Newton System 500 - Waterproofing System

A complete range of products incorporating NEWTON floor and wall membranes:- for waterproofing underground structures such as wet basements, damp cellars, flooded vaults, dripping railway arches, damp stations, turf roofs and many other problems that require a long lasting flexible damp and waterproof solution which is installed by our UK network of qualified installers to comply with BS8102.

For above ground projects see the Newlath 2000 membranes.

Above: an installation of Newton 508 membrane to walls and floor with a Newton Basedrain at the wall/floor junction, connections are sealed with Newton Overtape. A Newton Titan Sump and Pump is also installed later to remove excess water that may enter from behind the sealed membrane system into the drainage channel. The clear membrane helps with the location of fixings.

NEWTON SYSTEM 500 is designed and ideal for many applications:

• Renovating or extending existing homes - transform a wet basement to make a warm dry space suitable for a home office, an extra bathroom or extra storage space or maybe even for the basis of a perfect wine cellar - whatever you plans our specialists can help you turn that damp wet cellar space into a warm dry and valuable feature of your property.
• Basement construction in new build homes - with higher density housing and the increasing use of brownfield sites - provide habitable basements in new build projects thus enabling the maximum living space, potential and value from each home built.
• Stopping damp and wet unwanted contaminants - from entering your living space - an impermeable barrier to damp and wet that will last even where walls and floors are contaminated by salts, oils, mould or chemicals.
• In construction areas - laid above a 'green' slab can be finished with a moisture sensitive flooring system immediately after installation. SYSTEM 500 requires no wet trade involvement and is cleaner as a result
• In underground areas - subject to high-ground water levels and flooding i.e. basements, cellars, vaults, tunnels, underground passage ways
• In areas subject to vibration - where it is necessary to create dry surfaces, typically railway stations and tunnels.

NEWTON 508 installed for dry rendering with metal frame.

NEWTON 508 Mesh installed for direct rendering.

Note: advice on your project should always be sought from our technical department.

NEWTON SYSTEM 500 range:

Including the NEWTON SYSTEM 500 membranes:

In conjunction with:

• NEWTON GEODRAIN - a membrane often applied to the earth facing side of the earth retaining wall.
• NEWTON BASEDRAIN - an extruded drainage channel designed to be installed under the internal wall/floor junction.
• NEWTON BASEBOARD - an extruded trunking system for drainage that is sealed to the internal wall/floor junction.
• NEWTON TITAN - a range of sump pumps can be used to remove water out of harms way where natural drainage is not possible.

 For above ground projects see the Newlath 2000 membranes.

NEWTON SYSTEM 500 membranes and accessories:

1) Newton MultiPlug 2) Newton Waterseal Tape 3) Newton Overtape 4) Newton System 500

The main component of the system is a high density extruded membrane with a thickness of 0.6mm and a stud formation with a height of 8mm. The studs serve to hold the product away from the areas that are being treated allowing an air gap of 5.5 litres per m². Water vapor can therefore move unhindered in all directions and damp pressure equalization is achieved. So that in simple terms, the whole of the area being treated is taking the damp loading rather than just the weakest areas as is the case with conventional systems.

Preparation prior to installation of NEWTON 500 is minimal. There is no need to remove sound cement based renders or other failed bitumen type coatings. Compared to conventional cement and epoxy type systems which rely solely on their ability to bond to the substrate; which usually requires bush hammering, and or sand blasting. Both can be time consuming, destructive, and costly. NEWTON 500 relies on a physical fix and is not only more sympathetic to the structure but is also usually installed more quickly and cost effectively without any compromise on performance.

Where "fast track construction" application is important NEWTON 500 has the answers. The system can be fixed with speed and can be ready for decoration very soon after installation. The drying times associated with conventional cement based systems (6-12 months), are eliminated.

NEWTON GEODRAIN - external membrane for soil retaining walls:

In new basement construction or where it is feasible to remove high external ground levels, NEWTON GEODRAIN can be used to protect the building from dampness on the positive side of the structure. This completely removes the effects of the dampness on the walls. NEWTON GEODRAIN will allow the construction to dry out, and remain dry . Damp walls have a reduced insulation value, and if maximum heat retention is to be achieved, external application during construction is preferred.

NEWTON 520 - heavy duty CDM flooring:

NEWTON 520 is a heavy duty flooring membrane with a 20mm stud which gives an increased flow rate of up to 36,000 liters per hour under 1sq meter of membrane. It has the ability to withstand high loadings and is used in construction.

Further increases in "U" values can easily be achieved with the addition of insulation board between the NEWTON 520 membrane and the floor finish. A conventional screed finish of a minimum of 65mm or a specialist fast drying screed can be applied in the normal way to suit all requirements. Where new walls are to be constructed normal or high grade DPM should be used in the construction of the wall. This can be linked to the NEWTON 520 membrane during installation of the floor. 

Drainage channels would still be cut to the floor and NEWTON BASEDRAIN used. NEWTON 520 can be laid over a sloping substrate however we would still strongly recommend the use of basedrain. A collection sump and pump system such as the Newton Titan or Newton Titan Plus are still required.

NEWTON 520 is a floor cavity membrane, however if there is severe water ingress it can be fixed to the walls or vaulted soffits.

(Please also see drawings: JN112, JN114, JN116, JN117 on our CAD drawings page)

VAULTS, ARCHES, BASEMENTS - and soil retaining situations:

NEWTON SYSTEM 500 is ideal for cellars basements but also arches, tunnels and vaulted ceilings. Vaults can suffer from water ingress from above as well as lateral ingress from water pressure within the ground. In the diagram to the right, NEWTON 500 has been used to line the vaulted soffit and walls to divert water to the floor. All joints for where flanged junctions are located should be sealed together with NEWTON WATERSEAL TAPE. Where studded junctions meet, the NEWTON WATERSEAL ROPE should be applied. Where service pipes enter through walls to be treated a seal should be effected between the service and the System using either NEWTON WATERSEAL TAPE OR NEWTON WATERSEAL ROPE. Where old decayed pipes exist these may have to be cleaned down, and made compatible to the system by the use of either a bonding agent or an epoxy based paint. Water is then removed using a floor membrane with a drainage conduit such as NEWTON BASEDRAIN or NEWTON BASEBOARD in conjunction with a NEWTON TITAN or TITAN PLUS sump pump.

The fixing component used with the sealed system is usually the NEWTON WATERSEAL PLUG (red or white in colour) which is inserted into a pre-drilled 11 mm hole. This completely sealed plug has a dual role. It holds the sheet in position and the 6mm hole within the center of the plug also facilitates the fixing of battens so that there is absolutely no need to pierce the system for any reason. The product, its fixing, and sealing components are of contrasting colours to make identification during installation easy and to eradicate mistakes. Where plastering direct or dry lining with dabs is required the NEWTON 508 MESH membrane should be applied, which has a welded mesh on the face of the product to give the required key. NEWTON 520 (20mm stud) or NEWTON 508 (8mm Stud) membrane can be applied to floors.

Converting Vaulted Basements:

Under street vaults were originally constructed to store solid fuels in bygone days. With soaring property prices and with many large Victorian properties having already been converted into small flat units, many property owners and developers have seen the benefit of upgrading their previously unused space. Dry usable areas have now been created. Many such areas now exist as bathrooms, dry storage areas and play rooms etc. As many of these vaulted type basements extend under the street, they are usually subject to vibration from traffic etc. NEWTON SYSTEM 500 being flexible can easily cope with this situation. An average vaulted basement can be upgraded in a few days to a dry habitable space.

NEWTON SYSTEM 500 range applied by Newton's Qualified Installers:

Although NEWTON SYSTEM 500 is, by comparison easy to install, if must be recognized that correct diagnosis of the problem is essential so that NEWTON SYSTEM 500 can be tailored to the needs of the building, to give the best possible performance. It is therefore recommended that only competent specialist damp proofing contractors, who understand dampness and the associated problems, be employed to survey the site, and install the system thereby ensuring the best possible performance of the system. John Newton & Co Ltd have a nationwide network of Newton Registered installers who have received the necessary training, and are holders of the Company's Registered Contractors Certificate. Contact our office for details of your nearest registered installer.

Technical help and advice is always available in the form of both site and office visits as required. This free service is available to Architects, Surveyors and property owners as well as specialist contractors.