On this website the terms 'cellar' and 'basement' are used interchangeably to mean a room or collection of rooms that are located below (or partially below) ground level. In the UK the term 'cellar...
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The cost of a basement conversion will depend on a number of factors including:
The size of the basement
Whether it is necessary to lower the floor to provide adequate headroom
Whether underpi...
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In virtually all cases a basement conversion will add to the value of a property. However the exact increase in value will depend on a number of factors such as local property prices, the size of t...
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It is difficult to provide exact figures. However, the cost of including a basement as a proportion of overall project cost is lowest where land costs are high and on sites with ground conditions t...
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Basements can be used for virtually any purpose that above-ground rooms can be used for. Popular uses in domestic properties include playrooms, gyms, swimming pools, music rooms / studios, kitchens...
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Not necessarily, however it is important that heating and ventilation are balanced in order to prevent problems associated with condensation. Also, under Ciria 139 Levels of Dryness document, where...
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Plug sockets can simply be surface mounted onto the plasterboard, preferably using plastic boxes. Cables, conduits and pipes can be run in the cavity between the Oldroyd Xv cavity drain membrane (h...
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No. This is because Vandex (http://www.cellars.co.uk/products/vandex-cementitious-waterproofing-products) is vapour-permeable and therefore will not act as a barrier to radon gas. A separate r...
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There are two approaches to waterproofing a basement internally. One method involves cementitious tanking with a waterproofing render or waterproofing slurry, such as Vandex Uni ...
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While it may be possible to install the products yourself, we would suggest that you use a specialist contractor who has experience of the materials used, as well as the competency to ensure ...
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Cementitious tanking systems are vapour permeable. As vapour movement is usually from within the basement out towards the ground, this is an advantage. There may be occasions however when the ...
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No, you do not, but in this case provision should be made for a high-profile drainage membrane to be installed to the floor. Also, the height of the floor within the boundaries of the channel will ...
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In below ground situations it is nearly always necessary to form a complete system. To facilitate this it is necessary to temporarily remove window frames, door frames and if present timber stairca...
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When deciding on your waterproofing (design), you will need to be wary of creating a perched water table and also putting the structure/waterproofing under stress. This is more of a risk if there i...
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The use of contiguous / secant piling and diaphragm wall construction techniques to construct retaining walls is common in large commercial basement projects. The nature of these construction techn...
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This would depend on the intended use for the area. For example if the area is to be used for ‘habitable’ space, a Vapour Control Layer would undoubtedly be required. However if the spa...
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If there is the risk of a higher level of water ingress into the basement, when refurbishing/waterproofing the area, it is wise to specify a high-profile membrane for the floor slab, such as Oldroy...
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Yes, there are pipework kits available that are ordered upon request. For example, there is a pipework kit for the Sentry Twin sump and pump system which channels the two pump outlets into one disc...
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Yes. Under the revision of BS8102:2009 (Protection of below ground structures against water from the ground), basement waterproofing designs must be to full-height in order to cover the possbility ...
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You can see significant benefits through:
• Reduced running costs including energy and maintenance
• Greater life expectancy for equipment
• Reduced risk of breakdown with its res...
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It is not recommended. Building regulations require two pumps, one for ground-water (uncontrollable) and one for waste (grey) water (controllable).
The basement pump is designed to only take groun...
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Generally, Oldroyd Xp membrane (http://www.cellars.co.uk/products/plaster-membrane-oldroyd-xp) is installed in above-ground situations, for example where a new DPC has been installed and there...
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The application of Oldroyd membranes (http://www.safeguardeurope.com/cad/XV-001.pdf) as part of the process to provide a dry decorative surface is very broad and very often there is the tempta...
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Because it is not feasible to compact it as well as is required for water resistant concrete, plus all the ties required provide many water pathways.
Further to this, does it make a difference if ...
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When using cavity drainage (Type C) systems the fabric of the building MUST offer "Primary Resistance". Specific guidance can be located in BS8102:2009 - Section 10.1, page 31. In some cases, local...
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There are many waterproofing solutions and products designed for basement waterproofing. Which ones to consider will depend on a number of factors, but the main question we would ask is - 'is ...
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