The Leaking Wine Cellar

The Leaking Wine Cellar

The Problem

This small basement was constructed for use as a wine store within a large detached house built in the 1960′s. The walls (from drawings provided) were of cavity block / brick construction built off – of a reinforced concrete raft. Physical damp control had been incorporated during construction although had clearly failed resulting in water ingress following periods of heavy rainfall.

The floor and concrete staircase had been covered with ceramic tiling some years ago and prior to the water ingress occurring, since which the previous owner had attempted to prevent water entering by introducing some concrete gardens blocks around the perimeter of the basement which were laid on a hard concrete bedding. It is reported that this did hold the water back for some years, although eventually the block work was bridged and water again entered the basement resulting in regular use of a small electric pump to remove excess water.

The Solution

As the floor slab / raft was of reinforced concrete we were unable to introduce a sunken sump and it was therefore decided to use the Dry Track perimeter drainage system for water management, this being a pre-fabricated plastic moulded skirting (see photo) that was resin fixed to the floor slab, allowing water to enter behind the Dry Track channel and run around the room to the location of the pump, which was sited in a shallow sump liner.

The system was installed over the existing tiled floor with additional weep holes being introduced around the perimeter walls which also relieved the hydrostatic water pressure and accumulated water within the ground

The lower sections of the wall and the pump housing were cosmetically boxed in and the whole floor overlaid with the Delta MS 20 floor membrane with moisture resistant chipboard, leaving the basement dry and free from damp and the risk of future flooding.