Basement Tanking
Basement tanking damp proofs your basement space, adding valuable square footage to any London property. Once it’s secure, safe and dry, your basement can be used as living space, storage area or housing for heating or air-conditioning systems.
If you have a basement or cellar in your London home, you already have valuable extra space beneath your feet – but only if it’s dry! Over time, damp and water ingress can make basements unusable, and lead to mould, musty odours and even structural damage. Basement tanking is the most effective way to keep your below ground spaces dry and make sure they remain safe, functional and protected for years to come.
At London Damp Specialists, we specialise in basement waterproofing solutions that are ideal for London properties. Our basement tanking options will make any basement waterproof and to prevent any damp. For example, we can fit a Cavity Drainage Membrane to effectively drain any water away from the basement; sump pumps will move water away from the property and to a storm drain; a cemented multi-coat render acts as a barrier, sealing the basement from the inside walls and preventing any water penetrating.
Why is Basement Tanking Essential?
London’s high water table and frequent rainfall means basements in the area are naturally vulnerable to damp and leaks. If your property is older, its original waterproofing may have deteriorated over time, allowing moisture to seep through the walls and floors.
Left untreated, damp can lead to:
- Mould growth, which can affect air quality and health
- Damage to walls, flooring, and stored items
- Rot and decay in timber structures
- A loss of valuable living space
Whether your basement has minor damp patches or serious flooding issues, we can assess the problem and recommend the right solution, returning your basement space to a usable space once more.
How Does Basement Tanking In London Work?
Basement tanking is a way of completely sealing the walls and floors of your basement to prevent water from entering. There are two main types of basement waterproofing and, following a survey, we’ll recommend the best system based on you and your property’s needs.
Basement waterproofing systems are either a barrier system that stops moisture, or a water management system to control and direct water away from your basement.
Barrier system:
We apply a multi-layer waterproof cement-based render directly onto the interior walls and floors. This is the physical barrier, preventing the moisture from seeping in.
The process includes:
- Removing any damp or damaged plaster
- Applying a salt neutraliser to dissolve salts left by moisture penetration
- Adding a waterproof sand and cement render
- Finishing with a smooth plaster coat for a polished, usable space
Water management system
This system controls and redirects water away from your basement. It involves:
- Fitting a Cavity Drainage Membrane (CDM), to allow water to drain behind it instead of penetrating the walls
- Installing sump pumps to remove water and direct it to external drainage
- Finishing with plasterboard or a decorative covering for a clean, modern finish
London Basement Tanking: Transform Your Basement into Functional Space
If you have a basement or cellar, you can unlock its potential and turn it into extra, usable spare footage. Whether it’s for bedroom, entertaining or storage space, we can make your basement watertight, functional and dry.
Any work we undertake will carry a degree of disturbance, but we work with minimum disruption and maximum effect, leaving you with a damp-free cellar and peace of mind with our 30-year watertight guarantee.
Get a Basement Damp Survey Today
If you’re dealing with damp, leaks, flooding or a musty smell in your basement, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Call us today on 020 8528 3864 for expert advice, or book your survey to discover the best waterproofing solution for your home.
Customer Testimonials
Black mould is extremely dangerous; prolonged exposure can cause skin irritations and respiratory issues. If you suspect mould of any sort is present in your home, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3864 during office hours.
In the event your property is in dire need of emergency repairs, we will do everything in our power to get a team to your address as soon as is practically possible. We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage and we have the resources to carry out fast repairs.
It very much depends on the size of the property, the larger the house, the longer the survey will take; of course, we have to be thorough when it comes to moisture inspection, so our surveyors won’t be rushed. An average family home might be completed in 3-4 hours, but it really depends on some variables such as the weather, access and availability.
Rising damp can be identified by crumbling brickwork, masonry and mortar, damp patches on walls and ceilings, a musky small in the house, mould and mildew, while condensation on windows and walls indicate moisture in the air.
Our homebuyer survey has a total of 3 levels, plus we offer an additional service to carry out plaster analysis, which costs extra. For details on levels 1,2 and 3 and costs, check out our homepage.
The cost depends on the level of survey you choose; check our homebuyer survey page for details and prices. We also offer an add-on service, lab analysis of plaster samples taken from various locations. The cost of the survey is deducted from the cost of the remedial work.
Our 5 Step Process
01
Initial Consultation
Tell us about your damp issue and we’ll guide you on next steps. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions and gather information.
02
Site Visit
Next, we visit your property to find the root cause of the issue. We’ll also assess the local environment, and take measurements or observations.
03
No Obligation Quote
Then we’ll send a detailed estimate of the costs involved, with no hidden extras, and provided to you without any commitment. You can review the financial aspect before making any decisions.
04
Work Carried Out
Our expert team carries out the work as planned, to the agreed timeline and quality standards, with minimum disruption to you.
05
Payment
The last step is payment, once the work’s complete, your home is dry and you’re satisfied with the results.
Damp Survey Costs
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.
Level 1
What’s included:
- Inspection of walls
- Inspection of floors
- Inspection of ceilings
- Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1
- Dry rot inspection
- Wet rot inspection
- Woodworm inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Level 3 (Most Popular)
What’s included:
- Everything in Level 1 & Level 2
- Thermal Imaging
- Air humidity testing
- HD boroscope camera
- Brickwork pointing inspection
- DPC inspection
- Ventilation flow test on extractor fans
- 4K drone imagery roof, chimney stack
and guttering inspection - Structural condition inspection
- Damp information and prevention guide
Survey Add Ons
Add On 1
Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.
Add On 2
qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.
Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.
The survey fee will be deducted from the cost of any recommended repairs.
These are the tools we use
A damp meter
A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.
Borescope camera
borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Inspection Drone
A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.
Air Humidity Sensor
Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.
Thermal Imaging Camera
A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.
Air Flow Ventilation Detector
An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.
Mould Swab Test Kit
A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.
Plaster Salt Analysis Lab
Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:
Contact Us
If you have some questions, please complete this form:
Book and Pay for a survey
If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form: