Drainage Cell
A moulded void-forming panel laid over a waterproofing membrane beneath soil or paving, creating a continuous drainage path to outlets.
On an actual building
It stops planter soil holding water permanently against the membrane. Its omission is the most common cause of podium leakage, because very few barriers are designed for permanent immersion under saturated soil.
What we most often have to correct
That good falls make it unnecessary under planters. Soil retains water regardless of the slope beneath it.
Terms that come up alongside this one
- Geotextile
A permeable fabric used in construction to separate, filter, protect or drain.
- Podium
A raised deck between the ground and tower floors, typically carrying landscaping, a clubhouse or parking, and sitting above occupied space..
- Fall (Slope)
The deliberate gradient built into a horizontal surface so water runs to the outlets, usually around 1:100 to 1:120 on a terrace..
Drainage Cell — questions we get asked
What does drainage cell mean in waterproofing?
A moulded void-forming panel laid over a waterproofing membrane beneath soil or paving, creating a continuous drainage path to outlets.
Why does drainage cell matter on a real project?
It stops planter soil holding water permanently against the membrane. Its omission is the most common cause of podium leakage, because very few barriers are designed for permanent immersion under saturated soil.
What do people commonly get wrong about drainage cell?
That good falls make it unnecessary under planters. Soil retains water regardless of the slope beneath it.
Have a building showing this?
If a term on this page describes something you are looking at, a site inspection will tell you how far it has gone and what it needs. It costs nothing.
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