Timberwise are experienced on working on specialist waterproofing projects of all sizes. From small Victorian cellars to larger commercial waterproofing projects we have a waterproofing solution to suit all different needs. Here we look at a recent basement waterproofing project in Bradford, West Yorkshire for a nursery and children’s centre.
The cause of the leaking basement
Undercliffe Lane Community works and Children’s Centre was due for a program of alterations and partial refurbishment during the summer break of 2010. Part of the works involved the installation of a lift facility and the provision of through access into a basement class-room. The existing access to the class-room consisted of a damp, untidy basement hallway which needed waterproofing to provide a safe, dry environment.
The waterproofing system designed by Timberwise
The waterproofing project was on a tight site-program and Timberwise was invited to design a waterproofing solution for the basement hallway. Working with the architect and the contractor Timberwise designed and insulated a Type C (drained protection) waterproofing system with little preparation and the facility for the contractor to dry-line over the waterproofing system which reduced wet-trades in the schedule of works. The cavity drain waterproofing system was installed quickly with little or no disruption to the program and the works were allowed to proceed unhindered.
The cavity drain waterproofing system was designed to drain into adjacent large basement rooms which were at a lower level and had submersible sump pumps recessed in the floors.
Attention to detail with designing waterproofing systems is critical – Timberwise technicians ensured that service penetrations through the waterproofing membrane were treated effectively and that fixing points did not create any problems for the contractor. All joists were fully sealed using butyl tape and fixing points were sealed using gasket grommets to the underside of system fixing components.
Timberwise have experience in assisting with waterproofing on projects of all sizes. From small household cellars to larger commercial waterproofing projects we have a waterproofing solution to fit all eventualities. Here we look at a recent basement waterproofing project in Manchester for a large commercial client – Duncan Bannatyne Health Clubs.
The cause of the water ingress
The health club is based in the basement of a large grade 2 listed art deco office building in the heart of Manchester. It was within the basement area that the problem with water ingress came to light. The source of the water ingress was traced to two “pavement lights” Pavement lights were designed to allow light into basement areas through prisms of glass. As a result of the water ingress 2 rooms in the basement area were unable to be used – resulting in inconvenience for the clubs clients and a loss of income for the clubs owner. Timberwise Manchester were called in to provide a waterproofing solution whilst providing minimum disruption for the clients.
The waterproofing system
The solution to the waterproofing problem utilised a cavity membrane system, perimeter drainage channel and a SmartSumpsump and pump unit. This system would allow any water that entered the room to be channeled into the perimeter drainage channel and taken to a convenient drain off point. As part of our commitment to causing minimum disruption our team of waterproofing specialists worked through the night. To get to the rooms that needed waterproofing our waterproofing team had to protect the next door nail bar – covering all soft furnishings and carpets to protect from any dust and dirt created during the waterproofing process. At the end of each night shift the nail bar then had to be put back into a usable state ready for clients to use during the day.
The photos below show the installation of the SmartSump system (in the corner of the room) along with the drainage channel and cavity drain membrane. The complete waterproofing job from Timberwise involved the fitting of the sump and pump, perimeter drainage and cavity drain membrane system that ran from ceiling to floor. On top of this was also added plasterboard and a skim finish. The false ceiling in the 2 rooms was also replaced and the rooms then decorated back to the original specification required by the health club. The whole project was completed within two weeks.
Water ingress was caused as a result of leaking pavement lights
All public areas had to be protected from dust and dirt during the waterproofing process
The SmartSump is ready to have the pump installed - to the right of the picture is a heavily protected marble sink
The finished SmartSump unit ready for operation. The perimeter drainage and cavity drain membrane are also clearly visible
What should I do if I have a leaky basement?
If you are looking to waterproof an unused basement area and turn it in to extra living space the first thing you need to do is have a survey of the basement carried out by a waterproofing professional. Following the survey the best form of waterproofing for the basement will be determined.
To arrange a survey of your basement or cellar contact Timberwise on 0800 288 8660 or arrange a basement survey on-line.
When Timberwise Cardiff were working recently on a dry rot problem for one of our clients at there Victorian town house in Newport our surveyor was asked the question by the client about what could be done with the unused cellar. The cellar had the same footprint as the ground floor and would make fantastic extra living space as it would give an extra 3 rooms to the house.
Following a survey of the basement it was identified that there was lateral penetrating damp. Lateral penetrating dampness normally occurs on external walls where the external ground levels are at a higher level than the internal floors. As a consequence of this the dampness within the soil bearing against these walls penetrates the fabric of the walls. Basements are a typical example of lateral penetrating damp.
The solution to the dampness was the installation of a cavity drain membrane to the walls. Applied from ceiling height to ground level the membrane would provide an ideal barrier to prevent the dampness spoiling any interior decorations. Following the introduction of cavity drain membrane to the walls plasterboard was applied and finally a skim finish leaving the basement dry and in a position for the client to decorate, safe in the knowledge that the dampness would not comeback!
The pictures below show the various stages in the waterproofing process used:
The cellar area suffering with lateral penetrating dampness prior to work commencing.
Cavity drain membrane is applied to all the walls within the cellar area.
Following the cavity drain membrane plasterboard is fixed in to place. The cavity drain membrane will prevent dampness 'spoiling' the plaster board.
A skim finish is applied.
Following the waterproofing done by Timberwise the client was then able to decorate safe in the knowledge that the dampness would not return!
What should I do if I want to convert a cellar?
If you are looking to convert an unused cellar or basement area in to extra living space the first thing you need to do is have a survey of the basement or cellar carried out by a waterproofing professional. Following this the best form of waterproofing for the basement will be determined.
To arrange a survey of your basement or cellar contact Timberwise on 0800 288 8660 or arrange a basement survey on-line.
When a client of Timberwise Manchester wanted to convert her damp unused basement into a home office area the local Timberwise team were on hand to provide an ideal waterproofing solution to keep the dampness away and create a totally dry basement area.
The Waterproofing System
The waterproofing system used in this instance incorporated a cavity drain membrane system that was applied to the walls and the floors, a perimeter drainage channel that channeled water from the basement to a sump pump unit. The sump pump unit is designed to pump the water away from the basement to a convenient drain off point. This system does not stop the flow of water coming into the basement but instead controls the flow of water.
The video below shows the various stages in the waterproofing of the basement – from start through to the final skim of plaster going on the walls.
Could you convert your basement?
Many Victorian houses, and older types of properties which have basements lend themselves to having basement or cellar conversions. Timberwise are experts in basement waterproofing and have experience in converting basements of all sizes into dry living space. If you have a basement that you are thinking of converting don’t hesitate to get in touch. Timberwise can carry out a basement survey to identify the best basement waterproofing system for your basement conversion. For more information on basements visit our basement waterproofing pages on this website.
When Timberwise were contacted by a fast food chain to help improve the air quality in one of their restaurants in Liverpool our specialist air quality team, Envirowise, were up to the challenge! The brief was simple: they needed a system to remove the stale air and odours from a basement area and replace it with fresh filtered air. Due to long periods of inactivity the air had a habit of becoming “stale” so a system was need to ensure clean fresh air was delivered constantly.
A perfect solution for stale air using a mechanical ventilation system!
Our Envirowise team had just the solution! A heat recovery mechanical ventilation system was prescribed to banish the stale air from the basement. The mechanical ventilation unit is designed to import clean fresh air over long distances whilst extracting the stale air away from the building. In this case the unit had to carry air over 35 meters away to and from the basement area. The mechanical ventilation unit was installed by our air quality team in the plant room of the restaurant and using discreet ducting filled the basement area with clean air.
The picture below shows the mechanical ventilation unit clearly showing the air in and air out ducting.
Externally, the only sign that the unit had been fitted to the building were two discreet air vents – one for bringing fresh air into the building and the other for the extracted air.
Our Envirowise team have a variety of ventilation solutions to cope with all manner of air quality issues. From kitchen fans and bathroom fans through to whole house ventilationand solutions for air quality problems in commercial properties – Envirowise have a solution for you!
If you have concerns over the air quality in your property don’t hesitate to contact us. Simply call 0800 288 8660 or complete our survey request to arrange a survey of your property.
Time and time again Timberwise are called upon to provide waterproofing solutions for clients wishing to turn cold, dark basement spaces into warm, dry habitable living space. One of the waterproofing systems that we utilise is cavity drain membrane systems. Cavity drain membrane is by far the most popular method of basement waterproofing as it is a clean, dry system that gives guaranteed results. Cavity drain membrane as well as been tough is also very flexible as our photos below demonstrate when it came to waterproofing a vaulted arch in a basement we were recently working on.
The first step in the basement waterproofing process was to membrane the wall and floor surfaces within the basement. This would then allow any moisture to still enter the basement (as opposed to cementitious tanking systems that “stop” the moisture). The moisture is controlled in the air gap which diverts any moisture to a convenient drain off point via a perimeter drainage channel. The air gap behind the membrane also allows the structure of the building to “dry out”. Cavity drain membrane is fixed to the walls via special fixing plugs (the blue fixing plugs can be seen within the window arch) and sealing tapes to make the entire space water tight. The membrane can then be plastered on directly to allow decorative finishing.
Here we can see the first coat of plaster going onto the membrane. Ultimately there will be several skims of plaster going onto the waterproof membrane.
Now that plasterboard is in place and a 3rd coat of plaster has been applied the finished basement is beginning to take shape.
Finally, the plastering in the basement is complete and ready for decorative finishes to be applied. The client is now left with a totally dry basement that utilises a Timberwise cavity drain membrane to the walls and floor along with a perimeter drainage channel that takes any moisture to a convenient drain off point.
To explain how cavity drain membrane waterproofing systems work we have an easy to understand video below that looks at the various parts of the waterproofing system. Further videos looking at basement waterproofing can be found on the PropertyCare Expert channel on YouTube.
Basement waterproofing from the basement waterproofing specialists
As experts in our field you can trust Timberwise to find a basement waterproofing solution suitable for the trickiest of damp basement areas. With a variety of specialist waterproofing solutions at our disposal your damp basement could soon be a thing of the past! To arrange a basement survey call 0800 288 8660 or complete our on-line basement waterproofing survey request form.
Over recent years when a homeowner purchases a property, a cellar has been increasingly seen as a valuable storage space or an opportunity to expand. It is very easy to see the financial reward that can be gained by considering cellar waterproofing and cellar conversions. Developing your cellar not only adds value to the property, but increases the space and opportunity to create new rooms to fit our increasingly hectic lifestyles.
Timberwise are experts in cellar waterproofing and can design a cellar waterproofing system to make your damp cellar in to a usable living space. Our cellar waterproofing systems utilise cavity drain membranes, sump and pump units and perimeter drainage channel. To see how these cellar waterproofing components come together to create a dry cellar visit our cellar waterproofing video.
What can I turn my damp cellar into?
To help you imagine what your damp cellar could be turned into Timberwise have created our 3D cellar solutions package to give you some food for thought!
Now you can explore a variety of cellar conversions – from a luxury kitchen to a home cinema there are plenty of ideas for you!
Further information and help on cellar waterproofing
Further advice on waterproofing your cellar can be found on our website in our below ground waterproofing section. Here you will find useful waterproofing information and examples of cellar waterproofing. If you have a damp cellar that you would like waterproofing requesting a survey of your damp cellar couldn’t be easier. Simply complete our survey request form or call 0800 288 8660 and we will arrange for one our our waterproofing specialists to contact you.
When a prestigious hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, needed a waterproofing solution they could trust they turned to Timberwise to provide the ideal waterproofing solution to suit their needs.
The Harrogate based Rudding Park Hotel is in the process of extending the fantastic facilities that they already offer by building a new bedroom wing, a spa are as well as a gymnasium. Timberwise were appointed as waterproofing experts to waterproof the new construction.
The waterproofing solution involved the use of a Bentonite waterproofing membrane. Bentonite membrane benefits from a unique surface Bentonite impregnation which makes for an exceptional waterproof barrier with impermeable lap joints. A continuous layer of natural Sodium bentonite is sandwiched within the waterproof membrane. Sodium Bentonite expands when wet and absorbs several times its dry mass in water. The membrane gives basement waterproofing protection to grades 2, 3 and 4 as defined in BS8102 making for a totally dry basement.
Timberwise are experts in waterproofing and can help convert dark damp cellars and basements in to usable living space and have an extensive range of basement solutions available. From the design of the basement waterproofing solution through to the installation of the waterproofing solution you can have peace of mind that your property is in the hands of the waterproofing experts – Timberwise. For more information on our range of waterproofing solutions visit our basement waterproofing solutions section.
Not only are Timberwise experts in rising damp, damp proofing and fungal decay such as dry rot but we are also able to provide expertise in basement waterproofing. Timberwise are partners of Basement Systems, leaders in basement waterproofing technology and experts in keeping basements clean and dry.
Basements leak due to high water tables, poor existing drainage, previous failed basement waterproofing systems and after severe winters when there has been much snow the snow thaw can also be a contributing factor.
To help explain how the Basement Systems basement waterproofing products work below is a short video that shows a failed basement with various points of water ingress leading to an unusable, damp basement. The Basement Systems range of waterproofing products include WaterGuard, a perimeter drainage channel, sump and pump units that pump water away from the basement and cavity drain membrane that is hung on walls and floors.
For expert basement waterproofing advice trust the experts, Trust Timberwise!
On our website we have dedicated pages that give advice and information on how best to deal with a damp, leaky basement. From information on our range of sump pump units to perimeter drainage channel and cavity drain membrane you are sure to find out every thing you need to know about waterproofing your basement!
When a shop in London required a totally dry basement Timberwise were called upon to provide a perfect waterproofing solution
The Basement Waterproofing Problem
Traditionally Barrel Vaulted Basements are affected by moisture from all directions. Within the shop four-sub high street Barrel Vaults had been waterproofed previously. Unfortunately, as a result of traffic vibration, substrate failure and the inability of the existing cement based system to accommodate for differential movement water seepage had occurred leading to dampness. The client required the vaults for a designer display of high quality “Cat-Walk” fashion goods and accessories. It was therefore imperative that the basement was dry and free of all dampness.
The Basement Waterproofing Solution
The Waterproofing Solution consisted of an 8mm floor Cavity Drain Membrane, an 8mm Wall Cavity Drain Membrane, including a full barrel vaulted application, a full perimeter drainage system(Waterguard) installation and a sump and pump facility(Supersump). The waterproofing solution achieved the highest grade of Basement waterproofing (Grade 4) under BS 8102 making the basement fully damp/water and vapour proof.
Basement Waterproofing from Timberwise
It has become increasingly popular to convert basements within properties in to habitable living space. Timberwise are experts in basement waterproofing utilising a range of basement waterproofing solutions. Watch our video to find out more about converting a basement into a dry room using the latest in basement waterproofing techniques.
Not only are Timberwise experts in 
