1. Tanking Walls

Tanking or waterproofing is done to achieve a dry internal area. Basement and cellar tanking is becoming increasingly popular as property prices increase. Converting a damp cellar or basement can be a surprisingly inexpensive way of increasing living space and can substantially increase the value of a property. Waterproofed cellars and basements can be converted into kitchens, bathrooms, wine cellars, living rooms, studies, or even recording studios. You are limited only by your imagination. In commercial premises, common uses for basements include extra storage / retail space, car parks, bars/nightclubs, and restaurants.

2. What tanking systems should I use?

• Cementitious Waterproofing Slurries (Vandex system) - The Vandex Basement Waterproofing System - is a multi-coat waterproofing system that is both durable and versatile. The main coating material, Vandex BB75, is a cement-based powder which is mixed with water and applied to walls, floors, and ceilings by spray or trowel. It sets to form a bond with the masonry substrate, creating an impervious barrier to the movement of water.
• Studded Membranes (Oldroyd Xv Clear System) - The Oldroyd Xv Clear system is particularly suited to waterproofing the Victorian basements commonly encountered in the UK as it does not rely on the soundness of the underlying substrate for its effectiveness. The membrane is sealed to walls and ceilings by means of special sealed fixing plugs, whilst on the floor there is normally no need for any form of fixing. Oldroyd Xv can be covered with plasterboard, screed, or a floating timber floor. A drainage facility, incorporating a sump and a pump, will need to be included as part of the system. The Aquadrain perimeter drainage channel may also be used to provide additional drainage at the wall-floor junction.
• Combination Systems - The best solution is often a combination of the two systems (e.g. Oldroyd Xv applied to floors and walls, with the Vandex system used to waterproof a flat ceiling)