DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi

After investigating a damp smell from a cupboard in my converted basement I found that there was water ingress from the wall area. Further investigation shows that a small trickle of water is penetrating at a small area where the concrete floor meets the wall as shown in the attached picture. The wall to left and above leak are not wet to the touch.

A local builder has had a look and quoted £875 to do the following, all exterior:
. Take back existing stone
. Cut back membrane around perimeter of ground level from slope to main back area
. Dig down past Dpc level
. Clean brick
. Seal brick
. Apply a water base cement to brick works
. Apply bitumen to walls
. Apply new membrane
. Place stone back to existing place (non contaminated )

However it has been suggested that it may be possible to flood the internal area with bitumen to provide an adequate seal. Anyone got any thoughts on this approach as it is obviously the much cheaper option. Maybe using something like this https://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/241217/?source=123_75

Cheers
Neil

I always use aquapruff buitumin sealant for jobs like this and have found it works well, Havent used wicks own brand but its a similar product

welsh brickie wrote:I always use aquapruff buitumin sealant for jobs like this and have found it works well, Havent used wicks own brand but its a similar product

Thanks for the reply.
My worry would be that the dampness could rise, maybe above the bitumen? What are the chances of the brick being extensively damaged from the outside if I went down this route?

I cant really give you odds, it will either work or not, But in my opinion it should work

welsh brickie wrote:I cant really give you odds, it will either work or not, But in my opinion it should work

So is it a common fix to seal with bitumen from the inside? Sorry if I'm repeating myself but unsure if you would apply it to both inside and out or if internal application would suffice?

internally should suffice, it works in basements as a tanking solution