1m x 10m Geotextile Filter Membrane / Drainage Fabric 80g (10m2/Roll)

What is 1m x 10m Geotextile Filter Membrane?

This 1m x 10m Geotextile Filter Membrane is an 80gsm (grams per square metre) nonwoven fabric, supplied as a compact 1m x 10m roll covering 10m². Specifically designed as a Drainage Fabric, its 80gsm weight categorises it as a light-duty geotextile. 

It is ideal for a wide range of domestic filtration and separation applications in landscaping, garden drainage, and light civil engineering projects where effective water flow and soil particle retention are paramount.

This filter fabric provides an efficient solution for enhancing the performance and longevity of drainage systems. Its carefully engineered nonwoven structure is suited for various outdoor applications, helping to prevent the clogging of drainage aggregates and maintain clear water pathways.

Its primary functions when used in drainage and separation applications are:

• Filtration: This is its core purpose. The fabric acts as a highly effective filter, allowing water to pass through into drainage systems (such as French drains, soakaways, or around perforated pipes) while preventing fine soil particles, silt, and sand from entering and causing blockages. This preserves the long-term efficiency of the drainage system.
• Separation: It serves as a durable dividing layer between different soil types or between soil and construction aggregates (e.g., in soakaway construction, or separating topsoil from a drainage layer in planters or green roofs). This prevents the intermixing of these distinct materials, which could otherwise compromise drainage performance or the stability of the separated layers.
• Drainage Facilitation (by allowing water passage): While not a drainage conduit itself, its high permeability allows it to efficiently transmit water to a designed drainage system or aggregate layer.

Benefits

• Optimised Filtration Efficiency: Specifically engineered with a pore structure that effectively retains fine soil particles while allowing excellent water flow, crucial for preventing the clogging of drainage systems.
• Enhanced Drainage System Lifespan: Protects drainage aggregates (like gravel in French drains) and perforated pipes from siltation, ensuring they remain clear and function effectively for many years.
• Effective Soil Separation: Reliably keeps different soil or aggregate layers distinct, preserving their intended properties and the overall integrity of the construction (e.g., preventing garden soil from washing into drainage stone).
• Lightweight & Easy to Handle: The 80gsm fabric in a 1m x 10m roll is exceptionally lightweight and flexible, making it very easy to transport, cut to size, and install, even in confined spaces or for DIY projects.
• Durable Material (for its intended use): Made from tough, rot-proof, and chemically inert synthetic fibres (typically polypropylene) for good long-term performance when buried and protected from UV light.
• Versatile for Drainage & Landscaping: Ideal for a wide range of filtration and separation tasks in garden drainage, soakaway construction, retaining wall drainage, and general landscaping.
• Cost-Effective Solution: An economical method to significantly improve the performance and durability of subsurface drainage systems and maintain separated landscape layers.

Applications

• French Drains & Land Drainage Systems: Lining trenches and wrapping perforated drainage pipes to prevent soil fines from entering and blocking the drainage aggregate and pipe slots.
• Soakaway Construction: Wrapping soakaway crates or lining soakaway pits to maintain the void structure and prevent clogging by surrounding soil.
• Retaining Wall Drainage: Placed behind retaining walls (against the retained earth) to allow water to escape to a drainage layer, reducing hydrostatic pressure.
• Planters & Green Roofs: As a filter sheet within the drainage layers to separate growing media from drainage components.
• Separation Layer in Light Landscaping: Separating topsoil from sub-soil, or soil from decorative aggregates in garden beds, paths, or under light-duty artificial grass installations where high strength is not required.
• Aggregate Driveways (Very Light Duty - Filtration/Separation Only): Can be used as a separator between the sub-grade (soil) and a well-compacted sub-base in very light-duty domestic driveways (e.g., pedestrian paths that may occasionally take a light car) where its primary role is strictly filtration and separation, and where ground conditions are already firm and stable. It is NOT recommended for significant ground stabilisation or for driveways expecting regular vehicular traffic.

Important Note: For applications requiring significant ground stabilisation, load distribution (e.g., most domestic driveways, any area with regular vehicular traffic, or use on soft/unstable ground), a heavier grade of geotextile (typically 100gsm upwards, and often significantly more robust woven types for high-strength needs) is essential and should be specified, often with engineering advice. This 80gsm fabric is primarily a filter/separator.

Installation Guidelines

Correct installation is key to achieving the desired filtration and separation performance. Always consider project-specific requirements.

• Site Preparation (Sub-Grade/Trench):
  • Trenches (e.g., French Drains): Excavate to the required dimensions and gradient. Ensure trench walls are reasonably stable.
  • Area Coverage: Remove sharp objects, large stones, and significant organic matter from the sub-grade. Level as required for the application.
• Laying the Geotextile: Unroll the 80gsm filter membrane directly into the trench or over the prepared area. Ensure it lines the trench base and sides adequately, or covers the area smoothly without excessive wrinkles or tension, as this can affect filtration performance. Avoid dragging it over any remaining sharp objects.
• Overlapping (Lapping): Where adjacent sheets or roll ends of geotextile meet, they must be overlapped to ensure continuous filtration and separation. For most filtration and separation applications, a lap of at least 300mm is a robust recommendation to maintain integrity. Secure laps with ground pegs if necessary, especially on slopes, in trenches before backfilling, or in windy conditions.
• Placing Drainage Aggregate/Materials: Carefully place drainage aggregate (e.g., clean gravel or stone as per design) onto or within the geotextile-lined area. If wrapping a perforated pipe, place the pipe, surround it with the specified aggregate, then fold the fabric over the top of the aggregate to completely encase the system, ensuring appropriate overlaps are maintained and secured. Avoid dropping aggregate from excessive height directly onto the fabric.
• Backfilling/Covering: Complete the installation by backfilling the trench or covering the fabric with the next specified layer (e.g., topsoil, paving bedding layer, decorative aggregate). Ensure the fabric is not displaced or damaged during this process.

Storage & Handling

• Store rolls horizontally, preferably under cover to protect from prolonged direct sunlight (UV exposure can degrade polypropylene over time if left uncovered indefinitely before installation).
• Keep away from sharp objects, naked flames, and sources of puncture.
• This 1m x 10m roll is very lightweight and easy to transport and handle by one person.

Important Considerations

• Not a Primary Weed Barrier (if exposed): While it will inhibit weeds growing from below by separating soil, its primary design is for water flow and soil retention. If soil or organic matter accumulates on top of the fabric (e.g., within a gravel layer), weeds can germinate there. For dedicated, long-term weed control under decorative top layers, consider using it in conjunction with a specific light-duty weed control fabric placed above it, or ensure a sufficient depth of inorganic mulch.
• UV Stability: Nonwoven geotextiles like this are generally not UV stabilised for long-term, permanent exposure to sunlight. They must be covered by soil, aggregate, paving, or other construction layers as soon as practically possible after installation to ensure their intended design life.
• Load Bearing & Ground Stabilisation: This 80gsm fabric has limited tensile strength and is not designed for significant load-bearing or ground stabilisation roles, especially under trafficked areas. Its contribution to stability is primarily through maintaining the integrity of separated layers and ensuring effective drainage. For structural reinforcement or stabilisation, heavier grade geotextiles (and potentially different types like woven geotextiles) are required.
• Aggressive Weeds: Not suitable for controlling invasive rhizomatous weeds like Japanese Knotweed, Marestail, or bamboo; specialist root barrier fabrics are necessary for these.