Basement Waterproofing – What London Homeowners Need to Know

London has more basements and cellars that any other UK city; it has always been a thing to add underground living space in the capital to get the most out of a plot; then there was an explosion starting in the 1990s when wealthy residents commissioned stunning basements with several levels. Check out the Basement Wars documentary that outlines the potential for London properties to double their value and when you add these to the many Victorian cellars that are found in London homes, that is a huge market that requires basement waterproofing solutions.

Included in the build

A new build would incorporate a cavity drainage system that effectively waterproofs the ceilings, walls and floors, with a sump area and a pump to send water to the designated drainage outlets. These are complex systems and if installed by a professional basement tanking team, you effectively create a dry space. We at London Damp Specialists have all the solutions for new below-ground builds and what’s more, we guarantee our work for a full 30 years.

Basement tanking

A term that refers to basement waterproofing using water-resistant cement and screed that is applied to pre-treated surfaces. This is a multi-stage operation that requires planning and a survey to determine the best solution. A lot depends on the type of ground and whether there is already effective drainage; we can assess a site and provide an all-inclusive quote for basement tanking services.

Cavity drainage systems

If the ground is moist or holds water, a cavity drainage system would likely be the recommended way forward; older cellars might have degraded DPC and we can inject a foam DPC membrane; our surveyor would assess the site. Work can take up to one week for large underground spaces and everything must be cleared prior to commencing work.

Water-resistant cement

Sika make the best waterproofing cement and screed; walls are typically stripped of damp plaster, then prepared for the first coat (15-20mm) of the cement and when dry, a second coat of 10mm is applied before finally adding a skin screed (5mm) of the same type of material. This multi-layered solution is enough to keep the interior dry and we at London Damp Specialists issue an unconditional 30-year guarantee when we waterproof a basement; if damp penetrates, we will fix it at no cost to you.

Buying a property with a basement/cellar

If you going to make an offer on a London property that has a basement, we advise you to get in touch with us on 020 7458 4864 and let the experts inspect the basement and the rest of the house to determine the presence of damp. We provide a detailed report, along with a quote for recommended remedial work.

Be vigilant

Some London homeowners do not use their below-ground space, except for storage and that might lead to a period of months before anyone goes down there. You should make a point of weekly inspections, take a flashlight and inspect all parts of the structure and if you notice signs of moisture, don’t delay, call London Damp Specialists today and get to the root cause of the damp penetration before it gets worse.