Basement Water Management
Owning a property with a basement can offer valuable extra living space without losing precious garden ground. Basement Waterproofing is becoming a popular way of increasing your space without undertaking major building work or moving home.
Changes in climatic conditions and resultant rising water tables has meant that basement water ingress problems are becoming a frequent occurrence. When considering Basement Waterproofing it is essential that all possible options are considered and, although your basement may not have a history of flooding, it has to be considered that it is always a possibility and therefore water management under British Standard (BS 8102) is of paramount importance.
Almost all structures that are partially earth retaining or are fully below the ground are likely to be subjected to hydrostatic (water) pressure at some time in the future. If this pressure is left unchecked it can lead to water ingress, which is very distressing to the homeowner and can often result in extensive property damage.
A common mistake when treating earth retaining structures is to damp proof when really it is more suitable to undertake water management systems. In basic terms, with earth retaining structures you damp proof above the ground, and water manage below the ground. A property that has been damp proofed or poorly waterproofed will very likely fail if subjected to external water pressure. It is therefore critically important to get it right the first time by using a qualified CSSW specialist to specify, undertake and oversee the project from inception to completion as recommended under BS 8102.
The Preservation Company are providers of advanced Basement Waterproofing solutions, with years of experience we are members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and hold the industry-recognised CSSW (Certified Surveyor of Structural Waterproofing) status.
When making a recommendation and considering all available techniques, The Preservation Company will propose an installation with either an advanced air gap membrane system or cementitious slurry, or possibly a combination of both. Cavity drainage membranes are designed to control the passage of water, utilising drainage channels and sump and pump water evacuation systems where necessary. We can also advise and provide a comprehensive specification from inception to completion incorporating all trades.
