Damp earth retaining walls?

If you have a damp earth retaining wall i.e. that has earth banked up on the outside, it is probable that the mortar joints of the brickwork could have perished allowing damp or water penetration to the inside. 

Solution:

There are a number of ways of tackling this problem however, cost, final use of area and disruption including noise and dust nuisance all play a part. 

External: 

If it is impractical for membrane to be applied internally then we would strongly suggest that Newton Geodrain is applied externally.

In the first instance any earth abutting the structure would need to be excavated.

Newton Geodrain should be applied to the outside walls and a french drain incorporated at the bottom of the membrane.

Protection board should then be added to the outside face of the membrane (this will prevent damage to the membrane via stones or sharp objects in the backfill).

Prior to the backfilling an external profile strip should be added to the top of the membrane this is designed to prevent any rain penetration running between the original structure and our membrane. (see tech drawing no JN 108.)

Internal: 

If the internal wall is to be tackled then Newton System 500 should be used. This membrane can either be dry-lined or rendered. We would recommend that below ground, Newton Basedrain should be applied at the wall/floor junction.

If water penetration is severe a sealed system is required. Again Newton 508 or Newton 520 (a larger studded membrane capable of tackling a greater water flow) would be applied to the floor. As the membrane systems allow water into the building, unless natural drainage is evident, it would be critical that the water is removed, ideally via incorporating a sump chamber within the floor (always located at the lowest point) with a Newton Titan or Titan Plus pump system.

Newtons products used in the solution: 

Externally:
Newton Geodrain
Newton fixings
External Profile Strip

Internally:
Newton 508/Newton 520
Newton Basedrain (& Accessories)
Newton Nu-Seal plugs (red/white)
Newton Rope
Newton Tape
Newton Overtape (Corner Strip)
Titan Pump range