Damp in Basement Kitchen - How to damp-proof

cm11cmg

Hello,


We recently moved into a house with a basement kitchen. The first few weeks were fine, but after having some rain we started to get some slugs in the kitchen. Vile!


After inspecting under the kitchen units to try and find the source of the slugs, I noticed the flooring under the kitchen counters was very damp. The tiling only extends to the start of the cupboards. Also, upon inspecting the kitchen tiles this morning, I noticed water on the surface of some of the kitchen tiles and grout.


My question is, will there be a way I can rip up the tiles and damp-proof the floor, as I believe the damp is coming from the ground? For example using a liquid DPM and then reapplying a new floor. Or will I need to take up the entire floor surface?


The walls appear to be fine with the exception of a small patch of damp in one of the cupboards under the stairs.


Thanks!

armchaireconomist

There are ways and means of patching damp, new tiles with waterproof adhesive may help etc. - whatever you do don't damp proof the "floor" (i.e. the visible area) as you will make the non-damp proofed areas under units worse. Any form of waterproofing must be uniform across the surface.


Personally I would rip the kitchen out and do a "proper" job. Tanking the walls and floor is a good place to start.