Waterproofing & Concrete Protection
500 Micron Black DPM Sheeting (Construction Plastic) – 2000 Gauge
500 micron black DPM sheeting (2000 gauge) to SABS SANS 952, double the thickness of standard 250 micron. Built for industrial floors, mining slabs and semi-basements. In 3 m and 6 m widths, delivered across Africa.
Overview
500 Micron SABS Black Construction Sheeting is the heavy-duty damp proof membrane for conditions where standard 250 micron sheeting is not enough. At twice the thickness, it resists puncture from coarse aggregate, reinforcing steel and site traffic during the pour, which matters most on large slabs where the membrane takes a beating before the concrete arrives.
SANS 10021 specifies 500 micron (0,5 mm) polyolefin waterproof sheeting for semi-basement conditions and where hydrostatic pressure levels are minimal, which makes this the grade to use where groundwater sits close to the slab. It is also the usual choice for industrial and warehouse floors, mining plant bases, cold rooms and heavy-duty commercial slabs, and for specifications that call for a membrane above the residential minimum.
The sheeting is black low-density polyethylene made to SANS 952 and carries the SABS mark. It is available in 3 m × 30 m rolls covering 90 m² and 6 m × 30 m rolls covering 180 m², with each roll weighing roughly double the equivalent 250 micron roll, so plan for extra handling on site.
Laying is the same as for standard DPM: a compacted sub-base blinded with at least 50 mm of tamped sand, joints lapped 100 to 150 mm and sealed, edges turned up at perimeter walls, and any punctures patched before the pour. Because this grade is specified where moisture risk is higher, inspect the sheet carefully after the reinforcement is placed.
Also called 2000 gauge polythene, heavy-duty builders plastic or industrial DPM, this grade is held in stock with SABS compliance documentation supplied on every order and delivery to over 30 countries across Africa.
- MaterialLow-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- StructureMono-extruded film
- ColourBlack
- StandardSANS 952 (SABS-marked)
- Roll Width3 m, 6 m
- Roll Length30 m
Typical Properties
| Product | Reference | 250 µm Black | 250 µm Green | 375 & 500 µm Orange | 500 µm Black |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | - | LDPE | LDPE | LDPE | LDPE |
| Standard | SANS 952 | SABS Type F | SABS Type C | SABS Type A | SABS, Type C |
| Nominal Thickness | SANS 952 | 250 µm (0.25 mm) | 250 µm (0.25 mm) | 375 µm (0.375 mm) / 500 µm (0.50 mm) | 500 µm (0.50 mm) |
| Gauge Equivalent | µm × 4 | 1000 gauge | 1000 gauge | 1500 / 2000 gauge | 2000 gauge |
| Specified Use | SANS 10021 | Under-slab DPM on dry sites | Under-slab DPM | Basement and below-ground tanking | Semi-basements and low hydrostatic pressure |
| Minimum Lap | Agrément SA | 100–150 mm (by wall thickness) | 100–150 mm (by wall thickness) | 100–150 mm (by wall thickness) | 100–150 mm (by wall thickness) |
| Sand Blinding | SANS 10021 | ≥ 50 mm, well tamped | ≥ 50 mm, well tamped | ≥ 50 mm, well tamped | ≥ 50 mm, well tamped |
| Joints | SANS 10021 | Lapped, sealed, turned up at walls | Lapped, sealed, turned up at walls | Lapped, sealed | Lapped, sealed, turned up at walls |
| Roll Lengths | - | 30 m, 100 m (jumbo) | 30 m | 30 m | 30 m |
| Roll Widths | - | 3 m, 6 m | 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m | 3 m, 4 m | 3 m, 6 m |
Note: The above specifications represent the product family properties. Please refer to the product datasheet for individual SKU values.
Typical Applications
View all applicationsResidential Construction
250 micron Black DPM laid beneath concrete slabs to prevent rising ground moisture in home foundations and flooring — the standard spec for residential builds.
Mining Facilities
500 micron heavy-duty Black sheeting for mining infrastructure floors and foundations, where puncture and tear resistance under harsh site conditions is critical.
Basement Tanking & Waterproofing
375 micron Hyperlastic Orange SABS Type A membrane installed vertically to waterproof basements and below-grade walls against water ingress and structural damage.
Compatible Systems
View all systems250 Micron Black
Standard-duty SABS Type C sheeting for residential slabs and light commercial DPM. Supplied in 3m x 30m, 6m x 30m, and Jumbo 3m/6m x 100m rolls.
500 Micron Black
Heavy-duty SABS Type C sheeting built for industrial floors, mining infrastructure, and high-load slabs. Supplied in 3m x 30m and 6m x 30m rolls.
375 Micron Hyperlastic Orange
SABS Type A waterproofing membrane for basement tanking and vertical DPC applications. High-visibility orange for easy site identification. Supplied in 4m x 30m rolls.
Green DPM/DPC
Damp proof membrane favoured for its clear visibility on-site during slab pours. Same SABS Type C protection as our Black range, in a colour that's easy to spot and inspect.
Installation Guidance
Standard Method Statement
Lay DPM sheeting in the widest practical widths to minimise the number of joints across the slab area. The membrane should be turned up at the perimeter and dressed against all load-bearing walls, forming a continuous barrier between the ground and the concrete pour — not a series of disconnected sheets. This is the standard laying method for SABS-approved Type C construction sheeting under SABS 952-1:2011.
Where two sheets meet, overlap the joint by a minimum of 100mm and seal it with a compatible jointing tape, pressed down firmly along the full length of the lap
For basement tanking and vertical waterproofing applications, one layer of 375 micron Hyperlastic Orange sheeting is installed bearing SABS 952-1:2011 Type A certification. All joining on this application must be carried out strictly in accordance with the installation instructions supplied with the product - tanking performance is more sensitive to correct sealing than standard under-slab DPM.
Inspect sheeting for punctures or tears caused by reinforcing steel, sharp aggregate, or site traffic before the concrete pour, and patch any damage with matching jointing tape immediately - a single unpatched puncture can compromise the entire moisture barrier. Store and handle rolls to limit unnecessary UV exposure prior to laying, and avoid dragging sheeting over abrasive surfaces during placement.
Quality Assurance & Testing
Field QA/QC Checklist
- Material Conformance: Film thickness (micron) and grade checked against the specification; vapour retarder performance to ASTM E1745 where specified.
- Substrate: Blinding or sand bed level and free of sharp stones.
- Laps & Sealing: Laps of the specified width, sealed with compatible tape; penetrations sealed; installed to ASTM E1643 where specified.
- Protection: Punctures repaired before reinforcement or concrete is placed; no traffic directly on the film.
Manufacturing Standards
- ASTM E1745 vapour retarder specification (where specified)
- ASTM E1643 vapour retarder installation (where specified)
- Manufacturer product data
- SANS 952 (SABS-marked)
Documents
Product Selection Guide
Compare performance properties across the entire category hierarchy before specifying.
Installation & Method Statement
Standard deployment procedures, installation specifications, and field application method statements.
QA/QC Site Checklist
Field quality control procedures, inspection checklists, and testing standards to verify installation integrity.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Guaranteed minimum average roll values (MARV) and material testing properties.
Chemical Resistance / Accessories Guide
Chemical compatibility matrix and list of auxiliary materials needed for installation.
Projects Using 500 Micron Black DPM Sheeting (Construction Plastic) – 2000 Gauge
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