Dampproofing

Awaab’s Law: How product innovation can help meet strict repair timeframes and keep costs down

Building Products Index Ltd November 26, 2025 Dampproofing, Render Leave a Comment

With the introduction of the first phase of Awaab’s Law introduced in October, and the Renters’ Rights Act due to come into force next year, landlords, local authorities, housing associations, and property maintenance teams are already starting to see a change to how they manage and respond to property repairs and hazards.

Awaab’s Law, for example, sets strict deadlines for repairs to be investigated and corrected, enforcing accountability for housing providers. Emergency hazards now need to be investigated within 24 hours, written summaries produced within 48 hours, and remedial action to take place within 7 days. Missing these deadlines could oblige housing providers to provide alternative accommodation, result in fines and lead to significant costs.

Pressure is on, therefore, to respond on time, but also to carry out effective, long-lasting repairs to avoid any future problem repeating itself. Maintenance teams are likely to be faced with higher callouts, or to expand their teams, so fixing a problem reliably will curb cost on labour and provide better availability of manpower.

Landlords, then, should become a lot more discerning with the products they choose for repairs. There is much innovation in construction manufacturing, and a product will be favoured if it is specifically designed, does the job quickly, to quality, and is long-lasting.

Take damp for example, a common issue in UK housing. Alongside mould, it is at the heart of the first phase of Awaab’s Law; a law named after Awaab Ishak, who tragically died from respiratory issues caused by prolonged exposure to black mould in his home, aged just 2 years old.

Some mould and damp issues require extensive processes and work to repair; others can be carried out with innovative products in the construction industry. Toupret, for example, has long been a leader in innovation in the fillers market, and offers both an Anti-Damp Treatment for blocking localised moisture, and an Anti-Damp Render.

Anti-Damp Render is a filler that is used to coat damp masonry, creating a breathable barrier whilst blocking water penetration, controlling damp. It is a powder product that, when mixed with water, gives the user 3-4 hours to apply before setting, meaning large surfaces can be skimmed in one day. It’s also ready to paint in 12-24 hours, so the job can be completed within 48 hours. This is just one example of where product innovation can lead to reduced time and cost to carry out an effective and long-lasting repair.

Breathable, waterproof barrier: Water sits on a layer of Anti-Damp Render [off-white coating]. A chamber of air sits below. The demonstration shows how forced air penetrates from the underside of the layer of Anti-Damp Render, showing as bubbles in the water above. The water does not penetrate through to the chamber below.

It is worth mentioning that all Toupret powder products, whether for interior or exterior filling or skimming, are moisture vapour permeable, allowing a degree of breathability, limiting the moisture that mould needs to survive. And products such as Quick Dry Filler can be used to fill to any depth and be painted in as little as 3 hours. Their Quick Fill product is a lightweight formula that can even be painted in 30 minutes! With innovations such as these, less time is spent on site, more jobs can be completed in a day, and their high quality assures no repeat work.

Delta Membranes – Every Penny Counts

Building Products Index Ltd February 29, 2016 Dampproofing 1 Comment

View the Delta Membrane entry on BPI

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Over recent years there has been increasing pressure on budgets, and cost-effective construction techniques have been the order of the day. The same goes for refurbishment projects, which is where Delta Membrane Systems offers a wide range of products that help with the damp proofing of internal walls, particularly in basement projects.
Too often, basements are left redundant or as ‘dumping grounds’, but the truth is that they can be functional, useful spaces that can enhance the emotional and monetary value to a home.
Delta Membrane Systems has long argued that using its package of products designed specifically for basement refurbishment will bring a basement back to a habitable condition, at a cost-effective price.
A typical product for walls is the Delta MS-500 which is made from high density polyethylene. While the membrane itself is just 0.6mm thick, it features 8mm studs on the wall-side and it is these studs that create the drainage channel – allowing up to 135 litres/minute/metre of incoming water to be drained – well in excess of the likely demands.
Incorporating 20mm studs, Delta MS20 is another membrane in the collection that offers impressive operational characteristics. These include a compressive strength rating of 150kN/m2, and high capacity drainage to easily cope with the worst of likely conditions. It can be used in applications where extra drainage capacity is required, such as deeper structures, or where a larger flow rate is likely.
Thanks to the membranes, all water entering the property drains down the wall into a channel that leads to a sump unit hidden below ground floor level. It is then pumped to a suitable drainage outlet which might be a soil vent pipe, or simply to an outside drain or soak-away.
Managing the damp ingress, rather than trying to prevent it altogether, is the sensible and economic option for basement refurbishment, and Delta Membrane Systems is a one-stop-shop for all the materials needed.
Delta Membrane Systems prides itself on the extensive collection of products it has on offer to overcome the problems of water ingress into a property – both existing and new-build. However, the service does not stop there as the company is happy to share its knowledge and offer technical advice wherever needed.

damp proofing delta membrane delta MS500 high capacity drainage high density polyethylene

Perinsul® HL – prevents thermal bridging at junctions of floors and walls

Building Products Index Ltd November 30, 2015 Dampproofing Leave a Comment

View the Foamglas entry on BPI

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Foamglas Perinsul® HL is a BBA certified high density block which eliminates structural thermal bridging and rising damp at the junction of a floor and wall. Made from cellular glass, it is the only insulation material that is totally impervious to any form of moisture. It has an A1 non-combustible fire classification according to EN 13501 and will not burn or give off toxic fumes.

Perinsul HL can be used with all common types of brick or block and, in addition to being dimensionally stable, has high compressive strength and is rot, insect, vermin, radon and acid resistant. It has a coefficient of linear expansion equivalent to steel and concrete and provides uniform thermal performance and load-bearing capacity without additional support elements. For the installer, it can be cut on site and assembled as smaller parts without structural loss and cannot be damaged by torch-applied membranes or contact with hot bitumen.

The manufacturing process uses 60% post-consumer recycled glass and carbon and will not support growth of mould, fungi or micro-organisms. The insulation is totally inorganic, contains no ozone depleting propellants, flame-resistance additives or VOCs and enjoys the benefit of Natureplus® certification.

Perinsul HD is just one of a range of Foamglas insulation materials offering lifetime performance which cover the whole building envelope.

A1 non combustible cellular glass Foamglas high density block perinsul HL rising damp structural thermal bridging

The Great Escape – Delta Membranes Basement Tanking Systems

Building Products Index Ltd May 25, 2015 Basement damp proofing, Dampproofing, DPC, Membranes, waterproofing Leave a Comment

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The Great Escape – Delta Membranes Basement Tanking Systems

When converting a basement into a home cinema with a military theme for the internal decor, the fact that there is an emergency tunnel attached leading to a World War II air raid shelter, and then out to the garden, only adds to the dramatic atmosphere.

That is exactly what specialist contractor Stuart Barr found itself dealing with at a property in Bedfordshire, and Delta Membrane Systems played a leading role in the story by supplying a wide range of materials and products.

In the original design, the door opening onto the tunnel was to be blocked, and the basement room tanked and refurbished ready for the cinema. However, it was then thought of as an asset to the overall ‘feel’ of what was trying to be achieved, so the tunnel and shelter became an integral part of the project.

The cast list of products supplied by Delta included MS500 – a studded damp proof membrane that can be used on walls, floors and vaulted ceilings. It can support a dry lining, screed or flooring in a wide range of situations.

Delta Membranes Tanking Systems

The membrane is placed dimple-side to the surface, and this allows any moisture to drain by gravity to a channel in the floor, which then runs to a sump and pump device to evacuate the water to the outside.

It is resistant to water and water vapour, and to salt transfer, as well as puncture, impact and loading. The membrane will not be damaged by normal foot traffic during installation, or while laying concrete or screed finish.

Taking a leading role in the project, Delta MS20 is a compression-resistant, durable dimpled sheet made from special high density polyethylene. As its name suggests, this heavy gauge version of Delta MS has deep 20mm studs, and is used where a larger flow rate is required.

Completing the list of membranes supplied by Delta, Delta-PT is a high performance polyethylene membrane which is extruded into a series of studs. These studs create a continuous air gap behind the waterproof membrane.

On the face of the membrane is a welded mesh that allows plasters and renders to bond efficiently to achieve dry and durable finishes.

Delta-PT is watertight, resistant to high a low temperature extremes, and is chemically resistant to acids, alkalis, oil and solvents.

Delta Tanking Systems Three sump and pump units have been installed at strategic points in the scheme. The Delta Dual V3 Sump Pump units are packaged pump stations designed to collect ground water via perimeter channels or 110mm pipes and/or clear openings to the top of the chamber.

Specifically designed for below ground applications, the pump stations feature chambers made from HDPE and able to withstand hydrostatic forces encountered in applications with high water tables.

Making a cameo appearance was Köster NB1 Slurry – a watertight mineral surface coating with crystallising agents. Waterproofing layers made from NB1 possess excellent pressure and abrasion resistance, and have been tested in accordance to the potable water guidelines.

At one time, a couple of canoes had been stored in the air raid shelter. There was so much water in the room when it was discovered, that the canoes were floating – which, if nothing else, proved their water tightness.

Delta Waterproofing Membranes

Not only have the canoes been moved, but so has the water. The expertise of personnel from waterproofing specialist Peter Cox, and the main contractor Stuart Barr, combined with the dependability of the Delta product range, has ensured that cinemagoers in a Bedfordshire basement will be able to enjoy the main feature in a dry, comfortable environment.