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.
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.
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!
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