Method for making a support and drainage structure for floor covering and related structure, and drainage device

Abstract

A method for constructing an exterior floor covering on a concrete base (2) with a slope, a support structure, and drainage (1), comprising plastic drainage devices (4) arranged in continuous parallel and spaced lines, and longitudinal mortar elements (11) laid in situ, overlapping the drainage devices (4) in lines, except for the longitudinal edges (43, 44) of said devices. Paving tiles (30) are laid and bonded over the longitudinal elements (11) without the application of a sealant joint. The drainage devices (4) are in particular in the form of drainage slabs with raised support elements that create voids between them for the passage of water under the drainage slabs, and the upper surface (41) includes through-holes.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method of constructing a support and drainage structure on a concrete base (generally called a concrete slab), for an outdoor floor covering, in particular for tiling, and a support and drainage structure for implementing the method, as well as a drainage device enabling in particular the implementation of the method and the support and drainage structure.

[0002] The method for creating the support and drainage structure, and the entire structure for installing the flooring, is a bonded installation, not a dry-lay method. To install an exterior floor covering, such as a terrace, on a concrete slab, it is common practice to pour a screed over the entire surface of the concrete slab to create the support structure for the flooring. Then, the flooring, such as ceramic tiles, is bonded to the screed by covering the entire underside of the tiles with tile adhesive. Finally, grout is applied at the tile joints to ensure a watertight seal. However, to eliminate moisture from the mortar bed and tile joints, it is advisable to add a drainage membrane, typically made of plastic, such as polypropylene, at the interface between the poured screed and the tiles, using a well-established method.The drainage membrane is flexible because it comes in the form of a sheet that can be unrolled and cut to the desired length. This type of membrane has perforations running through its thickness and a textured surface. The raised areas of this texture act as a bearing surface against the screed and define channels for draining water that has infiltrated through the perforations. The screed, of course, has a slope to allow the water to flow away. The upper surface of the membrane, to which the flooring is bonded, can also be covered with a non-woven felt that promotes mechanical bonding of the tile adhesive.

[0003] However, over time, the joints in the coating can deteriorate, and infiltrating water may not drain away quickly enough, even with a drainage system. This weakens the materials and can lead to cracking. Furthermore, calcite can seep through the joints, causing whitish stains on the coating. Additionally, cleaning with a high-pressure jet should be avoided as this can damage the joints.

[0004] Furthermore, within the framework of sustainable development, there is an even greater emphasis on reducing the amount of materials used for earthworks. However, pouring a screed over the entire surface of the concrete footing and completely covering it with the aforementioned membrane does not contribute to this objective in any way.

[0005] Furthermore, patent EP2216459B1 describes flexible receptacles that eliminate the need for a screed and allow for the creation of mortar lumps to be spread on the floor, onto which open-jointed paving slabs are then bonded. Each flexible receptacle is shaped like a bowl, comprising a lower face that rests on the floor and a side wall. The lower face has slots opening onto the side wall for water drainage. The upper edge of the side wall forms a peripheral support for a grid designed to hold a mortar lump. These relatively flexible receptacles, and the mortar spread in very localized lumps, create a laying structure for the paving slabs, similar to pedestals. However, these pedestals prove insufficiently rigid over time and can subside in certain areas, especially since water can stagnate in the hollow space of the bowl beneath the mortar.

[0006] The invention therefore aims to propose a method and implementation structure for support and drainage which reduces the amount of materials used, and also to offer a new efficient drainage device without the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] According to the invention, the method for constructing a support and drainage structure for outdoor flooring on a concrete base with a slope, in particular a slope of at least 1 cm per meter, comprises the use of at least one drainage device made of plastic and is characterized by the following steps: arrangement and fixing (preferably directly) on the concrete footing of a plurality of drainage devices which are distributed over the surface of the concrete footing in continuous parallel and spaced lines, each drainage device forming a rigid thickness support (and solid like a pad or a slab) and with longitudinal edges and comprising, on a so-called lower face, spaced relief elements with a function of supporting the device on the concrete footing and leaving between them empty spaces for the passage of water, and in the (solid) thickness (and therefore on the so-called upper face opposite to the lower face), through orifices allowing the passage of water by gravity from the upper face to the lower face;in situ construction (directly on the upper (solid) face of the drainage devices) of long, linear elements, hereinafter referred to as stringers (made of mortar to constitute a mortar support surface), each having two opposing longitudinal edges, the stringers covering the drainage devices in lines except for the longitudinal edges of said devices (i.e., the longitudinal edges of the stringers are set back or plumb (without protruding) from two opposing longitudinal edges of the drainage devices); and the spacing between two adjacent stringers being adapted so that said two stringers serve as a support for sealing a piece of covering laid on top (such as a tile fixed in particular by adhesive mortar).

[0008] The invention also relates to a support and drainage structure for floor coverings, in particular a support and drainage structure for implementing the aforementioned method of the invention on a sloping concrete footing, comprising a plurality of drainage devices (in particular such as those of the invention described below) which are arranged (distributed over the surface of the concrete footing) along continuous parallel and spaced lines, each drainage device forming a rigid (and solid) thickness support (constituting a solid rigid slab) with longitudinal edges and comprising, on a so-called lower face, spaced raised elements for bearing the device on the concrete footing and providing between them void spaces for the passage of water, and in the thickness, through orifices allowing the passage of water by gravity from the so-called upper face to the lower face, elongated elements referred to below as stringers having two opposite longitudinal edges, the stringers (having been made in situ) covering in lines the drainage devices (covering all of the drainage devices) except for the longitudinal edges of said drainage devices, and the spacing between two adjacent stringers being adapted so that said two stringers serve as a support for the sealing of cladding pieces intended to be laid on top and glued.

[0009] Therefore, the installation method does not require a mortar screed (common in prior art) extending over the entire surface of the concrete slab to support the tiles, but only stringers that support the tiles by straddling the stringers. These elongated tile support elements create a larger bearing surface than simple pedestals, and, combined with drainage systems that have a rigid surface and directly accommodate the mortar stringers across their entire surface, they guarantee a stable and durable bearing surface for the tiles over time, while limiting the volume of mortar that would have been required if a mortar screed had been poured.Similarly, drainage is achieved using methods that are limited in surface area, and therefore in the quantity of material required, since the drainage systems do not cover the entire tiled floor area but are placed locally and in a limited area beneath the foundation beams. Furthermore, constructing the foundation beams in situ allows for perfect adaptation to the size of the project, as the beams are custom-sized.

[0010] Thus, the process and implementation method allow for significant savings in the quantity of mortar required, while still ensuring efficient bonding of the tiles and excellent drainage. For example, for a 50 m² surface area, the required quantity of materials (sand and cement) can be halved.

[0011] Furthermore, the drainage systems are arranged below the foundation beams, not above them. This ensures that water does not stagnate above the mortar surface (as with a screed in earlier construction) but is instead drained directly to the concrete footing via the drainage systems, which rest directly upon it. The foundation beams rest directly on the solid surface of the drainage systems. By having two opposing longitudinal edges that are set back and / or at most vertical to two opposing edges of the drainage systems, the foundation beams are designed to extend beyond the beams. This allows water, flowing by gravity through the porous cement mortar beams, to infiltrate the drainage systems and reach the sloping concrete footing, which then carries the water away from the structure.

[0012] The stringers are not prefabricated elements, nor elements that rest high on spaced pads at two ends like joists, but elements that are made on site (on the construction site) by pulling mortar and that rest on the drainage devices over their entire surface (except for at least one of the longitudinal edges, preferably except for the longitudinal edges of said drainage devices).

[0013] It should be noted that raised paving tiles are never at risk of coming into contact with standing water. Furthermore, the surface dries quickly after installation. Only the concrete footing needs to be sloped for water runoff, while the paving surface itself can be level, providing an aesthetically pleasing finish and allowing for covering all thresholds in a house. This also avoids the need to compensate for height differences, for example, between two ends of a wall when the paving is perpendicular and runs the length of the wall. Ideally, to ensure the paving tiles are horizontal and level, the top surface of the stringers is leveled; the stringers are constructed so that their top surface matches the slope of the concrete footing.This also has the advantage of manufacturing the stringers on site and adapting to the slope and dimensions of the final structure.

[0014] According to one characteristic, the stringers have their longitudinal direction in the direction of the slope of the concrete footing.

[0015] According to one characteristic, the spacing between two stringers is at most the width of a stringer (the width being the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a stringer). Thus, the bearing width of a cladding element supported astride two adjacent stringers is greater than or equal to half the length of a cladding element extending from one stringer to the adjacent one, which guarantees the cladding's strength.

[0016] Preferably, when the facing tiles are rectangular, they are intended to be laid with their long sides perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stringers.

[0017] According to one characteristic, each stringer has a longitudinal centerline and the spacing between two centerlines of two adjacent stringers corresponds approximately to the length of a cladding piece that is intended to straddle the two stringers.

[0018] According to one characteristic, the stringers are in a porous structural material, in particular based on mortar comprising sand and cement, preferably the mortar being dosed with a quantity of cement greater than that of a traditional cement mortar screed, such as according to a cement dosage greater than 180 kg / m 3< .

[0019] According to one characteristic, the stringers are made of mortar comprising cement and sand, and the through-holes of the drainage system are smaller in diameter than the grain size of the sand used in the mortar. Specifically, the holes are no more than 4 mm in diameter.

[0020] According to one characteristic, each of the drainage devices has a perforated longitudinal groove with through holes, the perforated groove being at the midline (the middle) of a stringer.

[0021] According to one characteristic, the process includes a step of bonding a covering in the form of multiple covering pieces, preferably ceramic tiles at least 20 mm thick. These covering pieces are separated by gaps that remain open over time (free of a sealant joint). Preferably, the covering pieces are level in a horizontal plane (by leveling the top surface of the stringers). Thus, the covering on the supporting structure is free of a sealant joint. Water necessarily passes through the gaps in the covering pieces, through the porous mortar stringers, to the drainage devices, and then onto the concrete footing, particularly between the stringers, before finally flowing away from the concrete footing along its slope.Furthermore, the absence of joints allows for even less material consumption. Maintenance of the surface is also simplified; it can be pressure-washed without risk of damaging the joints, as water drains away at the concrete base without pooling. In addition, the structure benefits from ventilation, which accelerates drying. Finally, unlike a conventional structure with joints, which offers very little resistance to bending, the structure can withstand temperature changes without deterioration.

[0022] Advantageously, the drainage devices are molded drainage slabs which each include, in a single piece, male-female shapes for assembling drainage slabs together and / or include breakable parts for cutting a drainage slab to a smaller surface.

[0023] Depending on a characteristic, the plastic material of the drainage devices is chosen from the following plastic materials: polyurethane (PU), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), mixture of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene (HDPE / LDPE), and polypropylene (PP).

[0024] According to one characteristic, a drainage device (a drainage slab) has a hardness suitable to withstand a minimum compression of 500 kg / m², while being flexible enough to conform to the imperfections of the concrete footing after the installation of the stringers.

[0025] The invention also relates to a plastic drainage device, in particular for a support and drainage structure of the aforementioned invention or the implementation of the aforementioned method of the invention, the drainage device conforming to the following characteristics.

[0026] In its operating position, the drainage system extends continuously across the concrete footing, or discontinuously when used for the aforementioned support and drainage method and structure of the invention. In discontinuous use, the drainage systems form localized surface areas in the form of drainage slabs (but do not constitute raised plastic blocks).

[0027] According to the invention, the drainage device has a (solid) thickness and two opposing faces, referred to as lower and upper, the lower face comprising raised elements with a support function (for the device) and spaced to create voids between them (intended for the passage of water under the device in its installed position), and comprising in its thickness through-holes (for conveying water from the upper face to the lower face), characterized in that it forms a rigid slab (and not a sheet) (constituting a solid and rigid support) and the upper face (with a solid surface) has an inclined surface and at least one groove which is perforated by the through-holes (the groove has a solid bottom (and does not constitute a longitudinal slot) with through-holes which are spaced according to the length of the groove), the inclined surface opening onto the perforated groove,Preferably, said slab shall have at least one perforated groove extending continuously from one edge (called the transverse edge) to an opposite (transverse) edge of the device. A "rigid slab" is understood to be a structural element that cannot bend and / or curl (unlike a sheet), that is, a structural element that is sufficiently thick and hard to prevent bending and / or curling. According to one characteristic, the rigid slab is solid, unlike the receptacle or hollow bowl of patent EP2216459B1. According to another characteristic, the rigid slab is monolithic (by directly attaching the elongated (mortar) elements to its surface). The rigid slab thus provides homogeneous and stable support for the elongated mortar element across the entire upper surface of said slab, except for one or two longitudinal edges of said slab (for water drainage). According to one characteristic, the rigid slab is of solid thickness across its entire surface.

[0028] According to one characteristic, the inclined surface comprises at least one inclined face, preferably two inclined faces which extend over the entire upper face and which are inclined (inwards from the device) from two opposite edges of the device until they meet along a median line which constitutes said at least one perforated groove.

[0029] According to one characteristic, the upper surface of the sloping surface (in particular the two sloping sides) is textured by providing an alternation of parallel grooves and ribs that open onto at least one perforated groove; preferably, the grooves and ribs are oblique to the perforated groove. In particular, the alternation of grooves and ribs, viewed from above, forms parallel chevrons across the entire upper surface, the points of the chevrons (V-shapes) being aligned to form the perforated groove. The ribs advantageously serve as a bonding surface for the mortar of the stringers.

[0030] According to one characteristic, the drainage slab is oblong, preferably rectangular, and includes, perpendicular to said shape, at least one perforated groove, one or more spaced transverse lines (preferably solid) that are breakable (preferably by reducing the thickness of the slab at these transverse lines) so as to delimit within the drainage slab several sections called individual drainage pads, which can be separated individually or in groups (to form a drainage slab with a smaller surface area). This allows the length of the slab to be adapted by easily cutting it.

[0031] According to one characteristic, the drainage slab is generally parallelepiped in shape and delimited by edges, and has on at least two opposite edges, preferably on each of its edges, mutually cooperating male-female forms, in particular two perpendicular adjacent edges having male forms while the other two opposite adjacent edges have female forms. The male-female forms serve, in particular, to assemble several drainage slabs or drainage pads, notably in one direction and / or another, particularly in a single direction intended to correspond to the longitudinal direction of a foundation beam to be manufactured.

[0032] According to one characteristic, a drainage slab is produced by molding, preferably the plastic material being chosen from the following plastic materials, PU, ​​HDPE, HDPE / LDPE, and PP.

[0033] Therefore, the method for creating a support and drainage structure according to the invention has the particularity of providing a support structure that is discontinuous with respect to the concrete footing, not covering it entirely like a conventional screed, thus saving on the quantity of material used. The method is particularly applicable to a ceramic tile covering at least 20 mm thick. As for the drainage device of the invention, it is not limited to the method of creating a discontinuous support and drainage structure (not covering the entire footing) and can be used to create a so-called continuous support and drainage structure, which covers the entire footing, when floor coverings other than ceramic tiles at least 20 mm thick are used.In particular, coverings with natural stone slabs require, for good bonding of the slabs, a continuous support structure extending over the entire concrete base, or ceramic tiles less than 20 mm thick require, to avoid weakening them, a similarly continuous support structure extending over the entire base; however, the particular drainage device of the invention can also be used.

[0034] In the following description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom" are used in the context of a normal installation of the structure placed on a horizontal floor.

[0035] The present invention is now described by means of purely illustrative and in no way limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying illustrations, in which: [Fig. 1 ] represents a partial top perspective view of a support and drainage structure for laying tiles, being constructed on a concrete base according to the method of the invention, and showing a preferred (non-limiting) embodiment of the drainage device. Fig. 2 [ ] is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the support and drainage structure of the figure 1 and covered with tiles. Fig. 3 [ ] shows a top perspective view of a drainage device of the figure 1 This drainage system is presented here as an illustrative and preferred example: a rectangular drainage slab comprising a group of three identical drainage pads, which can be cut lengthwise and transversely if necessary. Fig. 4 [ ] is a partial view from below of the drainage slab of the figure 3 . [ Fig. 5 [ ] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drainage slab of the figure 3 . [ Fig. 6 ] illustrates a top perspective view of an example of a drainage system of a suitable length and width, assembled from a plurality of drainage slabs and drainage pads conforming to the figure 3 . [ Fig. 7 ] corresponds to a schematic cross-sectional view of a support and drainage structure according to the invention incorporating another example of an embodiment of a drainage device.

[0036] The figures are not to scale to facilitate reading.

[0037] THE figures 1 et 2 illustrate a preferred example of a support and drainage structure 1 according to the invention to be constructed on a concrete footing (concrete slab) 2 having a typical slope of at least 1 cm / meter. The structure 1 serves to support and drain an exterior floor covering 3, such as tiles, to form a structure such as, for example, a terrace.

[0038] The support and drainage structure 1 comprises a mortar (cement mortar) surface 10 and a plurality of plastic drainage devices 4 arranged beneath the mortar surface 10. Depending on the weight and type of coating, the structure 1 will have a design variation in its surface area but will utilize the drainage devices 4, which will be systematically arranged beneath the mortar surface 10. The preferred example of the invention of a drainage device 4 is illustrated in detail in the figures 3 à 5 .

[0039] According to a first configuration of the process, illustrated on the figures 1 à 3 and on the figure 7 , when the coating 3 is tiling made of ceramic tiles 30 and at least 20 mm thick, the structure 1 is advantageously discontinuous, that is to say that it does not extend in one piece over the whole surface of the base 2. This first configuration of the structure 1 is the preferred embodiment of the invention and the one described in all the figures because it uses much less material, both in mortar and in drainage devices 4 of the invention for the structure 1, and in adhesive mortar for the bonding of the tiles 30 (because less surface to be bonded).This discontinuous structure 1 comprises a mortar surface 10 which includes, on the one hand, a plurality of longline elements 11 of the stringer type extending over the footing 2 in lines, preferably continuous, parallel and spaced providing intercalated volumes 12 empty, and on the other hand, drainage devices 4 arranged in lines (preferably in continuous lines if the stringers are in continuous lines) under the whole surface of the stringers 11 while being at the right of or overhanging at least one of the edges (one of the sides) of each stringer and along the whole length of each stringer. The stringers 11 form support and fixing surfaces for the tiles 30 according to partial bearing areas in relation to the surface of each tile because the tiles 30 are arranged straddling two adjacent stringers 11, the interstitial volumes 12 of void extending under part of the tiles.

[0040] Alternatively, according to a second embodiment of the process, which is not illustrated, the structure 1 is continuous and extends monolithically over the entire surface of the base 2, the mortar surface 10 extending over the entire surface of the base 2 (like a conventional screed of the prior art), with the drainage devices 4 of the invention extending over the entire area of ​​the mortar surface 10, but nevertheless interfacing with the base 2, and under the mortar surface 10. This second configuration of the mortar surface 10, referred to as continuous, provides a screed configuration to support a covering that is either thinner than 20 mm tiles and could easily break if the load-bearing surface via the structure 1 did not extend over the entire surface of the tiles, or too heavy, such as stone slabs which, for safety, would require a load-bearing surface corresponding to the entire surface of the stone slabs.In this second design, the support and drainage structure 1 will include the drainage devices 4 illustrated on the . figures 3 à 6 .

[0041] The method for implementing the invention described below is dedicated to the creation of a discontinuous support and drainage structure 1 (first configuration). The figure 1 diagram shows the discontinuous support and drainage structure 1 under construction, one of the stringers 11 not going to the end of the drainage device 4 to facilitate understanding of the structure.

[0042] The process for constructing the discontinuous support and drainage structure 1 comprises the following steps: arrangement and fixing on the concrete footing 2 of a plurality of drainage devices 4 which are distributed over the surface of the footing 2 in continuous parallel and spaced lines, each drainage device 4 having the functions of support and drainage for a stringer 11 and presenting ( figures 3 and) a thickness 40 and two opposing faces called upper 41 (face facing the stringers) and lower 42 (face opposite the stringers) connected by said thickness 40, the upper face 41 and the thickness 40 comprising through openings 40A allowing the passage of water by gravity from the upper face to the lower face, and the lower face 42 comprising raised elements 42A which constitute support points of said drainage device 4 against the footing 2 and which provide between them void spaces 42B for the flow of water; in situ construction of the stringers 11 which cover the drainage devices 4 except at least at one edge, preferably except at two opposing edges called longitudinal edges 43 and 44 of the drainage devices and along the longitudinal direction of the stringers 11 ( figures 1, 2 , And 7) ; and the spacing between two adjacent stringers 11 being adapted so that said two stringers 11 serve as a sealing support for a cladding piece 30 (of a tile 30).

[0043] Thus, the drainage devices 4 which are arranged under the mortar surface 10 (the stringers 11) allow the water which has infiltrated into the mortar surface - the stringers 11 - to be evacuated from this mortar layer by being drained to the concrete footing 2 which, by its slope, will allow the water to flow to the outer edge of the distal end of the footing, outside the structure. In particular, the water descends by gravity through the mortar stringers 11 (porous material) to the upper surface 41 of the drainage devices 4, passes through the through orifices 40A and reaches under the lower face 42 in the pathway spaces 42B and finally drains away via the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 which open onto the footing 2. Therefore, the water does not stagnate under the tiling in the mortar layer.

[0044] Furthermore, the discontinuous support and drainage structure 1 and its construction method provide multiple advantages, including: a reduction in the quantity of materials needed for the construction of the structure, such as a saving of 30 to 50% of materials compared to a traditional construction, very efficient water drainage by the concrete base, rapid drying of the structure which allows durability and easy maintenance, very significant expansion of the structure without permanent alteration of it, a structure without the installation of a sealing joint on the coating, which also allows high-pressure cleaning without risk of infiltration, installation of the coating in a perfectly horizontal plane (without having to create a slope), which allows all the thresholds of a house to be covered.

[0045] The drainage devices 4 are made of rigid plastic. They preferably have a thickness of at least 20 mm. They are rigid in that they cannot curl up like a sheet of drainage material. Each of the drainage devices 4 has a hardness suitable for withstanding a minimum compression of 500 kg / m², while being flexible enough to conform to imperfections in the concrete footing 2 after the construction (in situ fabrication and on the drainage device) of a foundation beam 11.

[0046] The drainage devices 4 are fixed to the concrete footing 2. They are fixed, for example, by adhesive or anchor points. The drainage devices 4 are spaced and arranged in parallel, spaced lines. The drainage devices 4 are fixed to the footing 2 and serve (in addition to their drainage function) as markers and reference points for constructing the foundation beams 11 in situ. These beams must be constructed in parallel lines and must not extend beyond the drainage devices.

[0047] A drainage system 4 is used to construct the discontinuous structure 1 in the form of a continuous strip. Preferably, this strip is formed from a plurality of rectangular drainage slabs 4A, 4B, etc., one of which is illustrated in the diagram. figure 3 and described in more detail below. The drainage slabs 4A, 4B, etc. are butted together in line to obtain the required length, and preferably coupled via male-female mutual cooperation forms 45 and 46 as explained below. The drainage slabs 4A, 4B, etc. can also be butted together perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction to obtain the desired width.

[0048] The stringers 11 are arranged in parallel and spaced rows. Their longitudinal direction preferably runs in the direction of the slope of the concrete footing 2. The stringers 11 directly support the tiles 30. The tiles 30 are fixed to the upper face 110 of the stringers 11, opposite the drainage devices 4, using adhesive mortar. Optionally, a layer of fibrous insulating material may be placed between the upper face 110 of the stringers and the tiles 30.

[0049] Each longitudinal member 11 has a parallelepiped body ( figure 2 ) comprising the upper face 110, an opposite lower face 111, and opposite longitudinal edges or sides 112 and 113. Each stringer 11 extends from one end to the other of the footing 2. Each stringer 11 extends continuously over the length of the footing 2. Alternatively, a stringer 11 may be discontinuous.

[0050] Each beam 11 is made of mortar, preferably fiber-reinforced. Preferably, the mortar has a higher cement content than a traditional screed mortar. Preferably, the mortar has a cement content of at least 180 kg / m³. Each beam 11 is manufactured on-site. The mortar is slurred (there is no need for formwork since it is sufficiently loaded) and once the shape of the stringer is made, it is cut at the level of its longitudinal edges (vertical edges) 112 and 113, vertically or slightly recessed from the associated drainage device 4 so that the drainage device 4 is not covered on its longitudinal edge(s) 43 and 44 to allow the water to be evacuated outside the drainage device 4. Each longitudinal edge 43, 44 of a drainage device 4 is therefore either at the level of the longitudinal edge 112, 113 of a stringer 11, or in overhang of this edge of stringer.

[0051] As shown on the figure 1 Each stringer 11 has a longitudinal median line X, and the distance between two median lines of two adjacent stringers 11 corresponds approximately to the length of a tile 30 that is glued across the two stringers. When the tiles 30 are rectangular, their long sides are perpendicular to the stringers 11 and their short sides are parallel to the stringers, the gap 31 separating the short sides of two adjacent tiles being vertically aligned with the median line X of the stringers.

[0052] The width of each stringer 11 is preferably identical. The width of a stringer 11 depends on the size of the tiles 30. The width L1+L2 ( figure 2 ) the load-bearing capacity of a tile 30 supported astride two adjacent stringers 11 is greater than or equal to half the length of a tile 30 extending from one stringer to the adjacent one, which guarantees the resistance of the coating.

[0053] As a non-limiting example, for a tile 30 of 1200 mm in length, the width of a stringer 11 is 600 mm and the spacing d ( figure 2 The distance between two adjacent stringers 11 (from one longitudinal edge 112 of a stringer to the longitudinal edge 113 opposite an adjacent stringer) is between 500 and 600 mm. The gap 31 between the tiles is, for example, 2 mm. The bearing width L1+L2 of each tile 30 is twice 300 mm, or 600 mm.

[0054] Advantageously, there is no need to install a sealing joint in the gaps 31. This is actually preferable; the water will not stagnate and will fall at the level of the stringers 11 to flow through the drainage devices 4, as well as in the intercalated volumes 12 empty between the stringers 11, and will be evacuated following the slope of the concrete footing 2.

[0055] The stringers 11 must largely cover the drainage devices 4, which nevertheless have their longitudinal edges 43 and 44 that are vertical or extend beyond the longitudinal edges 112 and 113 of the stringers 11. figures 1 et 2 show that one of the longitudinal edges 112 is vertical (plumb) to the drainage devices 4, while the other longitudinal edge 113 of the stringers is set back from the associated longitudinal edge 44 of the drainage devices 4 (the longitudinal edge 44 of a drainage device protrudes from and below the longitudinal edge 113 of the associated stringer). The figure 7 illustrates drainage devices 4 which protrude from the two longitudinal edges 112 and 113 of the stringers 11.

[0056] Drainage devices 4 are manufactured by molding. Their plastic material is preferably chosen from the following materials: PU, HDPE, HDPE / LDPE, and PP.

[0057] To ensure good support of the drainage system 4 (drainage slab) against the footing 2 and a good load-bearing structure for the stringers 11, the raised support elements 42A on the lower face 42 are regularly distributed over the surface ( figure 4 Furthermore, the raised support elements 42A are connected by rigid connecting elements 42C, which are shorter than the raised support elements (the raised elements 42A protrude beyond the connecting elements 42C). The connecting elements 42C act as stiffeners or reinforcing arches. Water is intended to flow under the connecting elements 42C and between the raised support elements 42A, in the gaps 42B. Preferably, the raised support elements 42A form support points at the intersection of spaced, parallel lines that are both parallel to the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 and perpendicular to them, thus forming quadrilaterals (squares and rectangles). The connecting elements 42C correspond to the sides of the quadrilaterals, and the raised support elements 42A are located at the corners of these quadrilaterals.Furthermore and advantageously, the raised elements 42 have a right-angled geometry at the intersection of the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 and the perpendicular lines of the connecting elements 42C.

[0058] To simplify the manufacture and transport to the construction site of the drainage devices 4, and to adapt to the desired length and width of the drainage device strips 4, several identical drainage slabs 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, etc. are manufactured. figure 6 ) which each corresponds, possibly before cutting, to the drainage slab of the figure 3 according to a defined length and width and are then assembled together.

[0059] As a non-limiting example, the dimensions of a 4A drainage slab are as follows: 600 mm long (also along the longitudinal direction of a stringer 11) and 200 mm wide (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a stringer), and 20 mm thick.

[0060] Advantageously, the drainage slab 4A (like every other drainage slab 4B, 4C, etc.) is molded into a single piece with mutually cooperating shapes at its edges for assembly with other drainage slabs. In particular, the mutually cooperating shapes are of the type male shapes 45 and female shapes 46 as seen in the figures 3 And 4 It is therefore possible to adapt the length of a drainage system by assembling another drainage slab 4B at the distal end of drainage slab 4A. It will also be possible to extend a drainage system laterally by adding drainage slabs 4C and 4D laterally to drainage slabs 4A and 4B.

[0061] Preferably, the male forms 45 are arranged on a longitudinal edge 44 of the drainage slab and on an adjacent transverse edge 44'. The male forms 45 protrude from the thickness 40 and are coplanar with the lower face 42 of the drainage slab. The female forms 46 are arranged on the opposite longitudinal edge 43 and on the other adjacent transverse edge 43'. The female forms 46 form slots in the thickness 40. The male forms 45 cooperate with the slots 46 to fit under the lower face 42 and are held by the thickness 40 of the drainage slab on each side of the slots.

[0062] Furthermore, the drainage slab 4A (like other drainage slabs) advantageously includes sections that can be cut transversely along its length by parallel and spaced cutting lines 47 that are perpendicular to the length (the strip) of the drainage slab. The cutting lines 47 create individual, cuttable drainage pads 4'. In the example shown on the figure 3 The drainage slab 4A has three 4' drainage pads. Each 4' drainage pad is rectangular. Alternatively, the 4' drainage pads could be square. On the figure 6 , two drainage slabs 4E and 4F were added to increase the length and width of drainage slabs 4A to 4D, having previously cut along a cutting line 47 an individual drainage pad 4' to retain only two for each drainage slab 4E and 4F.

[0063] As an example, the cutting line 47 is advantageously provided by a reduced thickness of the drainage slab in various places 48 on the lower face 42, located to draw parallel lines ( figure 4 ).

[0064] Furthermore, the drainage slab 4A or each drainage pad 4' can be cut lengthwise along a center line corresponding to a perforated line 49 with through holes 40A, as explained later. Again, this lengthwise cutability allows for even better adaptation to the width of the drainage system 4. Preferably, the perforated line 49 forms a perforated groove 41 on its upper face to collect water like a gutter.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the drainage slab 4A and drainage device 4, as seen on the figure 5 The drainage device 4 has an inclined surface on its upper face 41, specifically a double slope created by two inclined sections 41A and 41B extending from each of the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 and converging towards the middle at the perforated groove 49. The bottom of the groove 49 has through holes 40. The groove 49 collects, like a gutter, the water flowing down the slopes of the sections 41A and 41B. Without limiting the design, the double slope 41A, 41B is, for example, such that the thickness 40 of the drainage slab (and therefore of the drainage device) is 20 mm at the edges 43 and 44 and is only 10 mm at the central groove 49.

[0066] Furthermore, the inclined upper surface 41, and in particular the two inclined sections 41A and 41B, is textured by providing an alternation of parallel grooves 49A and ribs 49B that open onto at least one perforated groove 49. Preferably, the grooves 49A and the ribs 49B are oriented obliquely with respect to the perforated groove 49. The alternation of the grooves and ribs, viewed from above, forms chevrons—inverted V-shapes—parallel to one another across the entire upper surface, the points of the chevrons (of the Vs) being aligned to form the perforated groove 49. The grooves 49A serve to channel water to the perforated groove 49. The ribs 49B advantageously serve to provide a bond for the mortar of the stringers 11.

[0067] There figure 7Diagram 4 illustrates another example of the implementation of a drainage system and drainage slab. The drainage system 4 comprises multiple through-holes 40A distributed across its thickness and upper surface 41, without necessarily any slope, while maintaining a sufficient solid surface area to ensure the required rigidity of the drainage system. In yet another variant, slopes and drainage channels could be incorporated into the upper face, converging and opening onto the longitudinal edges 43 and 44 of the drainage system, while still including through-holes 40A.

Claims

1. Method for constructing an exterior floor covering on a concrete base (2) with a slope, a support structure and drainage (1), comprising the use of at least one drainage device (4) made of plastic material, characterized bythe following steps: - arrangement and fixing on the concrete footing of a plurality of drainage devices (4) which are distributed on the surface of the concrete footing according to continuous parallel and spaced lines, each drainage device (4) forming a rigid thickness support with longitudinal edges (43, 44) and comprising, on a so-called lower face, spaced relief elements (42A) with a function of supporting the device on the concrete footing (2) and leaving between them empty spaces (42B) for the passage of water, and in the thickness, through orifices (40A) allowing the passage of water by gravity from the upper face to the lower face); - in situ production of long, linear elements (11) called stringers, each having two opposite longitudinal edges (112, 113), the stringers (11) covering in lines the drainage devices (4) except for the longitudinal edges (43, 44) of said devices;and - the spacing (12) between two adjacent stringers (11) being adapted so that said two stringers serve as a sealing support for a cladding piece.; 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the spacing between two stringers (11) is at most the width of one stringer.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Each stringer (11) has a longitudinal median line and the spacing between two median lines of two adjacent stringers (11) corresponds substantially to the length of a cladding piece (30) which is intended to straddle the two stringers (11).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatThe stringers (11) are made of a porous structural material, in particular a mortar-based material comprising sand and cement, preferably the mortar having a higher cement content than a traditional cement mortar screed, such as a cement content greater than 180 kg / m³ 3 .

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stringers (11) are made of mortar comprising cement and sand and the through orifices (40A) of the drainage device (4) are of a diameter less than the grain size of the sand used in the mortar.

6. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that Each of the drainage devices (4) has a perforated longitudinal groove (49) with through holes (40A), the perforated groove (49) being at the midline of a stringer (11).

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a step of bonding a coating (3) which is in the form of a multiplicity of coating pieces (30), preferably ceramic tiles (30) at least 20 mm thick, and in that the cladding pieces (30) are separated by gaps (31) left empty, preferably the cladding pieces (30) being level in a horizontal plane.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The drainage devices (4) are molded drainage slabs (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) which each comprise, in a single piece, male-female forms (45, 46) for assembling drainage slabs together and / or breakable parts (48, 49) for cutting a drainage slab according to a smaller surface.

9. Support and drainage structure (1) for floor covering, in particular a support and drainage structure for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims on a sloping concrete footing (2), comprising: - a plurality of drainage devices (4) made of plastic material arranged in continuous parallel and spaced lines, each drainage device (4) forming a rigid support with longitudinal edges (43, 44) and comprising, on a so-called lower face, spaced raised elements (42A) for supporting the device and providing voids (42B) between them, and through holes (40A) allowing the passage of water, - long, narrow elements (11) called stringers having two opposing longitudinal edges (112, 113), the stringers (11) covering the drainage devices (4) in lines except for the longitudinal edges (43, 44) of said drainage devices,and - the spacing (12) between two adjacent stringers (11) being adapted so that said two stringers serve as a support for sealing cladding pieces intended to be laid astride and glued.

10. Drainage device (4) made of plastic material, in particular for implementing the process according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or for making the support and drainage structure (1) according to claim 9, the drainage device having a thickness (40) and two opposite faces called lower (42) and upper (41), the lower face (42) comprising raised elements (42A) with a support function and spaced to leave empty spaces (42B) between them, and comprising in its thickness through holes (40A), characterized in thatIt forms a rigid slab and the upper face (41) has an inclined surface (41A, 41B) and at least one groove (49) which is perforated by the through holes (40A), the inclined surface opening onto the perforated groove (49), preferably the perforated groove (49) extending continuously from one edge (43) to an opposite edge (44) of the device.

11. Drainage device according to claim 10, characterized in that the inclined surface comprises two sides (41A, 41B) which extend over the entire upper face (41) and which are inclined from two opposite edges of the device until they meet along a median line which constitutes said at least one perforated groove (49).

12. Drainage device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in thatthe upper face (41) of inclined surface is textured by providing an alternation of parallel grooves (49A) and ribs (49B) which open onto said at least one perforated groove (49), preferably the grooves and ribs are in an oblique direction with respect to the perforated groove.

13. Drainage device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the drainage slab is oblong, preferably rectangular, and includes, perpendicular to said at least one perforated groove (49), one or more spaced transverse lines (47) which are breakable so as to delimit in the drainage slab several parts called individual drainage pads (4') which can be separated individually or in groups.

14. Drainage device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in thatthe drainage slab is generally parallelepiped in shape and delimited by edges, and has on at least two opposite edges (43, 44), preferably on each of its edges (43, 44, 43', 44'), forms of mutual cooperation (46, 47) of the male-female type, in particular two adjacent perpendicular edges (43, 44) having male forms (46) while the two other adjacent opposite edges (43', 44') have female forms (47).

15. Drainage device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a drainage slab (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) is produced by molding, preferably the plastic material being chosen from the following plastic materials, PU, ​​HDPE, HDPE / LDPE, and PP.

Images