Delta Membrane Systems

In recent years flash floods and storm surges have resulted in severe damage to properties – both residential and commercial – resulting in significant sums of money and time being spent on remedial work. Delta Membranes has pioneered a method of reinstatement that dramatically reduces the disruptive time families or businesses must endure by eliminating the need for traditional drying with resultant cost saving to their insurers.

We all remember the misery being suffered by home owners who were forced to live in caravans on their drives for a year or more while the inside of their properties dried to a sufficient level before remedial work could start.

In recent cases it has been estimated that the dryer rental and running costs alone averaged £5,000 per dwelling – a burden on the insurance companies (which could result in increased premiums for us all). There is an alternative that will greatly reduce the expenditure and get the family out of temporary accommodation into their dwellings much sooner.

Amidst the clean-up operation which naturally follows such a catastrophe is the need to remove damaged finishes such as plasterwork, electrics and the occasional structural element. The contamination and water absorbed by the plaster is expected to be above the safe recommended level of 1% by weight, in the same way the brick moisture content would be in excess of its 3% safe level.

Experience has shown that the removal of all structure-borne moisture is unlikely to be achieved and, as a result, the new plaster may suffer adversely from any lingering moisture. Thus, new internal finishes are now predominantly of a sand/cement render, this being more tolerant to a degree of entrapped moisture.

Delta’s 20 years experience in the use of cavity membranes to create a waterproofed box within existing damp basements and cellars is now being employed to remediate flood damaged properties that suffer from dampness entrapped in the structure.

The PT cavity membrane can be fixed to a damp wall, and be ‘dot and dabbed’, and skimmed, in a fraction of the drying time demanded by traditional methods of remediation. The HDPE cavity membrane ensures air can circulate behind it, picking up residual moisture from the structure over the coming months without affecting the new finishes.

The same result can be achieved on the floors. Delta’s FM cavity membrane can be loose laid over wet concrete floors and have a new floating floor system installed directly onto it. The
3 mm air space created by the membrane again provides the physical separation for the new finishes and allows slow drying without significantly reducing head room. Water drains to a channel and is then pumped away from the building. As a result, the house can be returned to its rightful owners more swiftly with less disruption to the family and at a reduced accommodation cost to the insurers.

More usually associated with basement refurbishment, where penetrating damp may be a constant problem, these materials have already been used in a flood refurbishment project in Hull with great success.

Tel +44 (0)1992 523811

www.deltamembranes.com
info@deltamembranes.com