John Newton Membranes Waterproofs Boathouse
John Newton Membranes proves that the Newton Waterproofing Membrane System can control the River Thames in Full Flood.
John Newton and Company’s Newton 500 System was installed by a Newton Specialist Basement Contractor, Stonehouse Property Care Ltd, into an old boathouse on the River Thames. The property originally had a wet dock but had been back filled many years ago and capped with a concrete floor. The client wished to use the ground floor for a bedroom, but during the last flood the water level had reached 500mm internally. Phil Hewitt Associates were called in as design consultants and Stonehouse Property Care confirmed that they would carry out the works and guarantee it.
Newton System 500 was used, with Newton 508 Mesh chosen for the walls, Newton 520 to the floor with a Newton Basedrain ring around the perimeter. Two Newton Titan Plus pump systems were used, which included a battery back-up system. Rather than holding water pressure back, it was accepted that the river would penetrate the structure and would be pumped out. The system is designed so that ingressing water is depressurised by the Basedrain and then moved around the Basedrain ring to the two Titan sump chambers. The chambers each had 40mm discharge lines exiting the structure just below the window sills where water could be pumped out. Both pump systems had non-return valves fitted so should the river rise over the level of the pipe the pumps would still be effective.
The System was installed in little over a week and tested it before and after the screed was laid. The major test happened in January 2003 when the River Thames rose against the property to a depth of over one metre. The waterproofing system coped with the water ingress as designed. At the height of the flooding all three pumps in each sump chamber were operational. The system was fully successful.
The client has gained a large internal living space - dry and functional. This project illustrates the importance of employing a NSBC contractor who understand the intricacies of waterproofing design and installation and can offer the end clients the most valued guarantees available.
For further information visit http://www.newton-membranes.co.uk
Or email info@newton-membranes.co.uk
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