Ultimate Geotextile Membrane Guide
Are geotextile membranes really necessary? What is so special about them?
Do you have those questions as well? Then this blog post will be perfect for you. We will cover the description of geotextile membranes; the different types available on the market and their uses; and how will they benefit you in the long run.
Geotextile Membrane
Geotextile membrane is a sheet of fabric used in association with soil, such as ground reinforcement, ground drainage, soil separation, erosion control, soil stabilisation, weed prevention etc. This material is used at the subbase, separating soil layers, and reinforcing the ground.
There are two types of geotextile membranes: permeable and impermeable. A permeable geotextile membrane, also known as porous, will allow water to pass through yet stop fine particles go passing at the same time. Whereas impermeable geotextile membrane is designed to prevent water from passing through.
Permeable Geotextile Membrane
You can get permeable geotextile membrane either non-woven or woven. But what are the differences between them?
Non-woven geotextile membrane is manufactured by needle-punching or heat-bonding synthetic fibres together, normally in white. They are not as strong as the woven membrane due to the way they were made; therefore, the non-woven membrane is generally used in places with less loading capacity. For instance, wrapping around soakaway crates for protection and preventing drainage from being blocked by residues, or applying it beneath domestic patios and block paving to keep it separate from the soil.
Woven geotextile membrane is typically in black, manufactured by weaving or knitting individual threads of material to form a large sheet. The way woven membrane was made gave it a stronger bond, meaning it has a higher loading capacity than non-woven. Hence, it is commonly used for heavy loadings, such as railways, road constructions and embankments.
Despite the differences, both types of membranes are highly versatile with effective results.
Impermeable Geotextile Membrane
Impermeable geotextile membrane is manufactured with heavy-duty polyethylene that provides a tough, durable protection layer with high flexibility. As the name implied, an impermeable membrane is used to block water from travelling to another area.
You can use impermeable membranes in various applications, from damp-proofing walls, and building ponds, to soakaway crates.
Is Geotextile Membrane Worth the Money
Absolutely! One of the main jobs of geotextile membranes is to separate the granular layer from the soft soil layer, so the soil won’t be contaminated. Without the geotextile membrane layer, the separation, and the loading pressure would slowly push the granular layer down into the softer soil layer or mess up the ground structure. This could end with flooding due to drainage system failure; uneven ground; roads, or other structures falling to pieces.
A bonus benefit of laying down geotextile membranes is that the membrane also acts as a weed barrier, keeping your installation low maintenance!