Platinum Brick Plugs (Without Seals)

Q) What is Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) and what is it designed for?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is a specialist 10mm x 60mm fixing plug designed for securing cavity drain membranes and damp proof membranes to brick, concrete, stone and other suitable masonry substrates. It is supplied without sealing washers, so it does not create a watertight compression seal at the fixing point by itself. This makes it well suited to above-ground, non-water-bearing applications, or details where the fixing is sealed separately using Platinum Waterseal Rope. It can be used with Platinum CV8, CV3, CV8 Mesh, PM3 and selected DM3 applications, as well as compatible Newton, Platon and Wykamol membrane systems. The plug also accepts 5mm size 10 screws for fixing battens, tracking and dry-lining systems.

Q) What is the difference between Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) and the Platinum Waterseal Brick Plug?

A) The key difference between the two plugs is the presence or absence of a fitted rubber sealing washer. The Platinum Waterseal Brick Plug is supplied with a soft sprung rubber washer that compresses against the membrane face when the plug is driven home, creating a watertight seal around the fixing penetration. This makes it the recommended option for below-ground cavity drain membrane installations where water pressure and membrane continuity are critical. The Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) omits this washer entirely, making it suitable for above-ground or non-water-bearing applications where an integral compression seal is not required, or for details where the fixing is sealed separately using Platinum Waterseal Rope, particularly on vaulted, curved or inclined surfaces.

Q) Where can Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) be used in waterproofing and damp proofing work?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is designed for a wide range of membrane fixing applications. It is well suited to securing Platinum CV8, CV3 and CV8 Mesh cavity drain membranes, Platinum PM3 and selected DM3 damp proof membranes, and compatible Newton, Platon and Wykamol systems. Typical uses include above-ground damp proofing, non-water-bearing membrane fixing, vaulted ceiling membrane installation, brick arch and sloping soffit fixing where Waterseal Rope provides the seal, batten and dry-lining support through the plug core, and general masonry membrane fixing where a stronger brick plug anchorage is preferred over standard mesh membrane plugs. It can also be used in basement applications involving DM3 where a heavier duty fixing is specifically required.

Q) When should Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) be used instead of the Waterseal Brick Plug?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) should be chosen over the Waterseal Brick Plug in situations where an integral rubber compression seal is not required or not practical. This includes above-ground damp proofing where the fixing point will not be exposed to water pressure, non-water-bearing membrane applications where seal continuity at each plug is not a system requirement, and overhead or inclined installations such as vaulted ceilings, brick arches and sloping soffits where a flat rubber washer may not compress evenly against the curved surface. In these last situations, Platinum Waterseal Rope is wrapped around the plug head instead to provide a more adaptable seal suited to the geometry of the substrate. For standard below-ground waterproofing, the Waterseal Brick Plug with its integral washer is normally the preferred choice.

Q) What are the main advantages of Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals)?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) offers several practical advantages for membrane fixing work. The absence of a pre-fitted washer makes it specifically suited to above-ground, non-water-bearing or separately sealed applications where a compression washer would be unnecessary or impractical. It is compatible with the full Platinum membrane range including CV8, CV3, CV8 Mesh, PM3 and selected DM3 applications, as well as Newton, Platon and Wykamol systems, providing broad flexibility across different project specifications. The plug core accepts 5mm size 10 screws for secondary battens, tracking and dry-lining fixings without additional membrane penetrations. Its suitability for use with Platinum Waterseal Rope makes it genuinely practical on overhead, inclined and curved surfaces where a flat washer cannot seat consistently.

Q) What technical specifications does Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) have?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) measures 10mm in diameter by 60mm in length and is installed into a 10mm drilled hole formed through the membrane and into the masonry substrate. It is supplied without a fitted rubber sealing washer, distinguishing it from the Platinum Waterseal Brick Plug. The central hollow core accepts 5mm size 10 threaded screws, allowing secondary fixings for battens, tracking, dry-lining frames and suitable ancillary products without creating additional membrane penetrations. It is compatible with Platinum CV8, CV3, CV8 Mesh, PM3 and selected DM3 membranes, as well as Newton CDM membranes, Platon P8 and a range of Wykamol membranes, subject to the project specification and installer assessment.

Q) How is Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) installed correctly?

A) To install Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) correctly, first confirm the masonry substrate is sound and the membrane is correctly positioned and aligned. Using a 10mm drill bit, drill through the membrane and into the wall substrate to a suitable depth for the 60mm plug. Where a sealed fixing detail is required, wrap Platinum Waterseal Rope around the plug head before insertion, particularly on vaulted, curved or inclined surfaces. Push the plug into the drilled hole squarely and drive it fully home using a suitable hammer until completely seated against the membrane face. Check each plug is secure and fully inserted. For secondary fixings, use 5mm size 10 threaded screws through the plug core rather than drilling additional holes through the membrane.

Q) How is Platinum Waterseal Rope used with Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals)?

A) Platinum Waterseal Rope is used with Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) in situations where a sealed fixing detail is required but a flat rubber washer would not compress evenly against the membrane surface. This is particularly relevant on vaulted ceilings, brick arches, sloping soffits and other curved or inclined substrates where the surface geometry prevents consistent washer compression. The rope, which is a butyl-based sealing material, is wrapped or formed around the plug head before the plug is inserted into the drilled hole. As the plug is driven home, the rope compresses between the plug head and the membrane face, accommodating minor irregularities and creating a more reliable seal suited to the shape of the substrate. This approach is also used on Newton CDM NuSeal Plug installations for similar geometric reasons.

Q) What membranes is Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) compatible with?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is compatible with a wide range of cavity drain and damp proof membranes across multiple manufacturers. Within the Platinum range, it is suitable for Platinum CV8, Platinum CV3, Platinum CV8 Mesh, Platinum PM3 and selected DM3 basement applications. It also carries universal compatibility with Newton CDM membranes including Newton 508, 508R, 508 Mesh, 503 and 503 Mesh, Platon P8, and Wykamol membranes including CM8, CM8 Mesh, CM3 and CM3 Mesh. This broad compatibility makes it a genuinely flexible fixing option for installers working across different membrane brands and specifications, although suitability for each specific project should always be confirmed against the membrane manufacturer’s guidance and the system design requirements.

Q) What secondary fixings can be made through Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals)?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) accepts 5mm size 10 threaded screws through the central hollow core of each installed plug, providing ready-made anchor points for secondary fixings without creating additional penetrations through the membrane. Battens, tracking, dry-lining frames and compatible ancillary products can all be fixed into the plug core, allowing internal finishing systems to be constructed in front of the membrane while preserving the waterproofing or damp proofing layer behind. This dual function is particularly useful in basement conversions, cellar refurbishments and damp proofing installations where the membrane must remain undamaged behind internal finishes. Secondary fixings should be limited to 5mm size 10 screws as specified, and heavier or larger loads should be assessed separately against the system design and membrane specification.

Q) Can Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) be used on vaulted ceilings and brick arches?

A) Yes, Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is particularly well suited to vaulted ceilings, brick arches, sloping soffits and other overhead or inclined surfaces where the curved geometry makes a flat rubber washer impractical. On these surfaces, the irregular shape of the masonry prevents a compression washer from sitting evenly against the membrane, which can result in an unreliable or inconsistent seal. By using Platinum Waterseal Rope wrapped around the plug head instead, a more adaptable seal can be formed that accommodates the curvature and minor surface irregularities of the arch or soffit. This is the same sealing principle used with Newton CDM NuSeal Plugs in equivalent Newton system installations, and it provides a practical waterproofing detail for specialist overhead membrane fixing work.

Q) What substrates are Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) suitable for?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is suitable for securing cavity drain and damp proof membranes to a range of masonry substrates provided the background is structurally sound and capable of accepting a 10mm drilled fixing. Suitable substrates include brick, blockwork, concrete retaining walls, stone and mixed masonry walls commonly encountered in basement, cellar and above-ground damp proofing applications. The masonry must be stable and capable of gripping the 60mm plug reliably. Any loose, badly damaged or severely deteriorated background should be repaired before membrane and plug installation begins. Where substrate quality is uncertain, the fixing density and plug specification should be reviewed against the project requirements before installation proceeds to ensure adequate membrane restraint throughout.

Q) Are there practical tips for getting the best results when using Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals)?

A) For the best results with Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals), always drill a clean 10mm hole and keep the drill bit straight to avoid enlarging the hole or tearing the membrane. Select the appropriate fixing location through a membrane stud where the installation detail requires it. Prepare Platinum Waterseal Rope in advance for any vaulted, arched or inclined applications, wrapping it around the plug head before insertion rather than attempting to add it during hammering. Drive each plug fully home and check it is completely seated. For secondary battens or dry-lining, use 5mm size 10 screws into the plug core rather than drilling new holes through the membrane. Plan the fixing pattern across the full membrane area before starting, ensuring adequate coverage for the membrane type and intended finish.

Q) When is Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) used with Platinum DM3 membrane?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) is used with Platinum DM3 membrane in selected basement applications where a heavier duty brick plug fixing is preferred over standard Platinum Mesh Fix Plugs. This may be relevant where the substrate is more demanding, where stronger anchorage is required due to the environment or membrane size, or where the DM3 membrane is being used in a below-ground situation that benefits from the additional mechanical holding strength of a brick plug format. In standard above-ground DM3 damp proofing applications, Platinum Mesh Fix Plugs are normally the appropriate fixing choice. Where DM3 is specified in a basement context and a sealed fixing is needed, the installer should assess whether the non-sealed plug combined with Waterseal Rope or the Waterseal Brick Plug is the most appropriate detail.

Q) What are the limitations of Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals)?

A) Platinum Brick Plug (Without Seals) has several important limitations to be aware of. Because it is supplied without a fitted rubber sealing washer, it does not create a watertight compression seal at the fixing point by itself. It should not be used as a sealed waterproof fixing in below-ground cavity drain membrane installations without additional sealing using Platinum Waterseal Rope. Using this plug in place of the Waterseal Brick Plug in standard basement waterproofing without rope sealing would compromise the waterproof integrity of the system at each fixing point. It is not a general-purpose wall plug and is designed for membrane fixing applications within the Platinum system and compatible alternatives. Masonry must be sound to achieve reliable anchorage, and secondary fixings are limited to 5mm size 10 screws.