What is basement waterproofing?

Basements are more susceptible to damp problems than other areas of a building, due to their lower position. If you are considering making your basement liveable or embarking on a conversion project, a solid basement waterproofing system is one of the first things to take into account. A usable basement can make an excellent addition to a house, and often improve the value of the property, but without sufficient waterproofing such a project is unworkable.

Why do I need basement waterproofing?

Basements often sit below the water table, which means that they are likely to be affected by ground water exerting pressure on the walls. Inadequate protection against this can lead to various issues with damp, rot, and general deterioration of the walls and floor. In severe cases the basement may be rendered completely uninhabitable or unusable, and could cause other structural problems in the rest of the building.

What should I do next?



There are a few different kinds of waterproofing systems that can be implemented. Methods involving tanking and and external waterproofing used to be very common, but barriers put into place on the exterior walls of a basement can deteriorate fairly quickly. Newer basement waterproofing methods are based on the concept of safely managing the water that does get through.