Underground Garage Drainage Trenches and Vapor Barriers
If your garage is underground, it’s important to properly waterproof the space. This will protect your vehicle and other property from water damage.
Moisture entering the garage can cause corrosion of reinforcing steel within the concrete and create rust-colored staining visible on the walls. It can also result in isolated areas of concrete flaking and spalling.
Drainage trench
Drainage trenches are important components of parking garage waterproofing systems because they provide a convenient way to remove water and prevent structural damage. They are typically used in areas where groundwater has bypassed the waterproofing membrane and found a pathway into the garage. This occurs most commonly in cracks, grouted tie back penetrations, and at cold joints in the concrete. The goal of a drainage system is to stop the migration of water into the garage and then to divert it to a disposal site.
Trench drains are typically made up of a channel and grate that are inserted into a trench that is dug out in the parking area. The channels can be made from polymer based materials such as hdpe or fiberglass, while the grates are typically made from stainless steel or other durable materials. In addition, some manufacturers offer a wide selection of grate color options to better match the surrounding surfaces.
Some trench drains are pre-cast in concrete, which can save a lot of time during installation. They are also usually made under controlled climate conditions, which helps with curing times and quality. If the parking area is on an incline, a trench drain can help eliminate standing water that could dirty your vehicle’s wheels. These drains can be used in a variety of applications including residential and commercial parking garages, as well as public parking areas.
Perforated drain pipe
If you want to drain your underground garage properly, use a perforated pipe. This type of pipe has small holes that disperse water evenly throughout its length and helps Underground garage drainage membrane prevent large pools of standing water from forming. It also eliminates mosquito breeding areas and moisture that seeps into foundations, causing structural damage.
Perforated drain pipe is made of plastic or metal and comes in different perforation sizes and patterns. These differences affect the ability of the pipe to drain water and the amount of debris that can pass through it. Perforated drain pipe is often more expensive than solid pipe, but it offers better drainage results and requires less maintenance.
Before you begin the project, make sure to get a permit and call 811 to stake out the utility lines before digging. Once you have done this, dig a trench that is twice the width of your pipe and at least 2-feet deep with a shovel. The trench should be sloped down at a rate of 1 inch per 10 feet. Line the trench with filter fabric.
Once the trench is lined, add a layer of washed, rounded gravel to a depth of 4 inches. This will keep soil from washing into the pipe and clogging it. Then, lay the drain pipe in the trench and cover it with a 6-inch layer of coarse sand.
Gravel
Gravel is a stone material that is used for various construction purposes. It is a form of rock that comes in different sizes, shapes and colors. It is often used as fill material, pipe bedding, and road base. It also has a number of other uses, including as a drainage layer.
Water leaks in the walls of a garage can be very problematic and can cause damage to vehicles, equipment and other items stored inside. In addition, they can create a slipping hazard for occupants. To avoid these problems, a waterproofing membrane must be applied to the structure’s walls. This will prevent leaks and protect the structural concrete slab below it.
This membrane should have good chemical resistance to gasoline, diesel fuel, oil, alcohol, de-icing salts, and other chemicals that can be found on a vehicle. It should also be flexible and offer crack-bridging capability. This will help to reduce the risk of corrosion and increase the lifespan of steel reinforcements.
When the waterproofing membrane is applied, a drain protection layer should be placed over it. This will prevent the formation of hydrostatic pressure and protect the waterproofing membrane from the impact of vehicle traffic. The membrane should be adhered to the structural concrete slab using tanking slurry or cementitious tanking. Typically, this consists of a combination of Portland cements, aggregates and chemical modifiers. It can be supplied pre-mixed or as a powder to be mixed with clean water.
Vapor barrier
Vapor barriers are used in building construction to prevent water vapor from reaching wall surfaces, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or roofs. Moisture from vapor movement can cause building materials to rot and grow mould. This can damage your home, and it can be costly to repair. The good news is that you can avoid this problem with the right waterproofing system.
If you’re constructing an underground garage, it’s important to waterproof it properly. The waterproofing system will protect the structure against leaking, which can damage the concrete walls and floor. In addition, it will also protect the membrane from the impact of rainwater runoff.
The most common waterproofing solution is to install a vapor barrier in the basement. A vapor barrier is a thin, plastic sheet that Geomat for construction is placed between the insulation and the gypsum board. The vapor barrier helps to stop the transfer of moisture into the walls of the garage.
It’s important to understand the difference between a vapor barrier and an air barrier. The distinction has to do with how the products function. The difference is that a vapor barrier controls moisture migration, while an air barrier stops air flow and allows vapor to diffuse through it. Air barriers can come in the form of house wrap, tightly sealed sheathing or insulated sheathing that slows vapor diffusion.