Dimpled Membrane Block Foundation Wall

Fast Easy Installation, User Friendly

SUPERSEAL Dimpled Membrane is a long lasting black plastic membrane that is clean to work with. It is very flexible making it easy to bend around corners and can be cut with a utility knife. Unroll, Fasten, Backfill.

Bridges Cracks / Drainage Space

Setting and shifting of a block foundation can cause cracks or gaps in the foundation. SUPERSEAL can bridge over these and provides a 5/16 inch drainage space/airgap for the foundation wall. This allows any water that could enter the drainage space to fall by gravity into the exterior drain for removal.

Eliminates 100% of Hydrostatic Pressure

The main cause of leaks in a block wall foundation is hydrostatic pressure. SUPERSEAL removes all the hydrostatic/headwater pressure off the block wall as the membrane has a compressive strength of 5200 pounds per square foot. Putting all the pressure on the outside of the membrane.

Long-Lasting Basement Waterproofing Product

SUPERSEAL Dimple Membrane is chemical resistant and will not rot as it is made of high density polyethylene plastic. Some spray on or roll on coating can dissipate into the soil after only just a few years caused from the alkalines in the soils. SUPERSEAL is not affected by these environments and can outlast the life of the structure.

Rain or Shine, NO WAITING

SUPERSEAL starts working as soon as it is installed. There is no waiting as it does not need to cure or require a second coat. It can be done in any weather condition and backfilled the same day.

Environmentally Friendly

SUPERSEAL Dimpled Membrane does not emit any VOC’s. It doesn’t not affect the soil, creeks, streams or wildlife. Making it 100% environmentally friendly and safe.

Applications and Product Versatility

• Can be installed on any type of exterior foundation wall
• Can be installed on interior basement walls, including those with a french drain
• Can be installed under floor slabs
• Can be used in subfloor applications

Materials and tools may vary depending on your application for a Block Wall foundation.

SUPERSEAL DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS: Installation Instructions

EXTERIOR  APPLICATION:

The keys to a good installation:

• Install to final grade height.
• Incorporate into the drain system at the footing.
• Install the membrane prior to installing perforated pipe and the drainstone.
• Ensure you have enough membrane, plugs, and molding strips to complete the area that you are protecting.
• We often recommend you order both types of molding. (DimpleGrip Molding & Membrane Cap) if your job has level and sloping areas)
• Follow the Installation instructions.
• Addition coating(s) or a self-adhesive membrane on the wall is not required but provides additional protection. Consult with your local building official or inspector, as they determine what they will accept. This can vary from city to city.

 

PREPARATION

• Ensure the site is safe and accessible.
• Make sure that you have all the tools and material necessary to complete the job.
• Determine the roll heights required and measure the length required.
• Determine the final grade height and snap chalk lines. The product should not be exposed to UV for long periods of time.
• Clean the footing and wall and repair any imperfections.
• Use a suitable mastic or tar for patching joints, gaps, protrusions, imperfections, etc. This can be found in the roofing or foundation section at your local lumber yard or Hardware store. (It is recognized as foundation mastic, roof patch, and plastic cement). The most cost effective is tar based and black in color. It is available in 1 and 5 gallon pails. It is also available in tubes designed to fit a caulking gun. SUPERSEAL is chemical resistant and compatible with all these types of products.

 

There are 3 steps to the installation – Do not try to do all three steps as you go. It is much easier and quicker to do it in 3 stages

• Hanging / Plugging / Molding

1. HANGING THE MEMBRANE

It is best to have two people and to install the membrane. Once you have your wall prepped, start by holding the membrane at the chalk line with the dimples towards the wall and install a SuperPlug about 8-12 inches down from the top. Move down the wall approx. 8 -10 feet and install another SuperPlug. Continue this process until all the membrane is hanging on the wall. If you have extra material at the bottom. It is flexible enough to make a 90 degree bend where the wall meets the footing. The membrane can sit directly on top of the footing or extend out to the edge. If you are extending to the edge of the footing and come to an inside or outside corner, put a slice in the membrane at the bottom to allow the rest of the roll to wrap the corner without cutting the entire roll vertically. When hanging the membrane keep in mind that you don’t have to put all the plugs in now. You will do this on the next step.

OVERLAPS AND SEAMS

Vertical and horizontal overlaps are a minimum of 6 inches and a plug every 2’ vertically. It is good practice to run a bead of the mastic within the overlap but is not mandatory. Overlaps in sloping areas should be done by overlapping the higher piece over the lower piece. This will prevent migrating water to enter the seam. (just like a roof shingle).

ANGLES OR SLOPES

Angles can be done 2 ways:

1) by installing the membrane on the wall at the desired angle. If you do this, you can use the DimpleGrip Molding at the top, as you have not cut the top. The DimpleGrip fits the factory edges on the membrane.

2) by installing the membrane level on the wall and cutting the top to desired angle or slope. If you cut the top, you must use the Membrane Cap. The DimpleGrip won’t fit properly.

WINDOW WELLS

Windows are the # 1 cause of water penetration. Concrete cracks at the weakest point and that is almost always at the bottom of a window opening. If you have any windows that are lower than grade height and require a window well, cut and cap the membrane as close the bottom of the window as possible. Cut and cap the sides vertically so it will end up just inside the window well opening on each side. Vertical cuts should be made where there is a holding tab. (HINT: you can cap it later when you do the rest of the molding and capping)

After you have hung all the membrane, go back to where you started and start step 2 – plugging

PIPES AND PROTRUSIONS

Sometimes there is a pipe or a connection that protrudes through the wall and sticks out. Grout and/or seal around the pipe with mastic.  Roll the membrane 12 inches past the center of the protrusion and cut the entire roll vertically. Then cut the membrane horizontally back to the center of the pipe and cut a hole the same size as the pipe. Fasten it in a couple spots to hold it in place while you cut the next piece. Put a bead of mastic where the next piece will overlap. Then cut the piece of membrane that you cut off earlier the same way in the opposite direction and overlap it 12 inches past the center of the pipe. Install a plug every 2 feet vertically. When backfilling, this is a good area to use drainstone.

After you have hung all the membrane, go back to where you started and start step 2 – plugging

 

2. PLUGGING THE MEMBRANE

At the top is where you follow the specific pattern that repeats over and over. The basic pattern is; install a row of plugs 8 – 10 inches down from the top, every 16 inches horizontally. Then 8 inches down for that row of plugs install another row of plugs every 16 inches that are between the plugs above. This creates a “W” pattern . (See detailed instructions for more details)

• In the middle and the bottom, you put plugs every 6 -10 feet horizontally. Enough to keep the membrane tight against the wall.  Try to get the bottom plugs as close to the footing as possible to prevent the membrane from moving around while the drain work and backfilling is being done.
• Plugs are installed every 2 feet vertically on all overlaps.
• Plugs are installed every 2 feet vertically and 4-6 inches in from inside and outside corners.
• After all the plugs are in, go back to where you started and start step 3 – Molding/Capping.

3. MOLDING or CAPPING

Molding must be installed on all open edges using the Membrane Cap or DimpleGrip Molding. (HINT: We often recommend to order both DimpleGrip Molding & Membrane Cap if your job has both level and sloping areas)

DimpleGrip Molding is a piece of plastic 4 feet long and 3 ½ inches wide. It has reverse dimples on the back that interlock into the top 4 rows of dimples on the membrane itself. Giving a stronger hold which reduces the amount of plugs needed at the top. It has a soft lip on it that seals the top against the wall. It fits vertically and horizontally into the factory edges of the membrane. It costs a bit more but saves in time and labor. If you cut the membrane on an angle at the top, the dimples won’t fit properly, so you would use the Membrane Cap in that spot. You can use DimpleGrip for your entire job if your final grade is level. A good application is to use the DimpleGrip for horizontal edges and Membrane Cap for vertical edges, angles, and slopes.

Membrane Cap is a piece of plastic 4 feet long and only 1½ inches wide that seals all open edges. It is L shaped and smooth on the back. It can be installed horizontally, vertically, and on any angle. You can use the Membrane Cap throughout your entire job. However, you will use more SuperPlugs below the Membrane Cap than you would below the DimpleGrip. (see detailed instructions)

The DimpleGrip and the Membrane Cap are in a bundle with 10 pieces that are  4 feet long equaling 40 linear feet. Both are fastened every 6-8 inches butting each piece together as you go. Both can be cut with a standard utility knife. It is not necessary to overlap them.

Once the molding has been installed, it is good practice to walk around and patch any open spots. Feel free to put in addition plugs where desired, to keep it as flat as possible on the wall.

INSTALLING DRAIN SYSTEM

Install your drain system as per building code requirements. You must put a minimum of 6 inches of drain stone around the drainpipe, up on the footing, and up on the SUPERSEAL Membrane at the bottom. The bottom of the membrane should be incorporated in the drain system. This will allow any water that may enter the drainage space, to fall by gravity to the footing and migrate through the stone and into the pipe for removal.

 

FASTENING SYSTEMS

There are two molding systems to choose from. The DimpleGrip System and the Standard System

1)      The DimpleGrip System requires DimpleGrip Molding and SuperPlugs. (see below)

2)      The Standard System requires Membrane Cap and SuperPlugs. (see below)

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TOOL REQUIRED

TAPCON – Block wall Foundations

Tapcon screws work the best in block foundations. Use 1¼ inch (1¼ inches x 3/16 inches hexagon head is best). This is a predrill system. This is more time consuming than a nail gun but works well if it you are doing a small job or it’s a onetime use. TAPCON https://www.tapcon.com/products/genuine-tapcon-screw-anchors

CONCRETE NAIL GUN – For some block walls

Any nailgun that is designed for concrete will work on walls that have been filled with concrete. These can be purchased or rented at your local tool rental center. Use 11/4” – 11/2” nails.

The following guns work very well with the system as they hold 40 nails and the installation is quick. The nose piece friction fits the SuperPlug and Small Plug perfectly without any fancy adapters.

HILTI GX 120 https://www.hilti.ca/direct-fastening/electrical-%26-mechanical-fastenings/r3697

HILTI G3 https://www.hilti.ca/direct-fastening/drywall-applications/3538128

Ramset Trakfast http://www.ramset.ca/product/47/trakfast-gas-powered-tool

Some nail guns are powder activated and have different strengths of shots.

CONCRETE NAILS – Hand nailing

It is possible to use standard concrete nails and a hammer. Concrete varies in hardness in different regions. This method is labor intensive and time consuming. This is usually only done when the concrete is freshly poured and is in the curing process. Test a spot first before continuing.

You can predrill a small pilot hole slightly smaller than the shank size of the nail and then hammer it in.

Other tools you may need:

Eye protection, Ear protection, gloves, hammer, Tool belt, tape measure, marker, chalk line, utility knife, ladder, caulking gun or putty knife

 

 

Specifications

PART #	IMPERIAL			METRIC
SM36107	3’6″ X 65’6″	230ft²	29 lbs	1.07m x 20m	21.4m²	13kg
SM50150	5’0″ X 65’6″	325ft²	40 lbs	1.5m x 20m	30m²	18kg
SM60183	6’0″ X 65’6″	393ft²	49 lbs	1.83m x 20m	36.6m²	22kg
SM67200	6’7″ X 65’6″	431ft²	53 lbs	2.0m x 20m	40m²	24kg
SM74224	7’4″ X 65’6″	480ft²	59 lbs	2.24m x 20m	44.8m²	27kg
SM80240	7’11” X 65’6″	518ft²	64 lbs	2.4m x 20m	48m²	29kg
SM81127	8’11” X 65’6″	583ft²	72 lbs	2.7m x 20m	54m²	33kg
SM91130	9’11” X 65’6″	648ft²	80 lbs	3.0m x 20m	60m²	36kg
11’6 & 13’2 ROLLS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AS A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM
SM11635	11’6″ X 65’6″	754ft²	93 lbs	3.5m x 20m	70m²	43kg
SM13204	13’2″ X 65’6″	861ft²	107 lbs	4.0m x 20m	80m²	47kg

Tested and Passes The Following ICC ESR-3107, CCMC# 13098-R, CCMC# 13099-R, CGSB, NBC 9.13.3, 9.14.2.1 & IRC R405, R406
Dimpled Sheet	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Available Colors	Black (Standard), Brown (Special order)
Compressive Strength	5200 psf (250 kN/m² )
Dimple Height	5/16″ (8mm)
Fire Rating	B2 (DIN 4102)

Spec Sheet

ICC-ES

CCMC – Dampproofing

CCMC – Drainage

Dimpled Foundation Membrane Brochure

Interior French Drain Installation

Can I use SUPERSEAL Dimple Membrane on a concrete block foundation?

Yes, our product is well suited for the CMU walls and keeps mud and water away from the wall. CMU can absorb water into the hollow cavities. The SUPERSEAL membrane protects you from this.

Do I need to tar or coat the CMU prior to installing?

No, but ensure you install the SUPERSEAL to finish grade height to keep water off the wall. You may also want to consult with your local building official as they have specific requirements. Present with our evaluation report.

Should I install it over the footer?

The membrane must connect to the drain stone to allow the water moisture to enter the drainage system. Bring the drain stone to the membrane or the membrane to the stone and cover by 6 inches