Lochmaddy Pier
Location:
Lochmaddy, Outer Hebrides
Country:
United Kingdom
Project Type:
Marine
Project Scale:
0 – 5,000 m²
Adding Life to Concrete – How MARKHAM delivered Lochmaddy Pier waterproofing using a hydrogel system for the Ferry Terminal Jetty in North Uist, Outer Hebrides.
OBJECTIVE
MARKHAM were tasked with providing a Lochmaddy Pier waterproofing and durability enhancement system for what is at least a 100 year old concrete jetty structure in North Uist. This was part of an overall refurbishment programme on the concrete structure of the jetty serving the Ferry Terminal.
SOLUTION
The MARKHAM system put forward to achieve these goals was the spray application of AQURON 2000. This retro spray application provides a waterproofing solution that penetrates up to 150mm into the concrete, providing a lasting protection to this critical piece of infrastructure.
RESULTS
As a VOC Free, Non-Hazardous, DWI Reg 21 approved product, suitable for use in locations used for the storage of potable water, AQURON 2000 was a very rapid and cost-effective solution for waterproofing the concrete structure, without any risk of contaminating the coastal environment or causing any potential damage to surrounding eco systems.
The application of AQURON 2000 is very “surface condition tolerant” and made it an ideal solution for application on this project given the very changeable nature of the weather in this location. AQURON products can be applied to damp concrete which, at the time of application (October 2023) the rainfall meant that the concrete was almost permanently wet.
As AQURON 2000 is a product that penetrates deep into the concrete matrix, there are no ongoing maintenance requirements or operation costs making this solution a very attractive proposition in terms of the ongoing maintenance costs of the jetty structure.
With this depth of penetration, the AQURON 2000 is present within the matrix of the concrete for the lifespan of the concrete, making it a maintenance free solution that won’t require any further applications.
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Project Details – Lochmaddy Pier | |
Description | Waterproofing and durability enhancement to an aged concrete jetty |
Area Treated | 375m2. |
Age of Structure | 100 years old (circa 1925) |
Requirements |
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Operation Downtime / Interruptions | All AQURON application works were carried out in a period of three hours or less on site, meaning that there was virtually no interruption to the construction program. This element of the project was left almost to the very last and as a result, ended up being done in fairly poor weather conditions. Despite this, the application works were successfully completed, making it hassle-free for the main contractor. |
Application Method | Medium Pressure Boom and Back-Pack Sprayers |
Proposed Further Works | No further works required. |
OHS Requirements |
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SUMMARY OF BENEFITS
The Lochmaddy Pier waterproofing project demonstrates how MARKHAM’s penetrating hydrogel technology is well suited to remote and exposed marine environments. With minimal on-site time, no disruption to the Ferry Terminal operation, and no ongoing maintenance requirements, AQURON 2000 delivered a practical and long-lasting solution for a structure that serves a critical role in the Outer Hebrides transport network.
Marine structures in exposed coastal locations like the Outer Hebrides face some of the harshest conditions in the UK. Tidal movement, salt spray, and persistent moisture create an aggressive environment for concrete. The Lochmaddy Pier waterproofing solution addresses these challenges at a structural level, with AQURON 2000 bonding permanently within the concrete matrix to resist moisture ingress and chloride penetration over the full lifespan of the structure.
