WHAT IS BASEMENT TANKING?
Tanking is a traditional form of waterproofing which when applied, forms a barrier to prevent water ingress through an internal wall. Whilst water management systems are designed to collect and channel away water ingress in walls, tanking acts by preventing water ingress altogether. The most common method of tanking walls involves the application of tanking or cementitious slurry.
TANKING SLURRY
Tanking slurry is a two coat system which when applied on damp masonry will form a waterproof barrier. Tanking slurry normally comes in powder form and when mixed forms a soup like formula and is then ready to be applied to walls. After the slurry is applied to walls, it dries and forms a barrier which prevents water from seeping through.
WHAT’S THE BENEFIT OF TANKING WALLS?
Any space below ground level faces the risk of water ingress due to hydrostatic pressure pushing water to the lowest possible point. Water ingress can cause a variety of property problems such as damp, rot and flooding with the potential of expensive treatment. Tanking a wall will protect the structure and ensure that water cannot penetrate through the internal walls.
HOW TO APPLY TANKING TO WALLS
Before tanking walls, it is important to sufficiently clean walls by removing any dust or damaged plaster or paint. Hygroscopic salts is a common cause of dampness in walls as they absorb moisture in the air which will lead to damp issues. Applying a salt neutralizer to the walls will prevent these salts from mixing with the tanking slurry. Before the slurry is applied, all cracks and holes in the wall should be filled as failure to do so will cause the tanking system to be unsuccessful. The slurry should be applied to the walls using a masonry brush and once the first coating is dry, a second coating of tanking slurry should be applied to ensure a waterproof barrier has been formed. Once the second coating has dried, the walls are ready to be painted or plastered and will now be effectively waterproofed.
PROFESSIONAL WALL TANKING
Although tanking walls does not require professional application, we would always recommend contacting tanking specialists before tanking walls. Incorrect application will cause the tanking system to be ineffective, leaving the property at a heightened risk to flooding. Tanking systems can fail even with correct application as not every property is suitable for tanking. It is possible for cracks to form from vibrations caused nearby traffic or train stations. That’s why we would always recommend speaking to a tanking specialist who can advise on the most suitable waterproofing system for your property and ensure the system is installed correctly and safely.
CONTACT THE TANKING EXPERTS
If you have a query regarding tanking or any form of waterproofing, don’t hesitate to call Wise Basement Systems today or fill out this brief enquiry form to get in touch with our waterproofing specialists who can offer expert advice on the best waterproofing system for your property.
