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A new basement was dug beneath a four storey Victorian property in London and waterproofed with Isola Platon cavity drain membranes and Triton’s TT Vapour Membrane. Providing space for a home cinema, large bedroom suite and plant room, the property is being used as a showcase for similar projects by developers, Michael James Gallagher Projects Ltd.
R & D Management Ltd specified a Platon cavity drain membrane system to the walls with Aqua Channel drainage conduit around the perimeter discharging to sumps to the front and rear of the property. Cavity drain membranes work on the principle of allowing water to continue to penetrate the structure but control it in the air gap and divert it to a suitable drainage point. They do not allow pressure to build up against the internal construction and the air gap behind the membrane allows the structure to breathe. Once the membrane has been fitted, wall surfaces can be dry lined or plastered directly and floors can be screeded or a floating dry board system installed. The Platon system was installed by MGA Contracts Ltd. As an alternative to using a membrane to waterproof the floor, and to facilitate the installation of under floor heating, two coats of Triton’s liquid-applied TT Vapour Membrane were laid to the floor slab. Sand blinding of the surface provided a key for the subsequent levelling compounds before the installation of the heating system and the feature wood floor.