The Duzce plain is known for its alluvial fill and high groundwater table; geotechnical surveys carried out after the 1999 earthquakes found the water table running close to foundation level at many points across the region. That makes the correct waterproofing detail against hydrostatic pressure essential, especially in buildings with basements.
Steady year round rainfall from the Black Sea climate also keeps shifting the moisture balance of the ground. In Duzce we design foundation drainage projects around this high water table and the ground conditions as they were rebuilt after the earthquake.
Our most requested service in Duzce is the twin layer French drain system that balances water pressure in alluvial soils. On new housing projects we prepare a groundwater routing plan before the foundation is poured.
In existing buildings we solve basement waterproofing permanently with a combination of injection and external membrane.
The three situations we meet most often in Düzce
High water table on the plain. In settlements built on the plain the water table runs close to the surface. Waterproofing installed without drainage in basements and below ground spaces works under constant pressure and tires early.
Heavy rainfall and surface water. The rainfall regime in the region is high. Where falls and drainage around the building are not set up correctly, rainwater collects around the foundation and adds to the water table load.
Building stock renewed after the earthquake. In buildings being rebuilt in the region, foundation waterproofing and drainage can be planned at design stage. When tanking and perimeter drainage are installed together in a new build, the problem is solved before it appears.
What we look at during the survey
Water table level and its seasonal variation, distance to stream beds and water sources, surface falls around the building, the discharge point of rainwater downpipes, and whether waterproofing details were drawn at design stage in new build.