination. The specification is built around what the engineers found, not a catalogue default.
Final deliverables are EGBC-sealed and formatted for tender. The council or property manager can issue them to contractors directly. Engineers remain available for tender questions and can provide construction review once a contractor is selected.
Most firms send one engineer with a generalist scope. Parkade water ingress involves the structural slab, the waterproofing system, the drainage plane, and reinforcing steel all at once. We put a structural engineer and a building-science engineer on the same site visit so the diagnosis covers every layer and the repair specification holds up under contractor scrutiny.
Water in a parkade gets worse, not better, on its own.Diagnose the source before repairing
Councils often arrive with a contractor quote already in hand. The repair may be right or wrong depending on what was missed in the assessment. Engineers establish the cause before anyone touches the concrete.
Repairs address visible symptoms: a patch here, a sealant there. Water finds another path. The same area fails again. The council pays twice, sometimes three times, before an engineer is called to determine what was actually happening.
The cause is confirmed in writing. The repair specification covers the full extent of deterioration and addresses the mechanism, not just the symptoms. Contractors bid against a clear scope. The work has a sealed engineer behind it.
"The team at Strata Engineering have worked tirelessly on a number of projects I've assigned to them to deliver the best possible results. Their knowledge and professionalism have encouraged me to refer them to my peers and use them regularly."
"I have always trusted Strata Engineering to handle the engineering needs of my portfolio; everything from general questions to major projects. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants confident solutions to their needs."
"Strata Engineering has always gone above and beyond when I have engaged their services. They are both accommodating to client schedules and leave no question unanswered, leaving me and my strata with peace of mind."
If yours is not covered, ask us. An engineer will answer on the phone before anyone sends a proposal.
A preliminary investigation is the right first step. An engineer inspects the parkade to identify where the water is entering, whether from a failed traffic-deck membrane, cracked concrete, a drainage problem, or a combination. Diagnosing the source first means the repair scope is accurate and you are not paying to fix the wrong thing.
A traffic-deck membrane is a waterproofing layer applied to the surface of an above-grade or suspended-slab parkade deck. It protects the structural concrete beneath from water, de-icing salts, and chloride intrusion. Service life varies by membrane type, traffic loading, and maintenance history. An engineer can assess condition during an inspection and advise whether the membrane is repairable or due for replacement.
Not always. Crack injection is effective for dormant cracks where movement has stopped. Live cracks, where the underlying cause is ongoing, require a structural assessment before injection so the repair does not fail again. Our engineers determine crack type and cause before specifying the repair method.
Rust staining indicates reinforcing steel beneath the concrete is corroding. Once water and chlorides reach the rebar, corrosion expands the steel and eventually causes the surrounding concrete to crack and spall. An engineer needs to evaluate the extent of corrosion and affected concrete before a repair scope can be prepared. Left unaddressed, deterioration accelerates and repair costs increase.
Yes. Our remediation scope documents are written for tender. They include condition observations, the cause of the water ingress, a specified repair scope with materials and methods, and drawings where required. Every deliverable is EGBC-sealed by the engineer of record. Councils and property managers can use the documents to solicit contractor bids directly.
Yes. Our Kelowna office on Pandosy Street covers the Okanagan and interior BC. We also work throughout the Lower Mainland from our Burnaby head office. Travel to other parts of BC is scoped transparently on the proposal.
See the full service menu for existing strata properties: depreciation reports, envelope consulting, structural, parkade, balconies, electrical, energy, and more.
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Not sure where a deficiency starts or how serious it is? A preliminary investigation maps the problem before any repair scope is written.
Learn about investigations →
Envelope consulting covers the full exterior assembly: cladding, windows, balconies, and roofing, for buildings where water ingress is coming from above grade.
Envelope consulting →Start with a scoping call. An engineer learns the building, reviews any prior reports or contractor quotes, and returns a clear proposal for the investigation and scope of work.