Basement Drainage for Below Ground Structures

When waterproofing a below ground structure with a Type C cavity membrane system, a suitable basement drainage system is also required to safely remove ground water ingress which percolates the structure.

This drainage system is made up of four key components – a submersible pump, often referred to as a sump pump, basement drainage channels/modular drainage system, high level water alarm(s) and battery backup(s), larger projects may also require a control panel.

The first stage of a cavity drainage system install is to provide an accessible and maintainable drainage system.  Whether new build or retrofitting, the drainage system is always the first step.

Drainage can be the use of perimeter drainage channel or a modular drainage system or a combination of both which are used in conjunction with wall and floor membranes ensure any water ingress will flow to a suitable outlet or discharge point.

Modular drainage systems are only possible where the construction is new or there is a new structural slab being cast.

Perimeter drainage channel can be used for new construction and retrofitting projects.  Recesses for the perimeter drainage channel are created in the structural slab.  Contrary to new build scenarios, when retrofitting there may be limitations to alterations to the existing slab, to overcome this problem a 50mm sacrificial screed can be used to create the required rebates.

With multi-level basements, we take a slightly different approach.  Generally, with a new build multi-level basement, we tie the intermediate slab into the membrane for continuity of the waterproofing system, [Technical drawing 218-1(C)], as with all waterproofing projects, this is not always possible.  Where not possible we use an alternative approach, such as the 216 Detail [Technical drawing 216-1-(c)].

Both perimeter drainage channels and modular drainage will efficiently disperse any water ingress which percolates the structure to a sump chamber.  The sump chamber will collect and manage any water ingress which is collected in the cavity drainage system and then safely evacuate this to a suitable discharge point.  This is referred to as a sump pump system.  A sump pump system protects a property against flooding.

Once the basement drainage has been constructed, the next construction phase should be site preparation followed by the Type C membrane installation.

Integrity testing is the ‘holy grail’ and should always be undertaken prior to any finishes.  In all cases, flood testing of the waterproofing system is recommended. The practice of flood testing Type C installations with a significant amount of water flow is a critical step to ensuring that there are no defects to workmanship and that the waterproofing system is capable of controlling water ingress as designed.

High level water alarms, control panels and battery backups are a second line of defence for the basement drainage system, a high-level water alarm will notify the building occupants if the sump pump system has stopped working or are working at different parameters, whilst battery backups will maintain a power supply to the sump pumps in the event of a power outage.

As with any electrical equipment, basement sump pumps will require servicing and the entire drainage system will require regular maintenance to ensure it is working effectively.  Think of sump pumps as the beating heart of your basement, removing water ingress that could result in a flooded basement.

At Delta, we have been manufacturing waterproofing products for over 125 years. Our aim always is to give you the best possible customer experience.  We have a trusted, proven and dedicated support network.  Call us and you’ll get straight through to one of our highly qualified and helpful Technical Waterproofing Consultants.