Basements and Waterproofing

Euromac 2 has developed a special block for constructing retaining walls below ground. The M121 block has two 45mm leafs of EPS on the inner and outer faces of the block and a core thickness of 210mm the total block thickness is 300mm. When building belowground the same amount of insulation is not needed as for above ground as the soil backfill acts as an insulator significantly reducing heat loss through the walls.

The increased core thickness from the standard 160mm to 210mm allows for a greater mass of concrete within the structure making it far stronger and it also allow more steel reinforcement to be added but still allows the concrete to flow freely reducing the chance of voids or air pockets within the concrete core.

Owing to Euromac 2 robust construction we are able to vibrate the concrete during installation with a high frequency poker, this draws the air out of the concrete and compacts it thoroughly, resulting in a denser and stronger wall and ensures any waterproof admixtures will be effective.

Depending on the site conditions and other factors such as time scales and budget there are two main waterproofing options for a Euromac 2 basement.

Waterproofing
Denstone Construction are specialists in the waterproofing and tanking of both new and existing structures. We are accredited installers for Remmers UK a leading manufacturer of building products. We can tank basements retaining walls, balcony’s and floors.

We also use the latest concrete admixtures to waterproof Euromac 2 structures below ground. Xypex is a crystalline waterproofing agent which is added to the concrete during batching. The concrete is poured and vibrated to expel any air pockets and voids. A simple joint detail seals the concrete bonds between day joints. This method of waterproofing is extremely robust and cost effective, as it considerably reduces labour during installation.

In areas at risk to flooding a hydrophilic bar may be installed between the day joint of the concrete slab and wall. In the event of flooding the hydrophilic bar will swell and put the joint under pressure so that no water can penetrate the joint.

Waterproof Concrete for Euromac2 Basements
There are many types of waterproof concrete on the market Xypex has been used in conjunction with Euromac 2 on basements, retaining walls and even an underground house.

The main benefits of using Xypex admixtures are:

• Impervious to liquids
• Speed of installation
• Minimal labour costs
• Extremely robust
• No protection of building required during backfilling
• No over excavation of the site
• Protects the concrete against chemical attack
• Remains dormant within the concrete ready to react and seal any cracks up to 0.4mm

Xypex is a crystalline waterproofing agent which is added to the concrete during batching. The concrete is poured and vibrated to expel any air pockets and voids. A simple joint detail seals the concrete bonds between day joints.

Xypex can be used to provide a waterproof base/slab as well as for the wall construction and concrete roof or floor.

External Tanking Systems for Euromac 2 Basements
There are many tanking systems on the market today but few have been tested and are approved for use on ICF buildings. Remmers have put together a tanking solution especially for ICF buildings.

The main benefits of using Remmers Profi tight are:

• Impervious to liquids and gases
• Extremely robust
• Flexible and allows for movements over day joints
• Easily repaired
• Easy installation of service ducts through tanking
• Can be hand or machine applied
• Water based and environmentally friendly
• Resistant to 6m head of water pressure
• Compatible with & good adhesion to polystyrene substrates

Typically Remmers Profi tight is hand applied to the exterior walls of the basement and down onto the slab edge in one continuous layer.

The profi tight should be protected before backfilling by means of either polystyrene sheets adhered to the surface of the profi tight or various slip and drainage membranes.