breathable waterproof membrane for a cavehouse

[trogo]

Hola todas
Anyone out there know of a suitable breathable waterproof membrane for the following problem.
I am having problems with damp coming through a ceiling in a cave house (I live in Spain) Water and caves are moi bad.
I have put irrigation channels in the land above the cave in an attempt to stop the problem but no success.
The problem being is the soil is pure clay and in heavy rains turns into a sponge. Concreting is not an option as the caves need to breath so the only thing I can think of would be a breathable waterproof membrane running off into a french drain.

 

[Deluks]

Greetings cave dweller! This is an abnormal problem and beyond the scope of diy, gonna have to get your thinking cap on, but breathable membrane sounds ok-ish.

Should've got a survey done really

 

[mointainwalker]

Unusual problem, but I do have to question

"pure clay... turns into a sponge,..."

As far as I know , clay is impervious to water and therefore not very sponge-like - right or not ? If you really have clay, I would have thought that would have been ideal.

Anyway, that apart, how much soil/clay above the rock (?) of your abode ?

Would it be possible to scrape it all off mechanically and cover it with a water-proof membrane ? This assumes you own the land above the cave.

Surely a big task, but you have a significant problem to deal with.

 

[mointainwalker]

Anyway, what's with the "Hola Todas " ? This is not a unisex female forum .

 

[hotrod]

Tyvek are pretty clued up on breather membranes. They may have something suitable for your application/environment, have a look:-

Dupont Tyvek

They've also got a spanish site you may find useful:-

Dupont Tyvek Espana

Good luck

 

[noseall]

Unusual problem, but I do have to question

"pure clay... turns into a sponge,..."

As far as I know , clay is impervious to water and therefore not very sponge-like - right or not ? If you really have clay, I would have thought that would have been ideal.

Clay undergoes one of the most astonishing volume changes when saturated with water. This is the reason we have clay heave and shrinkage subsidence within properties built on clay.

There is a whole industry built around the problems associated with properties built on clay.

You need to swat-up Skywalker.

 

[ColJack]

why do caves need to breathe?

just shotcrete the inside and the water will find another route past the cave.. eary..

 

[mointainwalker]

you seem somewhat chippy Mr Nose. Why is that ?

 

[noseall]

you seem somewhat chippy Mr Nose. Why is that ?

Last night - it was unruly sprogs.

 

[mointainwalker]

Ah, I see

 

[trogo]

Mucho gracias todas

Scraped some top soil off, laid a bed of sand and gone for the breathable waterproof membrane running off into a french drain option. If the cave hasn't sunk under the weight of rain hitting us at the moment I would say problem solved.

 

[harleythedog]

interesting issues there. Keep us informed about how it goes. Just for records, what kind of thickness is the ceiling/walls to the surface? Also interested in the interior wall surface and what it is made up of.

Cheers Need to knowloads more.