What are the strengths and weaknesses of Platon vs DeltaMS membranes for basement wall waterproofing? Any real difference between the two systems?

When building a home with a basement that you truly want to have zero water intrusion, be sure to not rely soley on a coating to seal the porous foam/concrete walls below gound level. I encourage you to consider a pro-active process which provides for the water that will be there to be drained away from the home. Such as a 4 inch PVC perforated drain pipe with 3/4+ aggregate above it (all the way up to ground level) in a trench at least 1 ft wide all around the home/basement. The drain pipe should run to the sewer, or out to lower ground level away from the house. If there isn't lower ground nearby, then I recommend only digging the basement as deep into the ground as there is lower ground nearby, then briniging in dirt to raise the ground level around the basement (also using the earth excavated for the basement). This will provide a positive water flow away from the house for minimal extra cost. Another thing to consider is a water-in-tube system in the ceiling & walls insulation and circulating into a "bed" of tubing in the ground under the basement to take advantage of the near surface geo-thermal energy offered by mother earth. She will keep the ground under your basement at an even approximate 65 degrees year round. Pump some of that "heat" directly up into the surrounding structure of your home. Then add solar panels and wind turbine generators for your appliances, refrigerator, lights (use LED's) fans, T.V. entertainment, power tools, toys and even to recharge the batteries of an electric car....for a truly Zero Energy Lifestyle....check out www.eyedestu.com for more information.....Thank you.

Grzelakc: No there is minimal differences between Delta and Platon, and also DMX. DMX and platon's dimples however run vertical and are very easy to bend around a 90* degree corner, Delta's run diagonally which makes this a little tuffer. Platon's speed clip has the best holding power in heavy soil, but is more expensive than the others plastic clips/buttons for less expansive soils where there's perform just fine. Either way I would recommended a peel and stick product at grade to terminate either of the products above. Do search on this subject here to eliminate allot of your personal time reading replies. This has been a very debated subject.

Dave

Dave,
thanks for the reply. Are you telling me to flash the top of platon with a strip of peel and stick membrane? Did I get that right?

BTW. I already have peel and stick on the walls below grade but I want to put a dimpled membrane on top of that for double protection.

I think peel and stick is the better way to terminate at the top of the dimple, it allows minor grade changes that you can simply cut the peel and stick back down to your finish height, and stucco over it a few inches or leave high and veneer over it. Its tough to finish over Dimple.

The only basements that I've seen leak in this industry where peel and stick, so I believe it's a must to cover with dimple. I'm sure that many guys out there are using P&S with great results, and we also sell both products but unless you have used primer and sealed all your joints with the appropriate mastic, I would use dimple also.

Dave