Bookworm wrote:


Could you define what you mean by a 'membrane system'?

The probs with a bonded membrane is that a high water drive can disbond
the membrane from a weak substrate as is normally found in previously
damp brickwork. Once it is disbonded water builds up behind and
disaster results.

Look at cementitious waterproof coatings which will allow the substrate
to breathe. There are several on the market. I sell one but am not
going to advertise. Most can withstand about 20 metre head of water and
can be, and in fact must be, applied to a damp substrate. They are
applied by brush,roller or airless spray. They do not look very pretty
but can be overclad, (do not pierce the coating for batten fixings).

There are Epoxy/Bitumen coatings available but a) They do not breathe
and are OK for rearside applications (positive water pressure) and b)
Bitumen smell seems to last forever. Same rule applies regarding
fixings.


I was thinking about something like this from Newton Membranes:

http://www.newton-membranes.co.uk/System500.htm

Basically from what I've read, these systems that control water flow
rather than holding it back are better, and seem to be simple to install.