Lights, camera, damaged floors? Is severe water damage raining on your parade? If so, you are not alone. Millions of property owners and managers are suffering from the effects of waterproofing gone wrong. Whether it is your ceiling, floor or deck, water intrusion damage can be ugly and costly to repeatedly repair. Assessing the causes of water intrusion and skillfully executing a solution can be an art in itself.

Nestled in the Cahuenga Pass in the hills of Hollywood, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre has a long-standing history. Originally built in 1920, the structure succumbed to a fire nine years later and reopened in 1931. Since then, the performing arts center has grown to establish a reputation that is one-of-a-kind. Home to an array of talent in music, dance and theatre as well as showcasing films and hosting family events, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre celebrates diversity in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Soon after it was reconstructed, the amphitheatre fell victim to severe water damage. “Waterproofing leaking created havoc, causing damage to offices, storage space and the bar area below the deck,” Bernards General Contracting Superintendent Donny Berry said. The damages of water intrusion resulted in a discolored, water-stained deck that was showing early signs of erosion and distracting from the natural beauty of the 1,200-seat, outdoor amphitheatre.

Bernards, a nationally ranked general contractor, entered the scene to assess the problem. Seeking a trusted subcontractor with acute problem-solving capabilities, Bernards called upon Mark Beamish Waterproofing (MBW). Shortly thereafter, MBW came to the rescue.

Historic restoration is part of MBW’s repertoire. Successfully executing jobs at Dodger Stadium and the century-old Natural History Museum, MBW’s crew of seasoned professionals unabashedly took on the deck-coating challenge at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

Using Siplast’s Terapro Waterproofing System, MBW field professionals implemented the following:

• Phase 1: The amphitheatre deck was prepared by stripping the old, damaged coat and exposing the raw surface for repair.
• Phase 2: Primer was applied to the stripped deck for adhesive purposes, followed by the Terapro Flashing System applied around penetrations, walls and curbs.
• Phase 3: The Terapro Waterproofing Layer was installed, creating a watertight seal.
• Phase 4: The final phase included the installation of a Pro Color and Pro Accent Chip furnish.

Operating on a tight schedule was one major challenge during this project — aside from the aggressive, manual labor and precision to detail the above phases required. Siplast Representative Michel Viton said, “The entire [MBW] crew was very receptive to [my] instructions, understood the time constraints and was not afraid to put in long hours to complete the project.”

MBW Supervisor Armando Ortiz was “great to work with and very responsive,” echoed Berry. “The entire team was in it to win it.”

After meeting with the L.A. County representatives and the theatre manager, Viton reported that all investors of the performing arts center “were very satisfied with the end result.”

The newly transformed, outdoor amphitheatre now effortlessly blends in with the beauty of its natural surroundings. The once discolored, stained and eroding deck now sparkles in the sun, is smoothed over to perfection, and most importantly, stands protected against future water-damage threats.

One week after the completion of the project, heavy rain hovered over Southern California with continuous downpour for two days. Berry said, “For the first time in a long time, there were no leaks!”

Mark Beamish Waterproofing was established in 1981 and has been in the business of exceptional customer service and top-quality work ever since. With more than 30 years of craftsmanship experience, MBW offers expert consultation, custom solutions and an extensive menu of services ranging from waterproofing to joint sealants to concrete polishing.