The term Correx Sheets actually refers to a particular brand of protection board that became popular in the 1990’s the market is now populated with a number or suitable alternatives equal in quality.

One such alternative is Sigma GPS Protection Board. This board is a dense bituminous board design to absorb the toughest impacts and punctures that can be expected on site. The 2x1m 3mm sheet is ideal for laying over the top of newly installed membranes or it can be pinned vertically to protect external waterproofing from back-filling.

The type of damage that can be expected on sites often comes from one of two sources, either backfilling with gravel causing punctures or abrasion against a waterproofing system or damage from other trades after the waterproofing has been installed. Often foot traffic or even vehicle traffic can damage waterproofing membranes if they aren’t protected adequately.

The introduction of protection board also acts as a visual aid to other trades on site, letting them know that the material or installation under the board should be protected and any traffic should be avoided.

Protective boarding, colloquially known as Correx Board or Correx Sheets, are an important tool in preventing damage to waterproofing systems.

Application:

Vertical.  SIGMA GPS Protection Board should be located against the waterproofing membrane using strips of Sigma GPS Tape (double sided butyl tape – 15m x 100mm).  Joints should be sealed with Sigma GPS Lap Tape (50m x 100mm) to prevent ingress of sharp objects when backfilling.

Horizontal.   SIGMA GPS Protection Board should be positioned as desired and Joints should be sealed with Sigma GPS Lap Tape (50m x 100mm).

*Remember the Correx in Correx Sheets is a brand.

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Waterproofing should ideally be done during the initial construction of the home, and it needs to be done by a reputed company that is experienced in waterproofing, a good qualification to look out for is C.S.S.W (Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing.

Structural Waterproofing – Inspection before Service

Only professionals with complete knowledge of structural waterproofing should inspect a structure before any actual waterproofing work begins. The inspection lets the professional contractor assess the exact problem with the structure. Different structures require different waterproofing services and products.

The companies who first inspect the building, study the needs and requirements like the type of products needed to seal the cracks. They also tell you about the estimated cost. Hence, opt for the professional services that will inspect your property before waterproofing it.

Compare the Quotes of the Companies

Quotes for waterproofing both during and post-construction will vary from company to company . Online research or consulting different companies will let you know about the quotes and cheap deals. Browsing through the internet and surfing the company websites saves your time and gives you appropriate information about the expenses incurred as well as the fees charged. Comparing the quotes is one of the best ways to find good waterproofing deals.

You Should opt for Quality Services

Many individuals opt for services that offer cheap deals. Some companies compromise on quality to come up with deals that are cheaper than other waterproofing companies. It is recommended that the quality of these services should be checked as waterproofing services of inferior quality can damage the complete structure of the property.

By following the tips mentioned above, you can easily find the best company to deal with structural waterproofing.

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Poor surface drainage, ground water and a high water table are the most obvious causes of moisture build-up and leakage in a basement. This buildup is not good news for the basement because it can cause damage to your basement walls and floors causing all sorts of problems such as cracks, mildew damp, and in the most extreme cases shifting of the basement.

If you live in a property that is encountering issues with damp basement or cellar, then you already know how frustrating it is that you have space but cannot use it. To make matters worse, the damp can lead to health problems for you and your family.

The best way is to damp proof rooms is by using a Cavity Drain Membrane system, which will keep your new room dry for many years to come.

Where Is the Cavity Drain Membrane System Fitted?

The Cavity Drain Membrane is designed to be used in the cellar, basement or vault of your property. It is a studded membrane, high-density Polyethylene which is installed to all the walls, floors and if necessary, the ceilings of the room or rooms to be converted.

How does a Cavity Drain Membrane system work?

Cavity drain membrane system helps prevent basement dampness by allowing the water to penetrate the structure before diverting it away. This works by trapping any ingress of water in the air gap between the walls of the basement and the dimpled membrane. The water is then directed to a pump or another draining point

Keeping the cellar free of water and dampness involves the right waterproofing system that works effectively. With Cavity Drain Membranes, it is very effective to keep the cellar in good condition.

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You can always try to repair the damage by yourself if you have the knowledge and skills. However, if the damage is significant, then you may need professional help to get it repaired. Before selecting a service provider, you need to consider some of the aspects below.

Good Reputation for Concrete Repair Services

You will know if the company is performing well when you ask for some of the feedback from their previous clients. You can even ask suggestions from your friends and relatives. It is best to choose a company which has an official website so that you can easily browse through their services as well as the price range for various service. You can also read reviews from their past clients.

Number of Years in Concrete Repair Services

A fully established concrete repair company should be in the business for many years already. If they are already well established, then we can reasonably assume that they already know how to handle most remedial work and concrete defects. An experienced company will, in most scenarios, be a better bet than a new company.

Complimentary Services offered

Some companies may not only provide concrete repairs, but they may also offer other services such as waterproofing, reinforcement and protection of all types of structural parts of the property. They may also offer you improvement services for your driveway or other grounds and perhaps the restoration of your patio as well.

When you are going in for concrete repair through a professional service provider, it will most likely be a significant repair job. Hence you may want to take this opportunity to look at other aspects of your home that may need improvement. So, if you get a service provider who offers additional services, it may be a good idea to consider them for any other home improvement projects you need.

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Also, installing gas membrane on buildings is fast becoming necessary in the construction sector due to increased development on “brownfield land” which is more susceptible to releasing harmful ground gas.

Professional companies can provide gas membrane installation solutions for domestic and commercial properties and projects with a wide range of solutions suitable for homes, industrial properties, retail units, underground carparks and more.

When Does Your Property Need a Gas Membrane Installation?

Dangerous gases can infiltrate any property and build up to hazardous levels in areas like cellars and basements that are poorly ventilated. This buildup of gas is very dangerous for any inhabitants of the property. For instance, methane is potentially explosive, carbon dioxide is an asphyxiating gas and prolonged exposure to radon has been linked to lung cancer.

Ground gas can be drawn into a building by the difference in pressure between the inner and outer of the building (the indoor warm air is less dense than the outdoor cold air). These ground gases can gain entrance into your property through:

• Openings in hard floors
• Construction joints
• Openings in walls
• Cracks in suspended timber or concrete floor
• Space around pipes
• Hollows in walls
• Ground and vent pipe

If ground gas has been identified in your property, or you are unsure whether your property is affected, then we recommend getting expert help. Professional surveyors can install a gas membrane into your basements and cellars, ensuring the safety of your property and keeping it habitable for the future.

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If you live in an area with a known radon problem and you are building a new home, you may want to consider radon-resistant construction. These preemptive measures prevent the radon from ever entering your home, stopping the problem before it begins!

Radon Membrane Installation

When properly installed and maintained, a residential radon membrane system can reduce toxicity levels by as much as 99 per cent. But the right radon reduction methods vary from property to property depending on each home’s construction.

Therefore, it’s so important to contact a professional radon mitigation contractor with the right tools and the required skills to design your abatement plan. Without the right skills and materials, your radon levels could increase along with other potential hazards and costs.

For homes with basements or raft slab foundations, the most common radon prevention method is sub-slab-depressurization. This method requires the contractor to drill a small hole in your basement’s floor. A suction pipe or pump is inserted into the floor slab to remove the radon out of the ground. This process allows all these gases to be dispersed to the outside of your property and gradually released into the air.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners throughout the country have cleared the air in their homes using radon membrane. If you suspect that your family is being exposed to this dangerous cancer-causing gas, it is time for you to act.

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Radon is found throughout the UK. You can’t see, smell or taste it. It comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon gets into any building, home, office or school and can build to high levels of concentration.

The home is the most likely place to get radon poisoning because that’s where you spend most of your time. Radon from the soil is the main cause of radon poisoning, but it can also enter the house through well water.

Testing and Radon Protection

The only way to find out if you and your family are at risk of radon poisoning is to have your home tested for radon. The Public Health England (PHE) strongly recommends that all homes should be tested, and some form of Radon protection put in place. Apartments and houses below the third floor should also be tested. It’s a very easy test that takes only a few minutes and is inexpensive to do. Millions of English homes have been tested for radon gas. Radon testing kits can be found online and in many hardware stores.

Contact your local council for more information about radon in your area. Radon problems may be more common in some areas than others, but any home can have a problem with radon gas. It’s a very good idea for home buyers and renters to ask about radon levels of the house before they buy or rent a home.

Most public water supplies do not have a radon problem, but if the air in your home has tested positive for radon gas and you have well water, you should have the water tested by a lab certified to measure radon in water.

There will always be some level of risk with Radon. Although one can lower the risk by sealing cracks in floors and walls. Simple systems of using fans can serve as Radon protection and also help in reducing radon gas when it is found in the home. After any major renovations, the house should be retested again to make sure the levels have not increased.

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Gas naturally exists in all environments and for the most part it is generated underground and dissipates into the air, causing no harmful effects to humans. However, some land may be contaminated by chemicals, CO2 and methane. Due to a need for new housing and the protection of existing greenbelt, these “Brownfield Sites” are increasingly being used for housing developments and subsequently require a gas barrier.

Why is the land contaminated?

Brownfield sites are spaces which have previously been used for industrial purposes, such as factories. The site may also have previously been used for landfill. In both cases natural occurring gases are found in a higher concentration due to spillage of chemicals or the breakdown of organic material.

What are the benefits of building on a brownfield site?

Brownfield Sites are pieces of land that have had a previous function. Often found in urban spaces the repurposing of the sites rejuvenates eyesores and also prevents rural spaces from becoming over developed. The government reports that the UK needs to build 300,000 homes a year to meet demand, but has only achieved a number of 180,000 per annum. The identification of 2,600 brownfield sites which could be redeveloped- is potentially the answer to the problem.

What problems can a high concentration of gas cause?

Without the correct gas barrier, these harmful gases will seep into buildings via cracks in the walls, cavities and from underground, having a detrimental effect on the health of the inhabitants.  Health issues include dizziness, vomiting, breathlessness and in the worst cases, cancer.  High concentrations of methane are also responsible for explosions.

How does a gas barrier work?

A gas barrier is laid either under or over the ground bearing slab to create a blockade to any ground gases present. I certain situations venting systems are installed to allow any build up of gas to be vented away from the property. Different gas barriers can protect from different gases including; CO2, methane & radon.

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As the requirement for new homes continues, the development of “brownfield sites” increases. So what is a brownfield site and why does your new home need gas protection.

The historical industrial activity in the UK has led to many contaminated vacant spaces. Derelict factories or abandoned coal fields are left contaminated with hydrocarbon spillages, solvents and ground gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. However with the correct Gas Protection, these spaces can be used to build on.

What gases or contaminants are causing the problem?

Hydrocarbons –  Often found in disused petrol stations as a left over residue from fuel.

Methane – An odourless but flammable gas. Methane is formed by the decomposing of organic matter.

Carbon Dioxide- Produced by burning fossil fuels and a result of human metabolism, high levels of carbon dioxide can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue and difficulties with breathing.

Radon- A naturally occurring gas which is toxic when confined within four walls. Radon can cause many health issues including persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and in some cases, cancer.

What happens if homes are not properly protected?

Brownfield Sites have been used for housing dating back to the late 1970s but by the mid 1980s, problems started to arise. Tenants of these sites complained of feeling dizzy and sick and in some extreme cases housing developments were abandoned. These high profile cases pushed authorities to address issues with ground gas and indeed, the need for Gas Protection.

Why do governments allow building on potentially contaminated ground?

The government encourage developers to choose brownfield sites in order to address the growth in population and the need for housing. The strategy is also fundamental for protecting Britain’s green spaces against future development.

How does Gas Protection work?

The objective of Gas Protection products is to prevent harmful gases and toxins from entering an inhabited space. Every site will have different requirements for gas protection and the solution is unique for that particular site. A site will be rated by a professional which illustrates the level of threat to humans and subsequently the recommended action to take.

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Radon is a naturally occurring gas which is harmless in the great outdoors. However radon is recognised as a cancer causing gas when it is confined inside a property. Radon gas enters the property via cracks in floors or pipes and over time, accumulates to toxic levels. A Radon Barrier is designed to prevent the gas entering the property.

How does a Radon Barrier work?

A Radon Barrier is manufactured from polyethylene and polypropylene which creates an impermeable membrane which prevents radon from entering a property. The membrane is also effective in blocking water and carbon dioxide.

Does every property require a Radon Barrier?

There is only a legal requirement for Radon Barrier installation when a property is being built in an area with a high level of the gas.

Can Radon Barriers be fitted to older properties?

Unfortunately Radon Barriers cannot be retro-fitted to older properties that are built in areas with a high radon level. Properties that fall into this category will benefit from increased ventilation and a radon pump which will limit the levels.

How do I know if my home has a problem with Radon?

There are radon tests kits available if you are concerned about the levels of radon in your home. Testing takes place over a 3 month period as radon can vary widely from day to day and it is important to work out an average. It is always advisable to get your own property tested individually, as results can be very different from neighbouring houses.

The most affected areas in the UK include the South West and the Yorkshire Dales, however problem areas also include Milton Keynes, Nottingham, The Peak District and Aberdeenshire.

A Radon Barrier is the best way to prevent your home against developing high levels of toxic gas, giving you complete peace of mind.

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