Advice needed - Damp

[woody23]

Hi guys

I am just about to bite off more than i can chew and convert my cellar to a home cinema room

Currently the cellar is quite cold and damp and was wondering what advice you can offer to help

Obviously i need it 100% dry before i start major work on the cellar and was wondering if any of you had used a cheapish company or recommend a very good DIY kit?

i can upload pics if needed?

hope you can help and appreciate any of your comments

[Steve N]

You'll need a dehumidifier to help dry the whole room out.

When we had a washing machine spill in our utility room it took over a month to get the concrete floor to an acceptable level of dryness before the replacement vinyl could be fitted.
Visually, it looked ok the next day.
The Insurance company company paid an additional £1 per day towards the electricity costs for running the dehumidifier.

With a cellar it may never dry out fully unless you get damp proofing to the outside areas of the walls which would be a major job.

I'd certainly get professional advice.

Sorry, but good luck

[woody23]

Originally Posted by Steve N

With a cellar it may never dry out fully unless you get damp proofing to the outside areas of the walls which would be a major job.

Sorry, but good luck

This is what i am thinking, looks like its going to cost me a lot though

thanks for the comments

[Mickus]

You could damp-proof from the inside via a water-proof membrane / floating wall / floor solution. Don't think it's a DIY solution though and have no idea on cost.

http://www.newton-membranes.co.uk/

[velvitjester]

its not a diy job,you need to tank the whole basement.

The damp dopesnt just dry out,it continuously comes in.

So its not just a case of drying it out.

[woody23]

tank? tell me more......

[wilding]

As above you need to tank the room using a membrane, have a search for my ongoing cellar conversion thread it shows some pictures of what is meant by tanking. I used the Olydroyd membrane.

HTH Danny

[wilding]

Also I did a DIY job and it is very simple

[inzaman]

Originally Posted by woody23

tank? tell me more......

Check out the FAQS at the top of this section as there ar esome cellar conversions in there, my own included. This will give you an idea as to the magnitude of such a conversion

[woody23]

Thanks to inzaman and wilding

Some great work you have done and totally inspired me to do the same

I phoned today to ask for some quotes, the best i could find was around £1200 to Tank the whole cellar (comes with a 25 year warrenty)

Does that sound good?

[wilding]

Sounds to cheap to be honest. It cost me more than that just for the membrane and plugs etc....What size room is it? are you goning to use a sump/pump incase any water gets in?

Danny

[daveblade]

just done my garage the same way an it cost me 2100 for the room to be made inside the garage

the membrane was i think 1200 gauge for the whole room inc floor and ceiling

i was a little worried when i started and then i was thinking well thair is no going back and all the stuff was orderd

dont forget it isnt just lining out the celler thair will be the cost of sound proofing the plastering the electric switches and cabling poss door to fit

i dont want to put you off atall just dont do it on the cheap as it will bite you on the ass if you dont do it right
total cost for the garage is about 4000 pounds to me its worth it as i like gaming and movies
just ake sure you dont put money into a bottomless pit

good luck mate i hope you do the job and it come out a nice set up that you are happy with

[woody23]

Yeah i understand that there is going to be a lot of added costs

I have only just finished out lounge and thats turned out so so nicely (can upload pics if wanted)

I have the official damp proof company coming to give me a written quote later next week

I wont be cutting any corners when doing this conversion and if it means waiting a few more months to save a few more pennies then thats what i will do, the last thing i want to do is ruin a beautiful house that we have only bought just under a year ago

I will make sure that i update this thread as much as i can with updates and lots of photos to show the developments made

The size of the room is 3.5 meters by 5 meters

Thanks again to all the replies so far.......