Client: Construction Company
Our client, a construction company, tasked Timberwise with designing and implementing a basement waterproofing solution on a new construction in Gwynedd. This basement was built beside the remaining elevation of a previous property. After completing the basement work, our client would construct a new building above it, incorporating the original elevation.
Challenges
In comparison to surveying an existing property, working on an active building site carries its own set of risks. From trip hazards to falls from height, our team members are trained to assess risks and always work safely, whether surveying a property or working alongside others during wider construction work.
Another significant challenge in basement waterproofing work is ensuring success. Most basement waterproofing systems cannot be tested prior to completion. This is because the surrounding conditions are not representative of the final environment. For example, in this case, the exterior walls needed to be backfilled once waterproofing work had been completed. It is only after backfilling and finishing the remaining property that the environment would be in a similar condition to when the property is completed.
It is for the above reasons that Timberwise designs its basement waterproofing solutions with several overlapping systems. This guarantees the basement to be damp free for ten years, as another system can divert water ingress if the first system were to fail from damage or wear. Our structural waterproofing page provides further information on what waterproofing methods are available and how they are installed.
Solutions
In line with our client’s specifications, our surveyor designed a Waterproofing system conforming to BS8102:2022. This includes not only designing a functioning and accessible system, but also conducting risk assessments and investigating the surrounding areas.
To construct a complete waterproofing system, Timberwise often employs multiple solutions. This ensures that if one system fails or develops a fault, then another system can still prevent moisture ingress within the property.
On the interior walls, our technicians installed a Damp Proof Membrane. This membrane prevents water from being able to ingress into the wall, and instead runs down the membrane, collecting in a channel at the base of the wall. This channel then either connects to the existing waste system or a separate sump pump, where it is then pumped away from the property. This system also includes inspection ports at each corner to ensure that proper maintenance can occur.
On the exterior walls, our technicians installed an angled seal at the base to divert water away. They then painted two bitumen coats over the entire wall surface, with a layer of fibre glass mesh in between each coat. Bitumen acts as a waterproof coating, providing an additional layer of damp protection within the basement.
The finished bitumen was then finished with a Geotextile membrane, which would divert any water away from the wall and into a nearby land drain. This would ensure that water could not build up against the wall and apply pressure to the finished concrete structure.
On the internal floors, our technicians installed an anti-lime coating to the new concrete floors, before applying a damp proof membrane to the ground floor slab. Like the wall membrane, this would provide two systems to prevent moisture ingress from beneath the floor.
Once installed, the final task was to seal the floor membrane to the internal wall, providing an entire solution with no weaknesses where water could breach into the property.
Results
Our clients were delighted with the solution provided by Timberwise. They highlighted the thoroughness of the solution, and were pleased that every contingency was considered prior to designing and installing the recommended solutions. Our client was also quick to recognise our technicians’ professionalism and approach to health and safety, ensuring that everyone collaborated in a safe manner and constantly reassessing risks as the construction work continued.
Do You Want Help with a Basement Waterproofing Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in North Wales are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 01492 849 056, or you can request a survey online.
