Waterproofing a basement

Waterproofing a basement is the first step to converting a dank, damp and miserable space into a safe, dry and habitable room in your property.

More often than not basements reside “below the water table”. This means they are vulnerable to hydrostatic pressure caused by water in the ground that surrounds them. This pressure caused by water against the floor and wall of the basement will often lead to damp problems and eventually leaks.

For these reasons, If you want to convert the basement in your property into a usable space, then basement damp proofing is essential.

Tanking is a physical barrier that is applied to basement walls to prevent moisture ingress. This barrier will consist of waterproof slurry or cement which will block any water from getting into your basement.

While tanking is designed to be strong and durable, it can run into problems in areas with overwhelming hydrostatic pressure or anywhere susceptible to ground vibrations.

That is why basement tanking membranes are often used as a solution for earth retaining walls that are suffering from damp problems and leaks. The membrane is fitted to the wall in large plastic sheets. The membrane itself is strong, hard-wearing and waterproof, and dimples on its surface create an air gap between it and the wall – it is this gap that allows the membrane to deal with any water ingress.

It manages and controls water ingress by depressurising, controlling and diverting water to the perimeter drainage channels allowing for it to be channelled safely away from the building.

The most modern way to waterproof a basement involves managing and channelling any water ingress using hidden drainage systems that work in conjunction with structural waterproofing membranes and high-quality sump pumps.

Cavity drain membranes and drainage systems work together to lower the pressure on the basement walls by managing the build-up of groundwater around the basement. The result is to leave a dry basement fit for any kind of conversion you desire.

The sections below explain how each of these components work:

Every basement waterproofing job is different and the cost will be determined by the size of the property, which basement waterproofing system is installed and the cost of materials and products required.

To accurately arrive at a quotation for how much your basement waterproofing project will cost, then contact our team to arrange a waterproofing survey with one of our specialist surveyors.

Our surveyor will inspect for potential water ingress and signs of dampness and perform an external analysis of the basement or cellar.

If your property already has a failed waterproofing system, our surveyor will perform an inspection of its condition and assess why it has failed to prevent the water ingress problem.

You will receive a full and thorough and detailed survey report detailing their findings along with a competitive quotation for remedial works, which can be backed by a long term guarantee.

Peter Cox are industry leading basement waterproofing professionals. We have been making properties dry, safe and habitable since 1951 and we are also rated and approved by many different trade bodies such as Which? and the British Structural Waterproofing Association. We are rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 2,000 independent reviews by our customers.

We have a range of CSSW (Certified Surveyor of Structural Waterproofing) qualified surveyors across the country from a network of local branches, supported by a specialist national waterproofing team, and a range of specialist technicians.

Whether you are planning a new build basement or domestic cellar conversion, or waterproofing a sizable commercial space, Peter Cox are the go to company for your waterproofing needs.

Do you have a damp, unusable basement that you want to turn into a dry and functional living space? Then call Peter Cox today. You can also get in touch online by using our online contact form and one of our expert staff will get back to you.