EXPOL RETAINING WALL SOLUTIONS
EXPOL products offer membrane protection, drainage and insulation for concrete, block and wooden retaining walls.
EXPOL ThermaSlab (EPS Expanded Polystyrene) offers protection for waterproof membranes when using gravel or scoria for drainage. EXPOL generally recommends 25mm or 40mm sheet thickness though the product is also available in a range of thicknesses.
EXPOL X (XPS – Extruded Polystyrene) is the ideal solution for insulating retaining walls. Its waterproof qualities provide an excellent exterior insulation solution.
EXPOL StyroDrain is made of 100% recycled polystyrene offer a lightweight alternative solution to traditional drainage materials for most retaining walls and is specifically designed for situations with limited access.
EXPOL QuickDrain has been designed as a no-scoria drainage solution and can be used in conjunction with StyroDrain.
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EXPOL ThermaSlab (EPS – Expanded Polystyrene), EXPOL StyroDrain, EXPOL QuickDrain are made from or contain recycled content and can be recycled.
The Products
EXPOL ThermaSlab S (EPS – Expanded Polystyrene) is used for the protection of a retaining walls surface and is available in a range of thicknesses to suit your specific requirements. 25mm is common practice for most retaining walls, whereas 40mm is recommended for retaining walls higher than 1.2 metres or where the gravel / scoria is more likely to damage the waterproof membrane.
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EXPOL-X (XPS – Extruded Polystyrene) for protection & insulation is available in full sheets only. It is highly water resistant and has an extremely high compressive strength.
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EXPOL StyroDrain (Protection & Drainage) is a permeable light-weight drainage material manufactured from 100% recycled Expanded Polystyrene material, offering drainage and protection to the water-proofing membrane used on retaining walls. A double layer of EXPOL StyroDrain may be required if the retaining wall is higher than 1.8 metres or in special circumstances. EXPOL StyroDrain comes in easy to handle sheets 90mm thick and can be cut with a sharp knife or hand saw.
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EXPOL QuickDrain (drainage) is an engineered drainage solution and provides a scoria-free alternative to traditional scoria drainage solutions, cutting installation time in half. QuickDrain incorporates a recycled polystyrene aggregate that provides enhanced drainage performance, strength, filtration and longevity.
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Installation
EXPOL ThermaSlab S (EPS – Expanded Polystyrene)
EXPOL ThermaSlab should be placed hard up against the retaining wall after the water proofing membrane or tanking has been applied. EXPOL ThermaSlab should be held in place while the drainage material is added. EXPOL supplies a construction adhesive, Styro-FIX for this purpose.
The sheets of ThermaSlab are used to give protection to the water proofing membrane or tanking on the retaining wall. This is important so the drainage material (scoria) does not damage the membrane. EXPOL Thermaslab should cover all waterproofing membrane and tanking. The sheets of EXPOL ThermaSlab should not be exposed at the top of the wall.
EXPOL-X (XPS – Extruded Polystyrene)
EXPOL-X should be placed hard up against the retaining wall after the water proofing membrane or tanking has been applied. EXPOL-X should be held in place while the drainage material is added. EXPOL supplies a construction adhesive for this purpose.
EXPOL-X is used to add insulation to the exterior of a retaining wall. It will also give protection to the water proofing membrane or tanking on the retaining wall This is important so the back fill material (scoria) does not damage the membrane.
EXPOL-X should cover all waterproofing membrane and tanking. The sheets of EXPOL-X should not be exposed at the top of the wall.
EXPOL StyroDrain (protection & drainage)
EXPOL StyroDrain polystyrene drainage board should be placed hard up against the retaining wall after the water proofing membrane or tanking has been applied. StyroDrain should be held in place while backfilling the retaining wall. EXPOL supplies a construction adhesive to secure the sheets to the wall before back filling.
The sheets of StyroDrain are placed on top of 100mm perforated drain. The perforated drain is surrounded by drainage gravel and situated at the base of the retaining wall. On high reach retaining walls, a double thickness of StyroDrain along the base of the wall may be required allow for increased compression and better drainage.
EXPOL StyroDrain should cover all waterproofing membrane and tanking areas. The sheets of StyroDrain should not be exposed at the top of the wall.
EXPOL QuickDrain (drainage)
- QuickDrain comes in easy-to-handle 2.5 metre lengths. Each length comes with a QuickDrain Joiner and cable tie.
- Dig your trench the same width as your QuickDrain and deep enough to allow a minimum of 200mm of soil coverage.
- Simply clip the length together to achieve the required length for your project. Once the QuickDrain has been laid in the trench you are ready to start covering the QuickDrain.
Once QuickDrain is buried it will last 50+ years as it is produced from HDPE plastic, recycled polystyrene and PET fibre, however the drainage performance will be dependent on the overall design.
When laying QuickDrain please ensure it has a fall. Make sure it is directed to the lowest point of your property and is connected to a stormwater outlet. Exposure of QuickDrain to sunlight for prolonged periods should be avoided.
System Components
Styro-FIX Construction Adhesive
Styro–FIX is an advanced single component polyurethane-based construction adhesive.
This powerful adhesive is developed especially for the construction industry and will bond most types of construction materials including timber (damp and dry), concrete, plasterboard, polystyrene and many other porous and non-porous substrates.
It bonds expanded polystyrene to most surfaces, delivers strong adhesion and rapid cure, it is gun-able and non-drip.
FURTHER INFORMATION
EXPOL StyroDrain has been tested by WSP OPUS International Consultants Ltd. OPUS INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS Job No. 169402.00.
Reference No. 02/402/001 Permeability Tests: EXPOL StyroDrain Test References: Permeability as per “Constant Head Permeability of Aggregate, Based on Soil Laboratory Testing” by E.H.Head, Density by Mass/Volume calculation
EXPOL QuickDrain has been tested by WSP OPUS International Consultants Ltd
MANUFACTURING STANDARD
All products and grades of Expanded Polystyrene supplied by EXPOL for retaining wall solutions comply with manufacturing standard AS 1366 Part 3 1992.
For further, detailed information on all products contact EXPOL 0800 86 33 73