Lifecote Tanking Systems

How to fix, solve, treat and prevent dampness in basements and Cellars 

Cementitious "tanking" and epoxy systems are a traditional method of waterproofing and can be used as an alternative to cavity drain membranes in certain applications. Cementitious systems are suited to contracts where limited areas are to be treated or where drainage cannot be easily achieved. These systems can also be used in combination with cavity drain membranes, most commonly where headroom is limited or where there is a flat soffit with no drainage falls.

• Single component, polymer modified cement "tanking" system for walls and floors
• Highly effective damp proof membrane for brickwork, concrete or any cementitious substrate

Surfaces to be treated should be correctly prepared, free from all loose materials and contaminants and be in a sound and solid condition. For application to floors products should be applied directly to the structural slab. For wall applications products should be sandwiched between sand/cement render coats. For all applications, special attention should be given to wall/floor junctions.

NB: Fillet Seal is a pre-packed, cement based and polymer modified product for use as a floor to wall junction seal during waterproofing works when using cementitious slurry coatings and renders. Fillet Seal helps to ensure a smooth transition between horizontal and vertical surfaces which minimises the risk of leaving gaps or holes unsealed during the waterproofing works.

        

An Example of a Lifecote Tanking Project 

    

    

           This was a damp cellar. 

 

 

 

           

                                                             

                                                                                .

                                                          

.

                  Wall preperation

              

                                     





                                                                                                                              .

                                                    

    

        The floor and walls are repaired.

                 Structural Water Proofing Begins

 

 

 

 

          walls are ready for insulation and plastering.

 

          

                                      

 

 

 







               The Ceiling insulation process and plastering.

 

    

       

 

              The Project is complete.

 





                          







The property has been valued at £25,000 more

with two dry reception rooms rather than one. 

Lifecote charged the customer £11,000 + VAT which included all decoration, electrics, heating and flooring.

A substantial discount would be available for tanking only.                                                   

                                    

Lifecote Membrane Systems

In many properties particularly in cities, there are unused lower ground floor/basement or cellar areas, where externally high ground levels to the perimeter, typically to the main front elevation will encourage dampness to penetrate laterally. When considering the very high cost of property in this region, and with living space at a premium, inevitably it would be considered cost effective to successfully damp proof the basement or cellar area, to form part of the living accommodation, and this would involve internal remedial structural water proofing and associated damp proofing works and replastering. During any inspection arranged, our surveyor will advise to this regard and specify one or a number of different types of systems which are available depending on circumstances, to successfully eliminate dampness, including considering the most widely used systems involving either a cementatious type chemical vertical membrane or ‘tanking’ application, or perhaps a cavity drain membrane system, which is becoming more popular, involving less initial destruction and preparation works. The cementatious systems normally require plasters and renders internally to be removed back to the original masonry, and it may also be necessary at the same time to consider incorporating within the cementatious system (or the cavity drain membrane system) a chemically injected damp proof course depending on the external ground levels or adjoining property levels which will be taken into consideration by our surveyor during his inspection. Generally cementatious systems such as Vandex BB.75 or Triton TT.55 waterproof slurry, require a render coat of washed sand and cement to be applied to the prepared clean brick or stone masonry with the cementatious membrane applied to the surface of the new render as per the manufacturers recommendations in a minimum of two coats (green on green) with suitable overlap detailing between the vertical membrane of the walls with any proposed horizontal membrane depending on floor construction or proposals. The cavity drain membrane systems, such as Tritons Isola Platon System, provides an alternative to conventional cementatious tanking systems. Cementatious systems work by holding the water back within the wall structure, the cavity drain membrane system works on the principal of allowing water to continue to penetrate the structure, but controlling the dampness in the air gap and diverting it to a suitable drainage point. Depending on circumstances this could involve the installation of a suitable sump pump which may incorporate a backup and failure warning system. This system does not allow pressure to build up against the internal construction, and the air gap behind the membrane allows the structure to breath ‘and to some extent dry’. Membranes are of plastic, type, and are fixed to the masonry using special damp proof seal plugs, sealing tape and rope, with overlap detailing at junctions, which involves minimal preparation required to the substrat. It is often a requirement when installing cavity drain membrane systems however as mentioned earlier, to incorporate within the programme the installation of a drainage sump pump system which may include a back up pump and failure warning alarm.

Typical unused space Installing a cavity drain membrane system Installation of fixing plugs to plation A stunning basement conversion