A cellar can provide you with space in your home; a habitable cellar can also boost the market value of your property. Damp proofing a cellar in order to make it truly habitable means you can use the extra room you have for living space and not just for storage. Read on to find out how to go about damp proofing a cellar correctly and without having to spend too much.
Even if you are only using your cellar for storage, it is important that it is tanked; otherwise anything that is stored in your cellar will get damaged by the damp. The waterproofing process you choose will depend on as few different factors. These include the way your home has been constructed as well as your budget.
Damp Proofing a Cellar : Cost to Tank a Cellar
Converting your cellar, providing there is adequate headroom will cost between 750 and 1200 pounds per metre squared. It is not a cheap job. This price will rise if you need to divert existing drains, or if you live in an area of marshy or clay ground. The price can also rise if your existing ground floor is a concrete slab. If you live in an area where the water table is high, this will also push up the cost of your renovation. The conversion cost could rise to as much as 3000 pounds per metre squared.
Waterproofing an existing cellar that is damp however can cost as little as 40 pounds per square metre. Your existing cellar can be waterproofed by a process that is known as tanking. If you do not have enough headroom, the cost will rise again. Lowering the floor level in your existing cellar will cost between two and 3 hundreds pounds per square metre. Another additional cost you may be met with is the underpinning of existing walls.
Damp Proofing a Cellar Effectively
Even if you do not intend to convert your cellar into living space, damp proofing it can add value to your property. A correctly damp-proofed cellar can be used for storage, and it also provides an excellent sales point for prospective buyers. To ensure that natural moisture from the ground does not seep in to your cellar, the walls need to be fully waterproofed. There are different ways this can be achieved including using a surface coating and the use of membrane systems.
Tanking your Cellar
Tanking a cellar is made possible by applying a waterproof coat to the porous walls of your cellar. This kind of system does not remove moisture; it simply creates a barrier. For tanking to work successfully, the brickwork of the house needs to be stable enough so that they resist any water pressure that is built up. The older your home, the harder the job will be as you will need to prepare the walls. The waterproof coating can be applied using a trowel or it can also be sprayed on to your cellar walls. Plaster can then be applied to the newly tanked surface.
Membrane Systems
A membrane system is necessary if you live in an area where the water table is high or if you have an older property that is not strong enough to resist the buildup of water pressure. A studded membrane made from high density polyethylene is generally fixed to the wall with plastic plugs. A membrane is created where the passage of water is free and any water and damp can flow down without any buildup.
The floor will also be covered with a layer of chipboard or insulation, creating an air gap that will ensure there is no buildup of pressure. A layer of concrete can then be added to your floor. This will decrease your headroom, so it is advisable to consider digging to ensure your cellar room has a head height of at least 2.35 metres.
Damp Proofing a Cellar: Drainage
Although some water will drain using a membrane, it is advisable to have a pump system in place. Many basement contractors such as those that BBN can source for you will not guarantee the work carried out if you do not install a sump pump. A sump pump will remove the accumulation of water effectively and efficiently. A sump pump will run off your electrical supply.
These are just some tips on how to effectively damp proof your cellar. For more advice, and for contractors who are reputable, contact us here at Bristol Builders Network today.