Basement Waterproofing in London – The Process Explained

The Victorian era saw cellars become very fashionable, which may have been due to the high cost of land; when building a house, you can only go so high, but adding a basement level adds significant living space. Terraced houses often rent out the basement as a studio flat, which helps to pay the mortgage, yet there are dangers when building underground, mainly damp and mould.

Basement Tanking

A much-needed service, basement waterproofing in London can be completed using waterproof plaster and render. The walls and ceilings would be stripped of old plaster and a sealant coat thickly applied, when this is dry, further coats of waterproof plaster are added, making sure each coat is fully dry before adding another. If the floors, ceiling and walls are all treated in this manner, you can rest assured that the interior will remain dry.

Cavity Drainage System

This is the best solution for a basement in a low-lying area, where water is present. The walls, floors and ceiling are stripped of plaster and studded membrane panels are fitted, which creates a cavity between the exterior wall and water is channelled through grooves in the floor that lead to a sump, where the water is pumped away. The cellar needs to be emptied while the work is carried out and within a few days, the interior is ready for occupation and will remain dry. We work closely with the top damp-proofing companies in London and they guarantee their work for a full 30 years.

Damp-Proofing Services

Although we do not offer damp-proofing services, we work closely with London’s top damp-proofing company that issues an unconditional 30-year guarantee on their work. If you are thinking of acquiring a London property with a basement, book an independent damp survey and we will send an experienced damp expert to assess the basement and the rest of the house. If damp is present, we will find it!

Inspecting a Basement for Damp & Mould

Terraced houses are especially at risk of rising damp, one of the adjoining properties could have a damaged DPC or they have built over the DPC and damp can travel a long way over time. Our damp specialists can pinpoint the source of moisture using digital equipment that is very sensitive and you will receive the survey report via email the following day. You won’t need to move anything for our surveyor to carry out their inspection and nothing will be disturbed; should remedial work be required, we can put you in touch with the best damp-proofing company in the city. The surveyor uses a borescope camera to inspect the dark corners and should you wish to discuss damp-proofing with the surveyor, they are always happy to help in any way they can. We are happy to offer an estimate for damp-proofing work and you can connect with our partner company that handles the damp-proofing work.

If you are planning to buy or sell a property in London, book an independent damp survey by calling 020 7523 5882 or complete the booking form on this website.