MEL-DRAIN – Converting Sheet Drains To Chimney Drains in the Field

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This technical bulletin presents the recommended method for converting MEL-DRAIN products into chimney drain products in the field.

W. R. MEADOWS manufactures MEL-DRAIN products primarily for use in backfilled wall and shotcrete wall appli­cations where full wall drainage is either not practical or is cost prohibitive (see below typical detail for refer­ence). MEL-DRAIN products are designed to minimize the detail work required by contractors in the field on chimney drain applications, increasing the speed and ease of installation versus standard geocomposite sheet drain products.

MEL-DRAIN products are available in 4’ rolls, and can be converted to function as chimney drains in the field using the following method:

1. Cut sheet drain to desired chimney drain width using a utility knife or sheers. You will now have “chimney drains” with fabric on the dimple side and exposed edges (no fabric covering roll edges).
2. Use PERMINATOR TAPE from W. R. MEADOWS to cover exposed edges of chimney drains, securing tape to fabric on dimple side and plastic on flat side of core. This is required to prevent soil/shotcrete from intruding into the edges of the core during backfill shotcrete process.

2022-06