Damp Proofing – What Is Tanking?

Jun 1, 2018 | Damp Proofing | 0 comments

Basements and cellars are usually damp. This is mainly because their walls are below the ground. Hence, water easily seeps through the walls and spreads to the different parts of the room.   Consequently, due to the damp, these rooms tend to have a musty, mouldy or foul smell.

This is why, even if these areas have ample spaces, they are not fully utilised or are not even used at all. This shouldn’t be the case, though. You can turn your basement or cellar into a dry space and use it without worrying about damp and related problems like moulds.

How can you protect your basement and cellar from damp? Tanking is the answer! Basically, tanking is all about damp proofing areas of the house which are below the ground or those with external walls which are not accessible just like basements and cellars.

In this method, a membrane that is impermeable to water is applied on the walls. This barrier or membrane’s purpose is to block water that comes from below which happens when water table rises. It is also meant to prevent water coming from above to entre and flood the basements and cellars.

One of the two most common tanking systems is external tanking. As the name suggests, this method involves the application of a membrane or coating to the outside of the structure to prevent water from getting inside. The membrane is usually installed during the construction of the building.

Aside from external tanking, there is also internal tanking which is used after construction. It is likewise applied on existing basements or cellars, especially those with external sides which are not accessible.

Tanking systems may last up to 10 years. If it is installed properly, it may even last longer. However, please note that certain factors can affect its longevity. For example, if you live in an area where it always rains or where flooding usually happens, your tanking system may have a shorter life span. Living in a place near busy roads or a railway line may also make the lining more vulnerable to cracking.

If you suspect that there is something wrong with your tanking system, call a damp proofing company right away. Remember, damp in these areas can spread quickly. When this happens, the damage can become extensive and affect the structural integrity of your house.

It is also important that you entrust the application or repair of your tanking system to a professional damp proofing company. Nowadays, there is an abundance of materials, including videos, on the Internet on how to “tank” basements and cellars. This may encourage you to go the DIY route. However, this is not a good idea, especially if you have no prior experience.

We’ve had clients who attempted to do this job on their own or got amateurs to do it. Unfortunately, this decision did not yield good results – the repaired tanking system did not last long. Worse, the damage has become more extensive, resulting in more costly repairs.

Please bear in mind, basement or cellar tanking is not something you learn overnight. Successfully doing this task requires specific skills and extensive experience; professional damp proofing specialists have both. Moreover, they have the required tools and materials needed to do this job properly. So, if you want your tanking system to last long, let professionals do the job!

Looking for a damp proofing specialist to repair a failed tanking system? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.