Save Your Basement From The Damp With Basement Tanking
Considering the high price of London real estate, residents try to utilise every bit of space they can. Even so, there is often a part of the home that goes unused, a dark, damp space that they simply close the door on and try to forget! What is this forbidden zone that we speak of? The basement, of course! Thanks to London’s wet climate and soggy ground, many people give up on their basements, abandoning them to the spiders and mould, which really isn’t a very good idea in terms of health!
What if we were to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way, that there is a way to rehabilitate your basement into a nice, dry space that you can actually use? The solution to your subterranean woes is called basement tanking, and we are going to tell you how it works!
It may sound hard to believe, but wet, depressing basements can be recovered and made into pleasant living spaces with basement tanking, a waterproofing process that keeps the cold damp out and the insides warm and dry! Groundwater is constantly pushing its way inside through tiny cracks in the walls thanks to a force called hydrostatic pressure. The basement tanking system makes the room watertight, protecting it from the ground water’s push, which is a huge problem in those areas that have a high water table with high soil moisture levels. It might help to imagine that your basement is actually a fish tank pushed down into the water from the surface, with the glass keeping the water out instead of in!
The process of basement tanking begins with one of our highly trained specialists making a thorough damp survey of your basement to locate the source of the encroaching moisture that has turned it into an inhospitable cave. Once the extent of the water’s ingress and reach has been assessed, the space is prepared by removing the existing water-damaged plaster or wallpaper, then cleaning the revealed surfaces and treating them to eradicate any presence of mould, mildew, or rot. Once everything is cleaned up a waterproof cement-based coating or plastic membrane is applied to the walls and floor.
The following are the two main types of tanking systems:
- Membrane Tanking – A waterproof basement tanking membrane is applied to the walls and floor, forming a physical barrier against penetrating moisture. The flexible and robust membrane can be form-fitted to corners and irregular structures and will provide long-lasting protection with very little maintenance required.
- Cementitious Tanking – A specialised cement-based coating is applied directly to the basement’s vulnerable surfaces. The cementitious coating fits seamlessly onto the structure, creating a sturdy and durable barrier that will put a stop to water penetration for years to come.
If you would like to have us perform basement waterproofing for your property, just give us a call on 0208 226 6330, or email us at [email protected], or submit our online form for general questions about our services. We are here to keep you safe and dry!