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Basement Waterproofing Systems

Basements are an increasingly popular option as the cost of land goes up, but it is vital that the work is carried out correctly right from the start if it is going to be signed off and a guarantee provided, paperwork which is vital when it comes to selling your property.  This is why it is so important to use a qualified waterproofing designer.


Basement Consultancy Service


Basement Design

What do you intend to use your basement for?

Making sure your extension perfectly fits your requirements is important to us. We will discuss with you what you intend to use the basement for as the choice of waterproofing system and construction design will depend on the proposed use for your new space.

Basements fall into 3 categories

Grade 1: some damp areas are acceptable depending on the intended use, e.g. car parking spaceGrade 2: there can be no water ingress. Ventilation could also be necessary, e.g. workshopsGrade 3: no water ingress is acceptable and ventilation and/or air conditioning will be required, e.g. habitable space

We will ascertain with you the basement use and discuss flexibility to upgrade in future.

Our design process:

The first stage in the process is a detailed site survey including:

  • AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF THE WATER TABLE
  • THE DIRECTIONAL FLOW OF GROUND WATER
  • THE POSITION OF DRAINS
  • THE TYPE OF SOIL
  • PROTECTION AGAINST SOIL CONTAMINATION AND GROUND GASES
  • SUBSIDENCE RISKS
  • BOUNDARY ISSUES

We will provide you with a structural design incorporating the appropriate waterproofing system. Our construction work will come with the relevant warranties prescribed by the Property Care Association.


Newbuilds

New build basements

Integrating structural waterproofing from design to construction

Basement waterproofing should only ever be carried out by experienced professionals who hold the CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualification required by the NHBC and new build guarantee schemes. 

Our surveyors are CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) and we are registered with the Property Care Association, the governing body for damp in the UK. 

What services can Damptec Systems Ltd offer

Damptec Systems Ltd can be there at the start with you to assist and advise the design and construction teams to ensure that the design specification meets the requirements of BS8102:2009 the Code of Practice for the Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water from the Ground.

What issues will you face with a new build?

These might include challenges faced when the initial site is excavated. Expert advice is needed to ensure that water, which can rapidly fill the newly dug site from rainfall and laterally through the soil, is effectively managed away from the build structure.

Let Damptec help you to ensure that your design and subsequent construction works meet the regulatory requirements for basement waterproofing.

This would include choosing the correct waterproofing system for your new build and helping you to navigate through potential problems regarding land drainage for example.

The design stage

We can help with ensuring the integration of the right basement waterproofing system into the overall build at design stage.  Our assistance would include full specifications prior to the installation of the system and once it has been installed.

Damptec Systems Ltd consultancy service, provided by our CSSW qualified surveyor, would include:

  • Basement waterproofing consultation from the design stage onwards
  • Project management whilst works are ongoing until completion
     

Why it is essential to use a surveyor with a CSSW qualification

Only surveyors holding the CSSW qualification are recognised by the construction industry as having the required level of competence and specialisation to provide structural waterproofing advice. Many guarantee scheme providers for new builds, including NHBC and Premier Guarantee for example, will only guarantee works which have been designed by surveyors holding this qualification.

As part of our service as a basement waterproofing contractor we are able to offer insurance backed guarantees.  Service contracts are also available for the basement waterproofing element of your new build.

Steps to ensure your new basement meets the criteria for a warranty

  • Use specialist structural waterproofing companies to design and install tanking systems.
  • Ensure the design is produced by a qualified waterproofing designer, CSSW i.e. Certificated Surveyor In Structural Waterproofing
  • Qualify for a 10 year Insurance Backed Guarantee for Workmanship and materials
  • Ensure installation works carried out by fully qualified trained structural waterproofing technicians
  • Bear in mind that ALL new build basements require a combined structural waterproofing system to reduce the risk of failure.

The importance of using a qualified specialist whose work comes with a guarantee


Installation of Waterproofing Systems
Sumps and pumps
Products
Guarantee
Aftercare

Ground Gases

Rising Damp

Rising damp is caused by the failure of an existing damp proof course (DPC), bridging of the DPC due to raised external ground levels, or, in older properties, the absence of a DPC. Bricks, stones and mortar are porous and will allow water to rise through what is known as capillary action. The results are staining to the decorative coverings, blown plaster, peeling paintwork and wallpaper and a risk of rot to joists and floorboards in direct contact with damp masonry.

How high the damp rises in a wall will depend on several factors including the height of the water table, pore continuity in the masonry and evaporation rates.    

We use a blend of silane and siloxanes for injection into brickwork which cures to form a water repellent. Then a membrane systems is installed on the walls which are then drylined and plastered.

​All of our damp proof course work is carried out in accordance with British Standard “Code of Practice for Diagnosis of Rising Damp in Walls of Buildings and Installation of Chemical Damp Proof Courses” BS6576: 2005

Our remedial treatment system provides a dry surface ready for decoration within 7-10 days of treatment.  We offer a ten year guarantee for our rising damp work as well as an insurance backed guarantee via GPI Insurance.

Damp and Timber Treatments

Timber treatment:  Woodworm

Woodworm is actually a generic term for a number of wood boring insects that can infest your home and attack the wood, the most common of these being common furniture beetle (Anobium Punctatum). Woodworm is often associated with dampness as poor ventilation and high humidity are aspects of both problems. You may have woodworm if you can spot exit holes in your wood which can be up to 2mm in diameter along with small piles of bore dust. If you are unsure then Damptec are available to conduct a survey and recommend the correct course of action if woodworm is present.

We operate in accordance with the Property Care Association (PCA) Remedial Timber Treatment Code of Practice based on current best practice for the in situ treatment of common wood destroying beetles and fungal decay for contractors specialising in remedial treatment. Damptec staff have received training in the safe and effective use of the products involved.

Our Treatment Method
For a common furniture beetle infestation, for example, we would recommend a blanket treatment using a microemulsion wood preservative concentrate formulated for the in-situ treatment of timbers which are affected by wood boring insects.

The preservative concentrate we use for common furniture beetle has the following properties:

  • 48 hours re-entry of the treatment area:
  • Excellent penetration into timber
  • Non-flammable with a very low odour
  • Effective against all wood boring beetles
  • Non-hazardous

​​Warning notices are displayed after treatment has been carried out stating the re-entry time.

Replacement timbers must be pre-treated in accordance with BS8417 2003 or treated on site with wood preservative meeting the requirements of BS 8417 2003. 

Wet rot and dry rot

Wet rots, of which there are many, can represent a serious cause of damage to the wood in your home. Dry rot (Serpula Lacrymans) requires extensive treatment compared to other forms of decay as it can spread through masonry. Dampness is a prerequisite for an attack of rot which is essentially a fungal decay that will attack the wood in your home leaving it dry and brittle or dark and crumbly.

Our specialists are trained in the diagnosis of fungal decay in timber and the appropriate treatment.

Please note that Damptec Systems Ltd will treat timbers in situ but will not be involved with replacing the affected timbers or installing new timbers.

Damp and Timber Surveys
Our surveys are carried out in line with British Standard BS6576 and the Property Care Association (PCA) Code of Practice, and by surveyors who hold the industry recognised Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment qualification. You can, therefore, be confident that a Damptec survey will meet industry-approved levels of competency, quality and customer care.

​  Once we have gathered all the information we need we will produce a report detailing our conclusions and providing recommendations for necessary treatments. The report will include photos of relevant damp areas and a floor plan if we have found rising damp. We will also provide a quote to carry out the remedial treatment but the client is under no obligation to contract us for this work. Our reports are recognised by the mortgage industry.

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