Damp cellar

Wakz

Hi, hoping there some damp expert on here.
I bought a property that had a concrete floor, upon inspection realised the steel and wood supporting the floor and rotten though and had to be replaced, due to there being a cellar underground which had been closed ever since the building was built

After replacement of the floor, the cellar was left untouched. Unfortunately this caused the new wood floor to rot over a year or so.

The cellar floor had a damp proof membrane put down and flags laid on top. Floor seems to be dry, however the walls are wet to touch. There is no visible water running down though

The walls are completely underground so id guess its penetrating damp, and i doubt there is a damp course membrane as it is a old building. There is also no ventilation as it is underground and air bricks cant be installed.

Any advice on what should be done? Had a comment that the walls should be tanked.

anotherbaldrick

You will need to have the walls tanked with a waterproof render. There are good specialist companies that will undertake this work and insure the water tightness, but it will cost .

tony6403

Tanking probably best but ventilation can be installed using telescopic underfloor vents.
Example http://www.manthorpe.co.uk/Building/Products/Through-Wall-Underfloor-Vents/Telescopic-Underfloor-Vent.html

Wakz

Thanks for the replies.
Are there any companies you could recommend?
I've rang up one or two local "damp specialist" to come have a look and see what they say, im expecting them to tell me a lot of work needs doing/expensive job.

I understand how tanking works, I tried doing it on one wall however that resulted in the wall staying visibly wet with water droplets on it so not sure what ive done wrong there.

I get how the tanking works but what would go on the wall to where the wood for the floor is against it.
Presumably the wood touching the damp wall has caused it to rot so how would that be fixed?

anotherbaldrick

Most contractors work in their quartel area. This one in the south east, their web site is worth looking at for ideas.
http://www.apgoochbasementwaterproofing.co.uk/about_apgooch.htm