Damp services · Brighton & Hove
Basement & cellar waterproofing
Tanking and cavity drainage to turn a damp cellar into usable, dry space.
Basement and cellar waterproofing turns a damp, unusable space into dry, useful room. Brighton and Hove have a lot of period properties with cellars, and most were never designed to stay dry. We waterproof them properly using tanking or a cavity drainage system, so you can use the space without water coming through.
This is the most involved damp work we do, and the most rewarding, because it often unlocks a whole extra floor of the house.
Why cellars get damp
A below-ground room is surrounded by soil that holds water, so moisture is constantly pushing against the walls and floor. Original cellars usually have no waterproofing at all, or old failed render. The result is damp walls, standing water after rain, white salt deposits and that distinctive cellar smell.
The two ways to waterproof
There’s no single right method; it depends on the cellar and how you want to use it.
Tanking applies a waterproof barrier directly to the walls and floor, holding water back. It suits solid, stable structures and is a good fit for storage or utility space.
Cavity drainage is the more robust approach for habitable rooms. A studded membrane lines the walls and floor, any water that gets through is channelled to a sump and pumped away, and the room is finished over the top. It manages water rather than fighting it, which makes it reliable for living space.
We recommend the method that matches your cellar and your plans, and explain the trade-offs rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
What’s involved
After the survey we set out a clear scope: preparing the structure, installing the chosen system, fitting any pump and drainage, and finishing the space ready for use. We work to keep disruption down and the site tidy.
What it costs
Basement waterproofing typically runs from around £4,000 into five figures, because it covers large areas and often includes drainage and a pump. Our cost guide explains the range, and your survey gives you a fixed scope and price.
Common questions
Can I turn my cellar into a room? Often yes. A cavity drainage system is designed for habitable space, and many Brighton cellars convert well.
How long does it last? Systems are backed by a long guarantee, and cavity drainage is designed for ongoing reliability with simple maintenance.
Thinking about your cellar? Book a free survey and we’ll tell you what’s possible.
Free survey
We visit, find the real cause of the damp, and explain it in plain English — no jargon, no pressure.
Clear diagnosis
You get an honest written assessment: what's wrong, what isn't, and what actually needs doing.
Fixed-price quote
A clear, itemised quote. The survey fee comes off the cost of any work you go ahead with.
Guaranteed work
Tidy, specialist work backed by a 30-year guarantee, with as little disruption as possible.
Other services
Rising damp treatment
Tide marks and crumbling plaster at skirting level? We diagnose and fix it for good.
Penetrating damp
Water tracking through walls from outside — traced to the source and stopped.
Condensation & mould
Black mould and streaming windows? We tackle the cause, not just the symptom.
Worried about damp? Book a free survey.
Honest diagnosis, a fixed-price quote, and no pressure. Covering Brighton, Hove & Sussex.