Basement Waterproofing - The Problem

Many buildings contain uninhabitable, mouldy and damp basement walls with no waterproofing protection. Cellar walls, which typically form the foundation of the building, are generally sited underground, beneath the waterproof membrane layer that serves as the buildings damp proof course. Accordingly the wall is constantly subject to conditions favourable to penetrating dampness and water ingress via capillarity and/or hydrostatic pressure.

In order to waterproof underground structures and convert them into habitable and functional basement accomodation it is necessary to provide a fully sealed basement waterproofing or tanking system to ensure the moisture in the walls and floors is not permitted to migrate to the internal wall surfaces.  Such systems are now available to DIY and trade.

Basement Waterproofing Solutions

The two most common wall tanking methods for waterproofing basement walls are:

Cavity Drain Tanking Membrane - Robust dimpled waterproofing membranes that can be applied to almost all underground building structures that are affected by penetrating damp or water ingress. The impervious studded membrane creates continuous air cavities to permit ample water drainage and air circulation, allowing underlying substrate to both drain and breath. Fully sealed waterproof basement membranes enable water ingress management via the provision of sump and pump systems to ensure water is channelled, drained and discharged from the building.

Structural Waterproofing - This is multi-coat, pore-blocking slurry mix that is sandwiched between two coats of dense cement render. The tanking slurry contains polymers designed to enhance adhesion to the wall and increase tensile strength. Once applied the tanking is able to withstand external water pressure and maintain a dry environment by creating a physical barrier to water entering the basement area through the walls.

Basement Tanking & Waterproofing Products

Tanking Slurry
A tanking slurry is used for waterproofing walls in an underground cellar or basement.. The tanking formula is a cement-quartz-acrylic polymer blend supplied in powdered form. Just mix with water to make a cementitious slurry compound that sets to make a completely waterproof barrier over a masonry wall surface.

Waterproofing Membrane
High density polyethylene basement tanking membranes are fixed to underground walls and floors. Each waterproofing membrane has a dimpled profile such that forms a cavity to enable water to drain and allow the wall to breathe. Choose from plain studded waterproof membranes, a foil faced insulating membrane or a mesh faced membrane, the latter giving prospect for the direct application of wall plaster or dot and dab lining. A range of DIY fixing plugs and butyl waterproof sealing products are also available to ensure fixings and joints remain impermeable.