Installation Manual Foundations Version 4.3ᵠ (*) - Denotes Current Revisions throughout this Installation Manual Version 4 (ᵠ) - Denotes Current Revisions for Version 4.
Planning the Job Contents Overview ....................................................................................................................... 1 Planning the Job .......................................................................................................... 2 Introducing DMX AG™ ............................................................................................... 2 Supplies Required ............................................................................................
Planning the Job Legend of Symbols Where sealants are recommended (Sealants enhance the installation, but are optional) except Waterproofing/Repair Hints for better quality installation Important installation guides Engineer required for Structural Issues ii DMX AG™ Foundation Guide: Version 4.
Planning the Job Overview This is a quick simplified view of what is involved in installing DMX AG™. The rest of this guide provides the details Step 1: Clean the footing and snap a chalk line at the finished grade. Step 2: Unroll the DMX AG™ (dimples against the wall), with the top of the membrane slightly below finished grade. (page 6) Step 3: Install Concrete Nails and Approved Washers or Quick Clips. (Page 6) Step 4: Handle corners and overlaps.
Planning the Job Planning the Job Introducing DMX AG™ DMX AG™ is a dimpled plastic membrane with a flat tab on one side. To install it, you will basically wrap it around the foundation with the flat tab at the top, attaching the top of it to the foundation wall using special washers and nails, and applying a ½” wide x ½” thick sealant bead between the flat tab and foundation*. This is a simplified view: Flat tab Sealant Bead* (Optional) The raised dimples go against the wall.
Planning the Job Supplies Required Rolls of DMX AG™ 1 roll for every 65 feet (20 meters) of foundation perimeter. Choose the height that matches the distance from the footing to the grade line. DMX AG™ comes in a variety of heights up to 8 feet (2.4 meters). If you need more height or if you have to piece the DMX AG™, you can overlap the top layer over the bottom layer by at least 6 inches (15 cm) and mesh the dimples.
Planning the Job Tools Required Utility knife For cutting the membrane Chalk line For marking the grade level on the foundation wall Drill For ICF foundations. Cordless is the most convenient. Hammer or power nail gun For poured or concrete block foundations. New or green concrete can be nailed by hand. Cured walls and block walls are more easily dealt with using a power nail gun.= Adapter For holding the DMX Washers™ when you are using a power nail gun.
Planning the Job Where to Start? If you will be wrapping the whole foundation, start away from any corners or angles in the wall. This lets you overlap the membrane in a convenient place. If the foundation has an attached garage, wrap the exterior walls of the house as well as the inside of the garage excavation, where the foundation of the house meets the garage. The membrane should extend at least 6 inches (15 cm) past the house foundation.
Installing DMX AG™ Installing DMX AG™ 1. Snap a chalk line one inch below grade level on the foundation wall. 2. Roll out a small amount of DMX AG™ with the flat tab lining up with the chalk line. Keep the membrane as smooth as possible. The dimples (bumps) are placed against the wall as shown below: This is a dimple. Place it against a foundation wall. We recommend that two people install the DMX AG™ – one to unroll and smooth out the DMX AG™ and one to attach it to the foundation. 3.
Installing DMX AG™ Position the DMX Washers™ in the flat tab, 6 – 8 inches* (15 cm – 20 cm) apart, secure in place with 1 ¼ inch concrete nails. Install DMX Washers™ or DMX Quik Clips in the dimpled section, in accordance with the diagram below the tab, with the washers spaced 12 – 14 inches* (30 cm – 35 cm) apart and Quik Clipsᵠ at 14”-16” (35cm – 41cm) (please refer to diagram below left for washers and below-right for Quick Clips). Please Note: The Illustrations shownᵠ are 4ft.
Installing DMX AG™ In heavy clay soil, we recommend that you insert a third row of washers 12 inches (30 cm) below the second row of washers, with a spacing of 12” to 14” (30 cm to 35 cm)*. For DMX Quick Clips install them at a spacing of 14” to 16” (35 cm to 40 cm)* 4. Insert a final row of washers approximately 12 inches (30 cm) above the footing spaced 10 feet apart. This final row of washers will prevent the crushed stone from getting under the membrane.
Installing DMX AG™ Joining Horizontal* Rolls of DMX AG™ When joining two pieces of DMX AG™ vertically, as shown below, overlap them by 6 inches (15 cm), apply a full bead of sealant* and mesh the dimples. It is not necessary to caulk the join if the overlap is 12" or more*. Insert DMX Washers™ along the overlap every 8" inches (20 cm). Overlap the membrane 6 inches (15 cm). Apply a ½” x ½” bead of sealant at joint* Insert DMX Washers™ every 8 inches (20cm) along the overlap.
Installing DMX AG™ Overlap the top section over the bottom section by at least 6 inches (15 cm). Apply a full bead of sealant along the horizontal join.* Fasten with DMX Washers™ every 6 inches* (15 cm). Required when installing membrane as wall waterproofing* DMX AG™ Foundation Guide: Version 4.
Installing DMX AG™ Windows For windows or other openings in the foundation, cut the membrane 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) back from the edge. Fasten the membrane to the foundation wall under the opening using DMX Washers™ as usual. Since you have trimmed off the flat tab, you must install DMX FlexTrim™ to seal the cut edges to within 3" (7.5 cm)* of the opening. 3" Cut the membrane back from the edge of openings in the foundation, 4” min*.
Installing DMX AG™ Service Entrances (Service Penetrations Must be Sealed through Membrane) Follow this procedure whenever there are penetrations in the foundation for services (gas, hydro, water and so on). 1. Caulk around the service that is penetrating the foundation. 2. Cut the membrane vertically so that it goes PAST the service at least 6 inches (15 cm). Cut Line Center of Service 6” (15 cm) The DMX AG™ extends 6 inches (15 cm) past the pipe penetrating this foundation.
Installing DMX AG™ 3. Cut the membrane to fit as tightly as possible around the service. 4. Caulk around the service again. 5. (Now there will be caulking around the service both under the DMX AG™ and on top of it.) 6. Start the next piece of membrane 6 inches (15 cm) BEFORE the service. (The idea is to have a 12-inch (30 cm) overlap at the service.) 6” (15 cm) Center of Service Start the DMX AG™ 6 inches (15 cm) before the pipe. Cut here to allow fitting the DMX AG™ around the pipe.
Installing DMX AG™ Caulk at FlexTrim Interface* Wherever the flat tab has been cut away, fasten DMX FlexTrim™ (shaded areas below) to the cut edges using a nail and washer (or screw and washer for ICF foundations). Sealant application lines between membrane overlap (Optional if overlap is more than 12”) DMX AG™ Foundation Guide: Version 4.
Installing DMX AG™ Sealing the End of the Roll If you are not wrapping the entire foundation in DMX AG™, such as when there is an attached garage, you need to seal the vertical ends of the DMX AG™. Anchor the membrane to the foundation using DMX Washers™, including the vertical open end at 6 inches* (15 cm) spacing which will receive some closing trim. Then install DMX FlexTrim™ on the vertical edge just as you would for cut edges in the top of the membrane.
Installing DMX AG™ Backfilling – Follow Local Code Practices* 1. Cover the drainage system required by Code* with approved granular material using good engineering and construction practices.* 2. Carefully backfill the balance of the excavated area, by following good construction practices (DO NOT DAMAGE DMX AG MEMBRANE)* 3. Make sure the finished grade is just slightly above the top of DMX AG™, but not greater than 1".* During backfill, avoid placing large rocks (> 6” dia.
Installing DMX AG™ NOTE: As DMX AG is a membrane that is independent of the foundation and flexible, it is NOT to be used as a structural repair method for foundations requiring structural repairs as a stand alone system. It can be used in combination with approved structural repairs to a foundation to provide the necessary dampproofing, drainage and wall waterproofing required by the Codes.
