| | | | | | | | Hi $[UD:FIRST_NAME||]$
As we move into 2026, I'm pleased to report strong momentum across our projects. Two that particularly stand out are our recent works with Orams Marine at Wynyard Quarter - the Retail Development completed with our friends at Macrennie, and the existing carpark refurbishment where we're currently serving as main contractor. These projects highlight the opportunities and challenges in our current market.
The Orams Marine precinct represents everything we value: long-term client relationships, complex technical problem-solving, and a commitment to quality that extends well beyond minimum requirements. Working with the main contractor, Macrennie, we were able to deliver comprehensive waterproofing from substructure through to roof level, including Volclay bentonite membrane, gas vapour barrier systems, seismic joints, and facade sealant works. | | What made this project particularly rewarding was the complexity involved, such as multiple tanking membranes sequencing from the lift pit upward, coordinating with multiple trades, and adapting to design changes, all while maintaining strict quality standards through EFVM testing protocols. | | | | Currently, we're serving as main contractor for the existing carpark refurbishment, managing complete removal and replacement works with membrane waterproofing and new asphalt surfacing. Through careful phased delivery, we're maintaining customer access throughout this busy marine facility.
With over 50 years of troubleshooting and fixing roofing problems, we've seen firsthand what happens when QA isn't prioritised. We're noticing a concerning pattern where quality assurance is still being treated as optional rather than essential, despite adding only a fraction to waterproofing costs.
This month, we wanted to share some insights on why quality assurance in roofing goes beyond the legal minimum, and why it matters for everyone involved in a building project.
If you have any questions or would like a conversation about your next project, make sure to reach out to our team.
Sincerely, James Benington Director | | | | Comprehensive Tanking and Waterproofing Solution for Orams Marine Retail Development | | | |
The Orams Marine Retail Development represents the latest addition to the Orams Marine precinct at Wynyard Quarter - Auckland's premium marine services hub serving superyachts, powerboats, and launches since the 1980s. Working alongside main contractor Macrennie, we delivered the complete waterproofing package for this significant development.
This new facility required a comprehensive waterproofing solution across the complete building envelope, from substructure through to roof level. Our scope included volclay bentonite membrane installation, site-specific gas vapour barrier membrane for demanding ground conditions, seismic joint detailing to accommodate structural movement, sealant works to precast facade panels, and double layer torch-on membrane to roof gutters - all in a challenging below-ground environment with stringent groundwater exclusion requirements.
The project presented complex challenges including critical sequencing from the lift pit, managing membrane exposure risks across large areas, coordinating with multiple trades throughout construction, and adapting to design changes while maintaining programme commitments. Throughout, we implemented EFVM testing protocols to ensure quality before handing over to our partnered contractors.
Discover how we delivered this integrated waterproofing solution for Auckland's premier marine precinct. | | | | Why Quality Assurance in Roofing Goes Beyond the Legal Minimum | | | | Quality assurance typically adds about 2% on top of the standard waterproofing cost. When developing a new building, about 2-3% of the cost is related to waterproofing, yet 80% of construction issues either during or after construction are related to water ingress. Better quality assurance leads to better building work and less issues.
However, the construction industry is fixated on just passing the minimum 10-year legal liability requirements. There's a critical Quality Assurance difference between avoiding legal liability and actually delivering on a minimum 20-year product warranty and satisfying building owners' long-term expectations.
Recently, we've been noticing a concerning pattern. While the actual durability of roof membrane sheets could last for decades if installed correctly, 9 times out of 10, problems occur at membrane upstands and termination detailing. Think of walls, skylights, parapets and membrane penetrations such as service penetrations, scuppers, outlets and overflows.
Without proper quality assurance and testing, when something fails, you have no evidence to support your installation quality.
Find out more | | | | Orams Marine Carpark Refurbishment in Progress | | | | Serving as main contractor for this project, Sansom is currently delivering a comprehensive carpark refurbishment at Orams Marine's Beaumont Street facility. The works involve complete removal of deteriorated asphalt, installation of Equus roading membrane waterproofing, and application of fresh asphalt surfacing.
Executed in carefully planned stages, the project is maintaining customer access throughout, ensuring as little disruption as possible to this busy marine facility while delivering essential infrastructure upgrades.
Find out more | | | | | | | | Fort Street Concrete Repairs | This Fort Street project involved specialist concrete remediation to this Auckland CBD high-rise, with Sansom operating as the specialist applicator across the building elevations.
The scope represented a comprehensive facade repair package, featuring detailed concrete preparation, removal of deteriorated material, reinforcement protection, and specialist repair mortar application - all executed at height in the challenging CBD environment with strict safety protocols throughout.
Read more
| | | |
Did you know all works were completed from swing stages? Due to the building's location and height of the project, traditional scaffolding wasn't feasible. Our team operated from suspended swing stage systems, requiring specialised height safety training and precise coordination to deliver the concrete remediation works.
| | | | Multi-Level Residential Warm Roofs |
This Remuera residential project featured multi-level waterproofing across three distinct roof areas, requiring integration of different membrane systems: Nuraply 3PM torch-on to plywood deck substrates at Level 3 and Level 4, and Enertherm 70mm warm roof system to the main roof.
The complexity lay in coordinating these varied systems across multiple levels while maintaining waterproofing continuity, managing critical chase-cut flashing details to concrete parapets, and ensuring all membrane transitions were properly detailed and tested to EFVM standards before handover.
| | | | | | Use the buttons below to follow our social media channels and stay up to date with everything Sansom
| | | | | | | | | |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
