Why install waterproofing in basement conversions?

Moisture can easily get into the basement and cause mould, bad odour and damage to furniture and electronic devices – so find out more about waterproofing your basement here.

It is essential to waterproof your
basement conversion

If you are planning on a basement conversion, you should pay special attention to waterproofing. What kind of waterproofing system is best for your basement depends on a variety of factors, such as the stability of the basement walls and the foundations, as well as on the prospective use of the basement. If your basement is not usually humid at all you probably won't need waterproofing but minor cracks and movements in the walls can be a gateway for groundwater that can only be stopped by a waterproofing installation.

Types of waterproofing for basement conversions

There are two main types of waterproofing insulation. The first type, which is rarely the best choice for waterproofing basement conversions, is a layer of special, waterproof concrete that, once applied to the walls and floor, will simply keep the water out. Due to the similarity to a tank this type of waterproofing basements is known as tanking. The other solution for waterproofing basement conversions is known as a cavity drainage system, because the water from the walls is collected in a well and then pumped out of the building. For this type of waterproofing installation, a membrane will be installed to the walls and the floor keeping the water out of the room but instead of just pushing the water back it is allowed to drain and to be removed from the basement with a pump. For waterproofing basement conversions with drainage and membrane systems there are no demands regarding structural stability of the basement construction, therefore it is suitable for most basements.

Perfect waterproofing for any basement conversion

Many newly built basements already come with waterproofed walls and floor. For basement conversions, the best choice for waterproofing depends on the existing structure of the basement walls and floor: minor weak points can now be fixed without having to tank the whole basement. More serious insulation problems will, on the other hand, usually require extensive waterproofing. Also there are different grades of waterproofing basement conversions: for storage rooms a higher level of humidity is tolerable than for rooms where people would live, sleep or eat. Usually, a type of drained cavity system with membranes and a pump will be the best choice for waterproofing basement conversions, with differences only in the type of membrane applied to the walls and the power of the pump.

Costs for waterproofing basement conversions

With costs of around £1,600- £2,000 just for the pump and for the drainage system and with additional costs for membranes and installation the drained cavity system appears to be rather expensive compared to cement tanking that comes at a price of around £100 per bag of cement plus installation costs. But in the end, the expenses for waterproofing basement conversions will also include the costs for failed attempts with the supposedly cheaper alternative: cement tanking is not a very durable choice for most basements. To find the best waterproofing solution for your basement conversion contact a basement conversion specialist who can also give you a cost estimate for waterproofing your basement conversion project.