BASEMENT SERVICES

A Comprehensive Guide on Building Regulations and Basement Conversions

Basement conversions are becoming a more popular way to add space to the home, not just for the super-rich wishing to install a new swimming pool.

Due to rising land values and a scarcity of space, the use of the space beneath our feet has become increasingly popular. The “iceberg” basement is the current must-have for the super-rich, generally including swimming pools, gyms, and movies, but some more unusual examples include art galleries, gun stores, and panic rooms, to mention a few. While not every basement is an “iceberg,” the majority are considerably more modest Victorian basements that have been transformed for more space.

Their popularity and attractiveness are on the rise. Between 2008 and the end of 2017, 4,650 basements were granted planning permission in some of the capital’s most wealthy neighbourhoods, according to research published in 2018 by Newcastle University’s Global Urban Research Unit. This study only looked at basements that have been granted planning permission for existing homes, not new constructions, demonstrating the growing popularity of using underground space.

Despite their growing popularity, underground constructions have an inherent added level of complication. The importance of Building Requirements and associated Approved Documents are discussed in this article, which provides practical information on how to comply with the regulations in England. We could never cover all of the relevant Building Regulations in this short article, and it is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the Building Regulations, but it will give you a quick overview of some of the most important matters about basement conversions in residential dwellings.

The protection of underground structures from groundwater, which must always be considered when converting into usable space, is something we won’t discuss in this post. The reader should be familiar with the BS 8102 Code of Practice for Protecting Below-Ground Structures from Ground Water. This is the waterproofer’s bible, and constructing according to the concepts contained in it will assist limit the possibility of groundwater penetration into an underground construction. This article, on the other hand, focuses on the Building Regulations, which encourage the creation of a dry environment beneath an existing structure. 

While the number of basements is growing, there is no denying that they are not universally appreciated. The media is all too happy to portray the rise in popularity of basements in a negative light, and when something goes wrong, it makes the headlines.

When do the Building Regulations take effect?

If you’re installing a room for residential use, the Building Regulations will apply. Exceptions may be made depending on the building’s usage, such as plant rooms that are seldom frequented by people. They will, nevertheless, be appropriate in a residential context and when converting a damp existing cellar into a habitable space. If you’re doubtful, you should always consult a building control body, which can tell you when the rules apply (via either the local authority or an approved inspector).

Those who carry out the building work — designers, installers, and building owners – are responsible for ensuring that the work complies with all applicable regulations. The building contractor will often communicate with the building control body to confirm the times of their inspections.

Basement renovations that go well

This will never be a complete list of all the factors to consider when planning a basement conversion, but it will give you a good idea of some of the most important ones. Attention to detail is essential to the success of any basement conversion. Not only the elements that keep water out but the many others that help. Underground buildings are inherently dangerous, and the cost of failure is significant, but the potential and outcomes can be magnificent.

Why Should You Get Cellar Tanking?

If you’re considering doing a basement conversion, you should think about cellar tanking. It is very typical to have damp conditions in your home’s basement/cellar, especially during the seasons of the year when rain and heavy downpours are common. The procedure of getting rid of dampness on the walls is time-consuming and inconvenient, which is why basement tanking should be done as soon as feasible. Tanking a Cellar serves as both a remedy and a repellent for damp situations, which is ideal if you intend to use such portions of your home for practical purposes.

Because your basement/ cellar walls are below ground level, they are prone to wet situations. This means that moisture from the earth passes through a semipermeable surface (your basement walls) in a process that is comparable to filtering or osmosis. Once moisture enters your basement, the walls become wet, creating the ideal environment for fungi and bacteria to thrive. This type of environment encourages the formation of mould in your home. When the walls in your basement become damp, they become cold, allowing moisture in the air to condense on the walls, resulting in wet walls and the formation of mould.

A basement conversion (cellar conversion) improves the amount of immediate living space in your home, allowing you to do so much more with it. However, it is critical to strive for the highest possible level of living. Basement tanking allows you to improve your property without having to worry about the health risks that damp and mouldy conditions can cause. Basement damp proofing is an excellent approach to mitigate these risks and get the most out of your new cellar conversion.

Cellar Tanking: How Does It Work?

When it comes to waterproofing a basement, there are several options available to you. Using a cavity drainage system and basement tanking are the two most popular solutions (also known as Cellar tanking). Cellar tanking is the technique we’ll be looking at in this essay.

The goal of cellar tanking is to keep the basement or cellar as dry as possible while preventing outside moisture from getting in. It also keeps the cellar walls and floor warm enough to prevent condensation from forming on the interior of the basement.

When it comes to waterproofing a cellar, basement tanking is widely considered to be a better alternative than installing a cavity drainage system. This is because, rather than simply moving the water to a different spot, it fully blocks it from entering.

What is Basement Tanking and How Does it Work?

Basement tanking is a term used in the building industry to describe a variety of methods that assist keep a basement or even an underground structure dry. Two fundamental tanking systems are currently in use. External systems are the most popular choice when constructing a basement or structure, while internal systems are employed once the project has been completed. Basement tanking is a term used in the construction industry to describe a waterproofing system that prevents water from entering a basement or underground structure.

Basement Tanking: How Does It Work?

The placement of a waterproof cement or slurry to the basement walls is the core idea of tanking. The tanking will eventually result in a smooth concrete wall surface that is both aesthetically beautiful and protects against moisture infiltration and consequent damp issues.

Tanking only works if the walls are stable and undamaged. Weak places in the room, such as the wall-to-floor junction, must also be given special attention. When a professional tanking installation is completed by a skilled company, it should be watertight and leave you with a dry room ready for use.

When a basement or structure is built, external basement tanking systems are most typically installed. The fundamental idea behind them is to keep water out of the joints where the walls and floors meet, as this is a weak place created by a joint. When it comes to building an external tank, there are many different designs, but the majority of them use a waterproof membrane that is wrapped around the concrete. It’s put in place before the cement is poured, and once the forms are removed, it’s wrapped around the entire concrete portion, thus confining it inside a tank. The outer margins are protected from constant water by building drainage pipes and encircling the area with gravel, which helps to move the water away from the cement and membrane rather than allowing it to beat against them constantly.

Internal basement tanking systems are essentially similar to external basement tanking systems, with the exception that they are installed within the basement or structure rather than along the perimeter. Again, there are a variety of designs to choose from, each of which necessitates a different level of interior preparation. Some tanking designs call for sprayed coatings on the interior walls and floors, while others use brushes or rollers.

In either case, a drainage field around the outer perimeter is necessary to divert any excess water into a hole in one of the corners, where a sump pump is installed. The sump pump efficiently prevents water from developing inside the basement by ejecting it through a conduit out of the basement or underground structure into the surrounding landscape.

Basement tanking systems, also known as water management systems, are meant to keep water out of basements and underground structures. Although both external and internal systems are designed to perform efficiently, because the bulk of water problems in basements come after the structures have been built, it is becoming more popular to redesign existing basements and install some sort of internal drainage system. The main disadvantage of basement tanking systems is that they are exceedingly difficult to remove once they have been installed. These water management systems will have to be exchanged for less permanent systems in regions where permanent systems are not permitted.

What is the best basement tanking system for you?

Call your local waterproofing professionals if you have any questions regarding tanking or any other type of basement waterproofing. They will be able to discuss your waterproofing project with you and advise you on the best course of action for your basement or cellar.

Cellar Waterproofing: What Is the Most Effective Way?

Anyone who owns a home with a cellar or basement understands the dangers of moisture accumulating and potentially flooding the space. Though the worst-case scenarios usually always occur in old structures where the foundations themselves have cracked in spots, water can gather in any rooms below ground level in newer buildings as well.

The difficulties that can occur from extended moisture accumulation in the cellar can be quite significant, putting the home’s structural integrity in jeopardy and even posing serious health hazards to the residents (the mould and fungi that grow down there is no laughing matter!). As a result, any rational homeowner should give the work of waterproofing cellars a high priority—which begs the question: what is the best approach to waterproof the cellar? The answer is very dependent on the type of property you live in, the characteristics of the ground beneath the cellar floor (known as the substrate), and whether or not you are still in the development phase of your home (in which case all the better).

Let’s look at some fundamental suggestions for getting the finest cellar waterproofing outcomes possible, especially with today’s highly developed materials and innovative waterproofing processes. If you implement the following suggestions, you will be doing your home a huge favour and will be sure to have a cheerful attitude even during the rainiest months of the year!

When it comes to cellar waterproofing, the earlier the better: the optimal time to start is before the cellar is even done. This is because many extremely successful waterproofing procedures require putting waterproofed materials to the cellar walls before the application of insulation and other finishing materials. It stands to reason that the best approach to keep walls dry is to prevent water from penetrating them in the first place, rather than trying to prevent water from entering the room after it has already seeped through the full length of the wall.

Getting a head start on cellar waterproofing is also important because the various types of drains used in waterproofing jobs (such as perimeter drains, which are one of the most effective) would otherwise necessitate tearing up flooring, etc.; if the flooring isn’t in place yet, the drains can be installed quickly. If you’re still building your house, now is the time to waterproof the basement!

Cement-based slurries are spread with a spray gun or a trowel to all surfaces, including the floor, walls, and ceiling, and are one of the most practical and efficient ways to waterproof a basement. Such “tanking” methods necessitate the application of a render before the application of the slurry (generally a sand-cement mixture that creates an ideal bonding surface for the tanking slurry itself). Following the creation of this render and the creation of particular coves at the intersection of the wall and the floor throughout the cellar, the cementitious slurry is applied, usually in more than one coat with time between each coat to dry. Finally, this tanking approach usually entails the application of a floor screed and wall plaster to create a more pleasing and, more importantly, protective surface that will ensure the tanking system lasts a long time.

Membranous Systems – As an alternative to tanking systems, membranes can be used to waterproof your cellar, and these systems are also quite effective when done properly. Membranes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some are used for functions other than waterproofing (for example, certain membranes may also have heat-reflecting properties that will keep the cellar better insulated). Studded membranes are frequently used in conjunction with special plugs called fixing plugs, which hold the membrane to the walls and ceiling while preventing moisture from seeping through the place where the plug is hammered into the wall.

In most cases, such membranes are not attached to the floor because gravity will hold them in place. Screeds or other types of plasters, with plasterboards being especially common, could be used as covers. This solution is especially advised for properties where the substrate cannot be relied upon, and most of these systems include the installation of a perimeter drain as well.

Combination Systems – Experts would usually advise you that more is better when it comes to waterproofing. As a result, the finest waterproofing solutions could include components from all of the systems above, as well as other systems, though you should always consult an expert before attempting to cross-breed different waterproofing systems.

Landscaping tactics – In addition to the above-mentioned waterproofing strategies, there are a few very simple but extremely effective outside landscaping techniques that may be used to improve the waterproofing capacity of the system you’re utilizing in the cellar. When it comes to water, gravity must always be respected: one excellent landscaping strategy is to construct a slope around the cellar, causing water to flow away from rather than towards the cellar walls (this technique may not always be possible, such as for a cellar located at the bottom of a hill). The slope doesn’t have to be particularly steep: simply add some extra topsoil around the cellar walls, pack it down a bit, and then cover it with mulch, straw, or sod to keep the soil from being washed away by rain; similarly, grow a few plants along the cellar perimeter to further reduce soil erosion.

When it comes to waterproofing cellars, there are even more alternatives available, and one of the finishing touches should always be the application of a suitable internal waterproof paint to the ceiling and walls.