Understanding How Cavity Membrane Systems Protect Buildings
Cavity membrane systems are an innovative modern solution to the age-old danger of damp, which can lead to structural issues, health risks, and expensive repairs for property owners. This article tells you everything you need to know about what cavity wall systems are, how they work, and their advantages versus other damp solutions.
What Are Cavity Membrane Systems?
Cavity membranes are dimpled sheets made from durable, water-resistant materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene. In a cavity membrane system, these sheets are used to cover walls, floors, and ceilings in rooms that are at risk of moisture problems like rising damp. The membranes create a physical barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating a building’s internal surfaces, instead causing it to flow towards a drainage system.
How Is Traditional Waterproofing Different?
Traditional waterproofing methods also work by creating a barrier against moisture. However, materials like tanking slurry, bitumen coatings, and waterproof paints are applied evenly across dry surfaces to block moisture ingress, while cavity membranes are installed between damp wall structures and the interior surface, leaving an air gap to allow moisture to be drained away. This gap is the cavity which gives them their name, and it prevents moisture from penetrating insulation and finishes like wallpaper and plasterboard.
Advantages of Cavity Membrane Systems
The barrier created by traditional waterproofing methods can be compromised if the structure shifts over time. Movement can lead to cracks in the protective surface. However, because cavity membrane systems are not bonded to the wall structure, they can accommodate movement and remain effective. In addition to being more flexible, they are easy to install, able to work with many different materials, and reversible. They last a long time too, with a typical warranty guaranteeing 20 years or more.
Disadvantages to Consider
Although cavity membrane systems offer many advantages as a wall damp treatment, they come at an additional cost. Installation fees are typically higher than they are for simpler waterproofing treatments like bitumen coating. You may also lose a small amount of space in the room since you are adding a layer to the wall. Cavity membrane systems also rely heavily on good workmanship during installation and a well-maintained drainage system subsequently. Without these, they may not function properly.
One last important consideration is that cavity membrane systems only help manage moisture that spreads inside a property’s walls. This means they are effective against rising and penetrating damp, but they are not condensation solutions. Nor will they help if pipes are leaking inside your property.
What to Expect During Installation
The installation process is usually straightforward and fast. The surfaces must first be assessed and prepared, but this does not usually involve fully stripping them down. Once the membrane sheets have been measured and cut, they are fixed to the surface using plugs and anchors, and drainage channels leading to an outlet or sump pump will be installed. After that, an internal frame is erected and finishes are applied over the top.
Skilled workmanship is critical for a cavity membrane system to succeed, so be sure to work with reliable, qualified professionals for the best results. Call London Damp Proofing Ltd at 0208 226 6330 to speak to experts about preventing damp in your property today.