Vaulted Basement Structural Waterproofing

Overview Delta’s Type C Waterproofing System has provided the perfect solution for a vaulted basement situated close to the city centre of Leeds, enabling the creation of an additional office and music studio. Delta Registered Installers, Premier Preservations, were approached to offer a waterproofing design and system to a basement, to ensure the vaults – located under the entire footprint of the property were protected from water ingress. The scope of the works included a full waterproofing system for the basement which was a mixture of vaulted ceilings of solid, lath and plaster with external walls partly below exterior ground and approximately 500mm thick. Basement design ideas are limitless. Planning is essential to achieving the right finish for the project. Premier Preservations undertook initial site inspections which included ground water assessment, drainage and associated risk assessments. Methodology Premier Preservation’s CSSW specialist waterproofing design team constructed a fully maintainable, Type C (Drained) Waterproofing System to provide a Grade 3 habitable environment which fully complies with the requirements set out within BS 8102:2009, Code of Practice for Protection of Below Ground Structures against Water from the Ground. The main contractor undertook groundworks under the supervision of a structural engineer with a new slab being cast. The new slab construction enabled Premier Preservation to incorporate chases and voids for the basement drainage system (the channel and sump pumps). Prior to the Type C System being installed, the new concrete was treated with an anti-lime inhibitor, with all construction joints and soffits, safeguarded with Koster Repair Mortar Plus in creating 40mm, 90° construction joints (curved fillets) in preparation for the Type C waterproofing system to ensure a smooth installation of the Type C System. The principles of a Delta Type C cavity drainage system are to allow moisture or running water to travel behind the membrane within a controlled drainage system. Any water ingress is collected and discharged via a suitable sump pump. To ensure the Type C system was fully maintainable, inspection ports were located at every major change of direction or 6-8 linear meters on a straight run. In addition to industry-standard, a high-level alarm and battery back-up were installed offering the owner complete peace of mind that water levels within the Type C System are being monitored and sump pumps are working efficiently and effectively.

For more information on Vaulted Basement Structural Waterproofing talk to Delta Membrane Systems Ltd - Basement waterproofing