DMX AG™ creates an air gap between wet soil and your basement wall, allowing the poured concrete and concrete block walls to breathe. This provides a clear negative side drainage path to disperse any ground moisture that might find it way behind the membrane. Wet soil never touches the wall next to your living space, thus reducing the chances of moisture infiltration into the basement.

The DMX AG™ is made of HDPE, a waterproof material. When installed according to our installation guide, it keeps water exterior to the foundation walls. This means dryer basements for the end-user and also a wider choice of finishing materials.

The dimples in DMX AG™ create a negative side air gap that eliminates the hydrostatic load (pressure) that forces water into the foundation. Without the dimples in DMX AG™, the product would be in direct contact with the foundation exterior. Without a negative side clear drainage path, moisture can potentially get against the wall should it get behind the membrane and force water intrusion into the basement. The key to the success of the DMX AG™ is the dimple for the control of hydrostatic pressure and ground moisture control.

In most cases, it is highly unlikely when installed properly. However, even if the sheet was damaged and water got behind it, the air gap would prevent water from getting into the home by diffusing hydrostatic pressure build-up and providing a drainage path to the footing tile. Because there is no direct soil contact with the wall, water just drains down to the footing and away through the drainage system.

The design of the dimple structure allows for a continuous flow of water along the path of dimples and air gap to the footing drain and resists the transport of drainage water to the foundation wall. The “conical” shape of the dimple provides a low resistance to vertical water flow and minimizes the lateral movement of water. This provides maximum protection of the foundation wall from moisture contact with the wall. 

You will need DMX Quik Clips and plastic washers for attaching the membrane to the foundation. Use with 1¼ inch concrete nails for poured or concrete block foundations. And 1½ inch coated deck screws for ICF foundations.

DMX FlexTrim is available for sealing cut edges in the membrane where the flat panel has had to be trimmed off. For example, around basement below-grade windows or along the top of the membrane on a slope. For full details, download our DMX AG Installation Manual.

What types of foundation can I use DMX AG™ on? Every type you can think of—poured concrete, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), block wall, and wood.

Absolutely! DMX AG™ will protect everything from a modest crack in a residential foundation to the stone foundations of century-old churches and homes.

Yes! We suggest installing an extra row of DMX Quik Clips in the body of the DMX AG. This will help stand up to the vertical pressure heavy clay soil can place on the membrane and wall.

(See our Installation Manual for details)

Not at all! You can use DMX AG™ for under-slab vapor barriers, exterior wall protection, interior wall repairs*, built-up flower beds, retaining wall protection**, around culverts, and many other commercial or industrial applications. Keep watching as we come up with even more! If your application calls for more robust drainage than simply moisture protection, use our DMX Drain™ Geocomposite Drainage Boards. This option is economical and very effective.

* Check with local building codes on the use of exposes plastics and accepted practices for interior uses
** Drainage is very important in retaining wall designs. Before installing DMX AG™, you must ensure that appropriate drainage is accounted for. (ie; sand, gravel, DMX Geocomposite)

Yes, but only in areas where there have been extensive geo-technical studies done. These studies are done to determine that a drainage tile is not necessary and the local water tables are not expected to cause any problem in terms of load-bearing for the soil conditions. Consult your local Building Code or Regulations on the implementation and requirements regarding the installation of weeping tile or drainage pipes as defined in the Codes or by a Professional Engineer competent in soil investigation.