Below Ground Solutions

Why Should I use Newton Systems in my Below Ground Structure?

When waterproofing structures below the ground, many options are available to clients and specifiers. Traditionally, New Build waterproofing has been performed externally using a water pressure resisting “tanking” membrane. These need to be fitted perfectly without defects for the installation to be effective. The landmark judgement 'Outwing V Thomas Weatherald' found that it is not feasible to expect the workmanship to be 100% defect free, meaning that that these tanking methods should have the water completely removed to be considered safe, which in effect is downgrading the system to just a damp proofing medium.

Those still wishing to use this method of waterproofing should consider the consequences of large scale water removal from what could be a significant area: calculation of the volumes to be removed is difficult, and the potential for surcharges to the storm water drainage should be anticipated. The risk to adjacent structures of removal of soil fines from the ground should also be considered.

If not dissuaded by the above, the reality of working on a building site makes external tanking highly impractical in practise. Many “tanking” systems require the structure to be “dry” for an adequate bond to be achieved and for the site conditions to be clean and the site accessible. Tanking needs to be installed to all external surfaces, including under the new concrete raft. Often installed by low quality site labour, the membrane is laid before the placing of the concrete raft, meaning the membrane is being walked over during this process.

The concrete is then pokered to remove air pockets, and often the poker will pierce the membrane. Laps are left ready for lapping to the wall membrane which cannot be fitted as yet as the walls have not being constructed. This process, often carried out in wet and muddy conditions required form-work to be fabricated and the concrete to be poured with the workers treading on the membrane laps for what maybe a period of weeks.

After all this abuse, the laps are then expected to be adhered neatly and cleanly to the membrane now stuck to the wall. The chances of the laps being dry and undamaged enough to effect the seal is probably zero, and unfortunately, these defective joints are at the point where the water pressure is highest. It is not surprising that we at John Newton put right hundreds of failed systems of this type every year!

Newton System 500

Newton 500 System is the most advanced cavity drainage membrane system available within the UK today.  This system comprises a variety of high quality High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) membranes and associated drainage systems giving the specifier the safest method of new build waterproofing design.

“Newton 500 is the waterproofing professionals 'membrane of choice'”

Newton 500 HDPE membrane is the industry standard for all forms of vertical applications.  Applied internally and held in place with the unique Newton MultiPlug, Newton 500 membrane creates an 8mm air void within the structure so that water entering the structure is depressurised allowing it to fall to the Basedrain drainage channel sited at the wall/floor junction. The inline profile of the 8mm studded membrane allows for professional water-proofers to install the membrane to “level”  and the HDPE material allows the installer to easily and efficiently fold, and form the membrane around columns/footings. This is because the material has a memory and does not spring back into the original form.

New Build Basement Mayfield East Sussex - how do I waterproof this? Newbuild - Structural Waterproofing with Newton System 500.

Above – Newton 500 System applied internal face of Type B waterproof concrete structure Central London.

Newton 500 is the waterproofing professionals “membrane of choice”.  The thicker gauge and flexibility of material offer the installer a membrane that can take high industrial loads for commercial projects. In addition, the 2.4m x 20m roll is perfect for domestic situations where the membrane can usually be installed without the need for excessive jointing.

As the system is fitted internally, the installation is often carried out after the structure has been capped. This creates a habitat that the installer is happy to be in, rather than outside in the cold and wet, which is often he case with externally applied systems.

We appreciate all uses of our waterproofing systems, but would prefer them to be used as the initial waterproofing system rather than as the remedial waterproofing system after the first attempt has failed. As a designer or home owner, we suspect that you would prefer this also!

Newton 500 curtain hung to new RC concrete wall (no preparation required with minimal fittings) drainage medium Basedrain being installed to guide water away.

Above – Newton 500 System applied internal face of Type B waterproof concrete structure in Sevenoaks (NSBC installer- Cure of Ashford).

For Further examples of Newton System 500 at work in New-build environments click on the links below

Southampton Hotel – New Build Basement – Hampshire

The Lime Kiln House –Grand Designs – Midlothian, Scotland

Holland Park – Basement Waterproofing Project – London

DEFRA Government Department – Basement Waterproofing – Whitehall - London