The following is an overview of the energy conservation benefits of carrying out a basement conversion. At LABS we have 4 main offerings, starting from a straightforward pump install with a floor membrane, the purpose of which is solely to get water out of a basement. Although basic and not fully damp proofed, this measure is often requested when budget is of the essence and the individual simply wants not to be dredging through water when they are going to read the meters. Building on from this, we have our entry level storage basement, that has all the basic science that goes into waterproofing and damp proofing a basement. This is a very practical option for individuals who want to store items in a safe and dry place. A level up from this is our intermediate storage level conversion, that includes insulation to all the walls and plaster boarding in addition to the floor. This is for individuals that want a more aesthetically pleasing finish akin to other rooms in their respective property. Our fully habitable basement differs from this option in that it receives insulation to the ceiling also. The full conversion option is for individuals who want to add an additional living space to their property, to use as utility, extra bedroom, home gym and so forth for more information visit our website www.l-a-b-s.co.uk.
The walls, floor and roof of a house are known in the insulating world as the thermal envelope and an uninsulated property has an ineffective thermal envelope.[1] The UK has roughly 27 million homes and the majority of them are poorly insulated.[2] This is because the housing stock in the UK is some of the oldest in the world. All new builds have to be insulated to the standard required by Building Regulation L1A. However, when these older properties were built, the same specification was not required and the only option available is to retrofit them. Insulating existing dwellings is guided by Building Regulation Part L1B.
10 million UK dwellings have suspended timber ground floor homes and most of them are not insulated. Local government studies have found that 10-15% of heat loss of a home is through the floor.[3] When you take into account that 30% of the UK’s carbon footprint derives from the energy consumption of dwellings; from an environmental perspective, that is quite a worrying amount of floors that are potentially uninsulated. Insulating the floor is a cost effective and noninvasive strategy to bolster the base of the thermal envelope. Depending on the size of the property it can take 1-5 working days to complete, and the home-owner won’t have to worry about disruptions to their domestic environment as the craftsman will be working in the cellar.
There are 100’s of thousands Basements in the UK, especially in Hilly areas like Sheffield. The 2nd law of thermodynamics is that heat will travel to cold. It is most commonly understood that heat will rise and this is correct. But the fact that heat is drawn to, and subsequently lost through, cold areas is often overlooked. A previous government initiative to improve the carbon footprint made by dwellings recommended that 200,000 suspended timber floors should be insulated to meet energy efficiency targets but the uptake was only 0.5%, or 9000. The overlooking of the second law of thermodynamics is the arguably the reason why. Furthermore, it is widely accepted in the damp proofing world that a wet wall is a cold wall. Having a damp cold space underneath a property is axiomatically going to affect the thermography of the property. A basement can become what is known as a ‘heat sink’. It can draw the heat of a home, creating discomfort and adding to energy bills. Creating a warm cushion of air under your property through a basement conversion is going to positively influence the thermography of your home. As a minimum you could just insulate the ceiling of your basement, regardless, any work in the cellar is going to have a positive impact on the carbon footprint left by your home.
Furthermore more, poor ventilation can create humidity and can make the space feel colder. Under PAS 2035, the new standard for insulating dwellings, adequate ventilation is required. Additionally, insulating a property can reduce the air flow so this must be compensated for with the installation of mechanical ventilation such as a Heat Recovery Vent. These have been specifically designed to eliminate excessive moisture and have heat retention cores that ensure any heat is retained and then extracted. They are fit as standard in all of our basement conversions. Another alternative is a Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit. The unit is designed to help ventilate a home using the well-established PIV principle. It works by drawing external air into the unit, which then passes through a filter before entering the home, removing moisture laden air from the property. Additionally, airflow and temperature of the air is regulated via an integral temperature sensor and heat exchanger. This optimises the energy benefit while ensuring sufficient air is supplied to help control moisture. With the combination of adequate ventilation in the basement and floor insulation, this can contribute to the decrease of heat loss through the base of the thermal envelope.
In summary, we have looked at the energy efficiency benefits of converting your basement. Floor insulation is an overlooked measure and the benefits of insulating suspended timber ground floors have been discussed in respect to the direct impact to the home-owner and to the national carbon footprint. The fact that basements are cold and damp contributes to the heat loss through the thermal envelope of a home as they can become a heat sink. Converting your basement into a warm and dry area will negate this problem. Also, insulating the floor is a cost effective and non-invasive way to tackle the problem. In order to prevent the exasperation of condensation resulting from the installation of energy efficient measures, a mechanical ventilation system in the form of a HR Vent or a PIV unit must be installed. Follow the link below to get in touch with a member of our friendly team today for more information www.l-a-b-s.co.uk.
[1] Thermal Envelope – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
[2] [1] DECC, The Energy Efficiency Strategy: The Energy-Efficiency Opportunity in the UK, London, 2012
[3] 18] WCC, Retrofitting Historic Buildings, Westminster City Council, 2012, pp. 17.
Keeping your home safe and protected from all kinds of damp and mildew is important. Your house is sadly going to be at risk of developing all manner of issues unless you look after it properly. If you have a basement, the best place to start is at the very bottom level. Basement damp proofing has become a crucial process for many homes and families who find themselves at risk of developing damp or moist conditions which could pose serious risks to their health. Here at LABS, we are always happy and ready to take on any damp proofing tasks and concerns you may have.
Your basement is going be the room, which is closest to the ground, and therefore, it is going to be at most risk of developing damp conditions by letting water in. Consider where your home is built. Are you at risk of flooding from nearby water sources? Then you are also likely to be at risk from damp and other potentially harmful conditions. For this reason, we always recommend that you damp-proof your property in case the worst possible case scenario occurs.
It may seem simple just to leave your basement to its own devices. While in many cases, there may not be any harm in doing so, we always advise that you take caution. Damp proofing is going to mean that your home is always going to stand resistant against the threat of harmful moisture. Damp conditions can lead to mould, especially black mould, which can have a huge effect on the breathing quality of the air in your home.
As mentioned, the closest room or space to the ground floor is going to suffer the most when it comes to external moisture and damp. For this reason, you need to be very careful with what you store in your basement. Electrical equipment, for example, could be at risk of getting irreparably damaged from season to season, also timber joists are particularly prone to moisture ingress, unless they’re adequately protected with some sort of barrier protection, such as the membrane protection pictured below.
Damp often starts out in a basement thanks to its lack of waterproofing. While other rooms in your home may be waterproofed and protected, this doesn’t mean your basement benefits from the same protection. Damp and water can easily penetrate the walls of your basement, which puts it at huge risk of developing mould and other problems.
Damp may not seem like much of a problem on the face of things. If you don’t use your basement much, you may wonder what the fuss is all about. Ultimately, leaving damp to take hold can mean that you are putting your whole home and your family at risk. Mould and fungus have a habit of rising and crawling through your home, and both can carry enormous health risks. What’s more, if you have ever seen mould or fungus growing on a wall, no matter what room, it is never pleasant to behold.
Basement damp proofing is the perfect solution, if not the best preventative measure, to ensure that your home stays free from nasty damp, fungus and mould which can rise up through the building. By waterproofing your basement, and by preventing moisture from getting through, you are keeping your home clean to breathe in, and pleasant to look at. Damp proofing may not seem like something you need to enter into as a priority, however, it is greatly recommended. This is especially the case if you intend to grow a family, or if you really want to develop your property.
LABS offer passionate, knowledgeable experts who have worked with thousands of different basements and other damp proofing jobs over the years. This means you can always rely on us to offer you the most efficient, cost-effective preventative measures for keeping moisture out of where it’s not wanted. Some moisture in the air is necessary – but too much, and your home is going to become a hotbed for nasty bacteria and disease. Why take the risk? It is surely worth the investment to ask an expert to come and take a closer look.
LABS operate in and around Sheffield, and even beyond. Call our team at any time to arrange a free quote and consultation, and to learn more about the damp proofing process. We’re here to help keep your home fighting fit for years to come! Call us on 0114 230 2865 or drop us an email today for more details and let’s get started ASAP.
Tanking, also known as ‘Type A barrier protection, is a form of waterproofing typically applied to basement spaces, however it can also refer to general waterproofing. Tanking means to block water and deny it access to a structure, usually by means of applying a barrier product to spaces that are vulnerable, such as in between the wall and plasterboards or stud work. It can also be applied externally.
BS8102 is the industry accepted best practice when undertaking structural waterproofing of below ground structures. Your builder should always consult BS8102 and or engage with a specialist waterproofing company before undertaking any basement waterproofing project to ensure that everything is done to the correct standard.
BS8102 covers types A, B and C waterproofing types, and gives guidance on correct installation. Please continue reading below for more information on the different types of waterproofing systems.
Drained protection involves using an internal drainage system, which includes a perimeter drainage channel and sump pump. This system involves installing a dimpled membrane on both the walls and floor, this then allows for any moisture that is gathered behind the membrane, to fall in to the perimeter drainage system which installed around the edge of the room, from here it runs in to the sump pump chamber, whereby it is discharged externally in to a drain. This is the most common type of basement waterproofing that we do at LABS, and it is in our experience the most effective. It is also desirable, as the system is completely hidden once the walls have been boarded and skimmed, and the flooring details are finished.
At LABS we do two variations of this system. The first one, is where the client intends to use the space as a habitable area (such as a living room or kitchen.) This system is essentially the one mentioned above, whereby everything is hidden once the project is finished, habitable basements also require a means of escape from the basement such as a window (minimum size of 600mm x 900mm). The second variation is for a storage basement, which comes in at a slightly cheaper cost. This is because in this system, the membranes installed on the walls are left exposed (no plasterboards/skim), and no means of escape is required to be installed.
Waterproof concrete is only really an option on a newly built basement. It is defined as ‘Type B structural integral protection’ within the code of practice BS8102. Waterproof concrete shares similarity with ‘tanking,’ in that water is blocked out of the structure, it differs in the fact that there is no physical barrier product included (such as a membrane).
There are some criticisms leveled at waterproofing concrete, from experts in our industry. Within our industry, it is fairly commonly reported that basement systems have failed, when this type of system has been used, when it has not been installed correctly. Typically, this is due to weak points at the construction joints, when concrete is being poured.
This is completely dependent on what you intend to use the space for but can also be affected by the levels of risk that are acceptable to the client.
BS8102 states that ‘even when a site investigation indicates dry conditions, the risk of future waterlogging should still be assumed’. The majority of water that finds its way into a basement is rainfall. However, there can be other causations such as a burst water mains pipe. It is for these reasons that it is important to always consider that, whilst it may not be wet or damp now, the issue can arise fast and cause a lot of damage to structures.
It may be acceptable to take small risks and spend a little bit less on damp proofing with a very basic basement space, however if you’re planning on investing a lot of money in to your basement space, it doesn’t make sense to try and cut costs on the waterproofing measures, as materials such as plasterboards will deteriorate over time, even if they are seemingly dry.
This is purely dependent on what you intend to use the space for. What you intend to place, and or store in the area and if you intend to inhabit it. If you can answer these questions, we can help you decide and design a project appropriate to your needs.
The drained protection system that we install at LABS, actually tends to benefit both sides of the party wall, because the system relieves any potential ground water pressure, meaning that any ingress of water on both sides, will be slowed. However, this is not the case when concrete tanking systems are applied, as this tends to increase the pressure of ground water on party walls, leading to more prevalent water ingress.
Whether or not you have to serve a party wall notice depends completely on the works that are being undertaken. For example, if you are underpinning or undertaking any structural alterations, you would have to service a party wall notice. If you are simply installing a dimpled membrane, with plug fixing, you may not have to.
LABS is here to help with basement conversions, damp control and much more. Looking for a new habitable space? Thinking about pricing up a basement storage conversion? Turn to a local team of experts you can trust. Call us today on 0114 230 2865 or make sure to send us an email through our web form. We’ll get back in touch with you as soon as we can!
In this blog post, we will be discussing storage basements, the science behind storage basements, the knock-on effect of saving and conserving heat, and the value that this kind of conversion might add to your property. Storage basements are a fantastic, cost-effective alternative to external storage at your property, and the conversion could raise the value by 5% to 10%!
The Science behind our storage basements
The first step of converting a basement for storage, is to achieve a reasonable head height for the client. This might include removing any existing flooring, or concrete that might already be in place. Storage basements are referred to as “Grade 2” conversions, meaning that the space doesn’t have to be habitable, but it still has to be worked to accommodate the British standard BS8102. This standard details that no water penetration is acceptable, however small damp areas are tolerated.
Regardless of this, we at LABS work to ensure that the basement doesn’t receive any damp patches after our works have been carried out. This is mostly thanks to our specialist dimpled membrane, which we fix to the walls with our sealed plugs, this is carried out in order to limit and prevent moisture. It also helps to improve airflow in the room, lessening the risk of condensation.
The next step is to dig out the floor (if required) to a comfortable head height for the client. This is a less rigorous dig than on a habitable basement, as there is no specific head height that we must reach to meet BS8102 requirements. Following the dig-out, we dig another 600mm deep by 600mm wide hole, where our sump pump chamber (along with the pump) can sit. This is then plumbed in to receive any water from the perimeter drainage channel, and discharge the water out of the property and away from the foundations. After the installation of the sump pump, the chamber is then concreted firmly in place. Once these steps have been completed, we install 50mm of rigid insulation over the new concrete slab and drainage channel. This will help to keep the room at a good temperature. Concrete is then poured to create a new floor, with wood around the edges, which will be removed to allow for our perimeter drainage channel.
This is then followed by the installation of the perimeter drainage channel, which sits at the bottom of the membrane inside the newly formed lanes around the edge of the room in the concrete – accepting any moisture that runs down behind the membrane. In all the corners of the drainage channel, we also install rodding eyes, so that the perimeter drainage can be maintained and tested, by our approved maintenance workers.
Bear in mind, that with a storage basement it is down to the customer to decide which parts of the conversion they would like. Some people, for example, might choose to leave out steps, such as the digging out of the old concrete slab, and installation of a new one.
Heat Recovery Ventilator Unit
The heat recovery units for single rooms have been specifically designed to eliminate excessive moisture and help to prevent condensation. This eliminates risks to property and health whilst retaining up to 80% of heat contained within the outgoing air. We tend to install these on the majority of our storage basements, as they are a very cost-effective way of mitigating the risk of condensation and eliminating any excess moisture in the air, which could lead to damp problems, or even mould growth.
Cost effectiveness
A storage basement is a more cost-effective way of damp proofing your basement space, rather than going for the more expensive Grade 3 habitable space.
Storage basements are also an efficient way to save money on external storage. A quick search for external storage solutions, showed that the average price for a mere 4 square meters of storage space, costs around £50 per week! Meaning that somebody who intends to store things all year round might pay £2600 for a unit, where they might be able to convert their unused basement space for just over double this. Our storage basements are also guaranteed for 20 years, so if a part of the system was to fail, the replacement would be free.
Certificate of Guarantee
LABS as a Wykamol Approved Contractor offers Certificates of Guarantee on all of our storage basement conversions, in order to give the customer peace of mind. With one of these guarantees, the works that we have undertaken will be guaranteed for 25 years, and as such if any of our systems have any issues, we will make time to come and service the system.
Call LABS Building Services today on 0114 2302865 for any basement enquiries, or to book yourself in for a free survey!
