TANKING SYSTEMS
Basement waterproofing, often referred to as tanking, is an ideal way of extending and adding value to your home. There are several methods used for waterproofing basements, the main ones being cementitious render coatings and cavity membrane drainage systems. When dealing with an existing building the full makeup of the surrounding back fill soil and ground permeability is largely unknown.
BS8102 is the British Standards Institute Code of Practice for Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water from the Ground; this code of practice gives recommendations and provides guidance on methods of dealing with and preventing the entry of water from surrounding ground into a structure below ground level.
RhinoRemedial are experienced in both types of systems, we can offer an impartial opinion as to which system is best suited for your particular project.
CEMENTITIOUS TANKING SYSTEM
Cementitious tanking refers to the application of a liquid waterproof coating (tanking slurry) to the walls and floor of a basement. It is used to treat damp walls by preventing water ingress, effectively making the walls permanently watertight.
Damp walls are common in basements because the walls are below ground. Water from the retaining earth can make its way through the walls and into the basement. When this moisture passes through the wall, it can also carry salts and minerals with it. Damp walls are cold which creates issues with condensation and in turn mould. Tanking slurry is designed to deal with these issues. It is either applied directly to damp walls or in badly damaged masonry areas a waterproof render will be applied to the walls first to provide a sound working platform for the tanking slurry to be applied to. When the tanking slurry cures, it forms an impermeable waterproof barrier, preventing water ingress and damp.
It’s important to point out that unlike a cavity drain system, tanking slurry blocks water from entering your basement rather than allowing it in and controlling it to an evacuation point.
Tanking slurries are a special blend of Portland cements, aggregates and chemical modifiers that work together to block the passage of water.
MEMBRANE SYSTEM
Wycamol waterproofing membrane systems can be used for a wide variety of applications to include:
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Barn conversions
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Existing basement waterproofing
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Cellar conversions
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Structural waterproofing
Unlike conventional cementitious tanking systems, Wycamol waterproof membranes allow water into the building and then control it into a collection point before it is removed. The Wycamol waterproof membranes work alongside the Wycamol drainage system which is installed at the base of the waterproof membrane to collect the water that penetrates into the substrate and drops down behind the waterproof membrane. Once the water is collected in the drainage system it is diverted into a natural soak away, sewer or into a sump pump system to be evacuated from the building.
Traditionally in the UK cementitious tanking systems are applied to below ground structures, but if the structure is subjected to hydrostatic water pressure, the resulting bending stresses are often far too great for the barrier system to cope with and therefore de-bonding or cracking, resulting in failure will occur. The installation of the Wycamol membrane doesn’t change the status quo and therefore Wycamol cavity membranes are ideally the most suitable and economical method of providing an effective and long lasting waterproofing system that is also sympathetic towards building structures.
