Top 5 Benefits of Tanking a Cellar

With a cellar, you are at risk for flooding because it is underground – and that means troublesome water damage. It can happen suddenly because of heavy rainfall or rising groundwater levels. Any unprotected cellar is very vulnerable to these types of environmental conditions. Fortunately, basement waterproofing – tanking – is one way to prevent this kind of damage. Tanking is sometimes called basement, cementitious tanking or cellar tanking. Combining tanking a cellar with other techniques such as installing a cavity drain system, sump pumps and landscape changes can reduce flooding risk.

Sealing the cracks and making your cellar waterproof will help you save energy. Cold water entering through the cracks in your cellar can shift that cold air in your house and make your heating systems work harder to remain warm. That extra effort means higher energy bills – protect against moisture seepage if you want to keep these costs down.

You’re losing Heat & Money in Your Home

Some 35% of heat lost in an average UK home goes through the walls. Around 25% also goes through the roof and 10-15% through windows and doors. Air infiltration and ventilation cause the remaining 15-20% energy loss. Approximately half of energy bills are for heating and 40% are for hot water heating. Improved insulation and sealing gaps or drafts will reduce heat loss in your home and save you money on electric bills.

Installing tanking systems has good environmental effects as well. Stopping cold moisture from entering your home reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution from running heating systems at full blast. Waterproofing & tanking can help your wallet and the environment at the same time.

Is your cellar just a musty, dark space with damp walls where you store the old cardboard boxes that you’ll never use again? It could be so much more with the correct waterproofing! 

Your basement could be the same size floor space as your whole floor. Opening up the potential of this space could extend your living area by up to 100%, making it a perfect candidate for a cellar conversion.

Increasing the liveable size of your property can boost its value and this could be the best way to add extra value to your home. If you live in a built-up urban area there could be limited opportunities to extend outwards or upwards so more and more people are exploring the potential of expanding down.

Is your basement just a musty, dark space where you store the old cardboard boxes that you’ll never use again? It could be so much more with the correct waterproofing! Your basement could be the same size floor space as your whole floor. So opening up the potential of this space could extend your living area by up to 100%. Tanking and waterproofing the cellar dry will make this expansion both feasible and durable. 

Increasing the liveable size of your property can boost its value and this could be the best way to add extra value to your home. If you live in a built-up urban area there could be limited opportunities to extend outwards or upwards so more and more people are exploring the potential of expanding down.

The Cellar Conversion Trend in The UK

Basement conversions in the UK are becoming more popular as ways of creating extra space and value for properties. Research suggests about 37% of homeowners aged 25-34 will convert their cellar within five years. More importantly, London homeowners are 55% more likely to consider converting their cellar than those outside the capital – 29%.

Basement conversions offer homeowners anything from a games room or home cinema to extra bedrooms or living space. Adding value and space without moving property is estimated to add up to 20% to the value of your home.

Ingress of water through your foundations can cause serious structural damage and must be avoided no matter what. Employing a combination of cement application and waterproofing methodologies can provide long-term solutions. Cellar waterproofing can also be called structural waterproofing. This will protect the structure of your house and may also reduce the cost of water ingress damage. Utilising a cavity drainage system can further mitigate these risks.

A waterproofing layer installed between the basement and exterior environment will prevent moisture seepage from compromising the foundations of your home. Basement waterproofing can also help with air quality – reducing humidity and preventing mould growth – by preventing water seepage.

Water damage is one of the most expensive and difficult problems to fix in a home. Any moisture ingress through the walls, floor and joints can expose your house to extensive interior destruction. Not only do any paintings, drywall, furniture and fixings in your cellar need to be replaced or repaired due to water damage, but such repairs come with a hefty financial cost. This cost may be covered by home insurance in some cases, however, this could still increase your premium when you come to renew. These expenses could be mitigated with just the single cost of tanking your cellar.

The Cellar Conversion Trend in The UK

Property maintenance is essential for homeowners to protect the value of their homes. The average homeowner spends £848 on property maintenance every year, however, the exact costs are difficult to predict due to emergency repairs. Factors such as the age and climate of a home and geographical location can affect how much maintenance is needed. 

Home improvements like carpeted flooring, sealants and stains, and cultured marble countertops will need replacing or refurbishment. To safeguard these investments, consider the application of a waterproof coating on susceptible surfaces. It’s also important to remember that neglecting issues such as blocked gutters could lead to costly damage in the future.

To avoid or minimise such problems it is important to ensure that all possible steps are taken to reduce the risk of water ingress into your basement. Cellar waterproofing installation by our expert team is a great way to ensure your basement is structurally sound, waterproof a cellar effectively, and can provide an extended liveable space for you and your family.