Challenge

Those who live by the sea know that the beauty they enjoy in the summer months and on fine, still, clear days can be countered by the inclement, rough weather that might happen in the depths of winter. Anyone looking to build a property on a seaside plot of land has to take special care in the design of the property, in an effort to ‘future proof’ anything the elements might throw at it.

This is the case on one property built in the beautiful area of Burnham Overy Staithe in Norfolk. An existing structure was demolished to allow for this purpose-built dwelling that includes a boathouse on the ground floor. The area is at risk from flooding, and regularly floods during spring tides and winter storms.

Solution

The work was carried out by Anglia Property Preservation, a company that has a long association with Delta Membrane Systems.

The new structure features thick reinforced concrete external walls designed to stand up extreme weather, with a number of Delta products for damp-proofing and waterproofing.

Delta MS500 and Delta PT have been applied to the internal faces of the walls prior to plastering. The MS500 membrane was applied to all ground floor walls. The 8mm studs on the membrane create a drainage path for up to 135 litres/minute/metre of incoming water, far in excess of the likely demands.

Delta PT Lath was also selected for the project. This is a high-performance polyethylene meshed membrane that is extruded into a series of studs. The studs create a continuous air gap behind the waterproof membrane. On the face of the membrane, a welded mesh allows plasters and renders to bond efficiently to achieve dry and durable finishes. Delta PT-lath is watertight, resistant to high and low temperature extremes, chemically resistant. It can be used internally or externally on walls and vaults.

Special detailing around the window and door reveals was incorporated into the designs using the MS500 and Delta PT. These products can support plastering, rendering or a dry lining fixed by plaster dabs in many applications.

Delta MS20 was employed for the floors. This is an HDPE membrane with 20mm studs that has compressive strength rating of 150kN/m2, and high-capacity drainage. Delta MS20 is typically used in applications where extra drainage capacity is required, such as deeper structures or where a larger flow rate is likely making it ready to cope with anything the wind and tides might bring.

Delta Membrane Systems also supplied bespoke pumping systems. The systems have built-in resistance to the adverse effects that salt could bring.

Systems components

  • Delta MS500 Wall Membrane
  • Delta MS20 Floor Membrane
  • Delta PT Lath meshed wall membrane
  • Delta Dual V3 Sump Pump

Outcome

The result of this working collaboration is a seaside property that allows the owners to enjoy the pleasures that come from the view in good weather, without having to worry unduly about any negatives from anything happening in bad weather.

The products used in this scheme are more likely to be associated with refurbishment of basement areas, eliminating damp and bringing the rooms back to habitable conditions.

However, Delta Membrane Systems has been promoting the benefits of these products for flood protection and resilience for many years, as well as for the refurbishment of flood-damaged properties whether they be adjacent to the sea or rivers, or inland in low-lying areas where severe weather has caused damage.