Basement Waterproofing – A Comprehensive Guide to Tanking and Sika Rendering

There are many properties in London that have basements, while quite a few homeowners decide to add a basement at a later stage. London real estate is very expensive and when you can’t build up or to the side, the only way to increase your living space is to build an underground room, which brings with it many challenges, not least keeping moisture and water at bay. In this short article, we take a look at basement tanking and Sika rendering to help you gain a deeper understanding of how to waterproof a basement.

Common basement waterproofing systems

Popular basement tanking solutions include the following:

Cavity drainage system

If regular tanking (waterproofing the walls) is not going to keep the interior dry, then a cavity drainage system is the way to go. The system has 3 main components; textured membrane, floor drainage channels and a sump area with a pump that directs the water to designated drainage locations. The membrane is studded to create a cavity behind the walls, which becomes a sealed area to contain water.

Basement tanking

A very effective way to waterproof a basement is to apply Sika rendering, which is a water-resistant cement that can be applied to walls and ceilings, effectively creating a waterproofed square enclosure. This is the most common solution for basement tanking in London; the ideal situation is to waterproof the basement when it is being built, yet many of our projects involve waterproofing an existing structure.

Multi-layered cement

Using the best water-resistant cement with multiple layers creates a strong seal; at London Damp Specialists, our teams are highly skilled at what they do. They love a challenge, rest assured that you won’t have damp issues with our basement tanking solutions. The walls, floors and ceilings are coated and when dry, we inspect the seals; this solution is ideal for ground with adequate drainage.

Professional survey

If you are ready to have your basement damp protected, call London Damp Specialists on 020 7458 4864 or complete the online form on this website. A homeowner survey is comprehensive and involves the use of thermal imagery, borescope cameras, moisture metres and drone imagery, when we need to closely inspect areas of the roof and upper walls. We can check the guttering, unblocking it to avert a waterfall cascading down the walls. If you are looking to waterproof the basement, we can put a proposal together, recommending the most effective solution.

Gold seal guarantee

We are proud of the high standards we achieve, so much so that we offer an unconditional 30-year guarantee; if your basement leaks, we will carry out repairs at no cost to you. The peace of mind such a warranty brings is value in itself; we create a plan, clear the space and start the process, with each stage meticulously implemented and we invite you to inspect the finished job.

Basement waterproofing is our business and we cover every London Borough; we can treat woodworm, wet and dry rot, while we also deal with condensation, which is common with the wet, damp weather that never seems to end!