Cellar tanking in Exeter
Professional cellar tanking services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote
Typical Duration
Multiple days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional cellar tanking to waterproof your basement. Stop damp, create usable space. Not a quick fix - proper waterproofing that lasts.
Transform Your Damp Cellar
Got a cellar that's basically unusable? Damp walls, puddles on the floor, that musty smell that makes you hold your breath?
Cellar tanking fixes this properly. Waterproof membrane system installed to walls and floor, drainage channel fitted, new screed laid. You end up with a genuinely dry space you can actually use.
💡 Pro tip: Tanking doesn't stop water trying to get in - it creates a barrier that keeps it out. The water is still there in the ground, you've just made your cellar watertight against it.
Why Tanking Works Where Damp Treatment Doesn't
| ✅ Proper Tanking | ❌ Just Painting Over It |
|---|---|
| Waterproof membrane barrier | Temporary cosmetic fix |
| Drainage channel for water | Water has nowhere to go |
| Dry, usable space created | Still damp, just hidden |
| Lasts decades | Fails within months |
What's Involved
🔧 The Tanking Process
| Stage | What Happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Clear cellar, remove old finishes, clean walls/floor | 1 day |
| Drainage | Install perimeter drainage channel | 1 day |
| Membrane | Apply waterproof membrane to walls and floor | 2-3 days |
| Floor | New screed over membrane | 1-2 days |
| Finish | Walls plastered, floor finished | 2-3 days |
📦 What You End Up With
- Completely waterproof cellar
- Dry walls and floor
- Space you can actually use
- Adds value to your property
This Is A Big Job
Not going to lie to you - cellar tanking is expensive and disruptive. But if you want a usable cellar, it's the only proper way to do it.
Cheaper alternatives:
- Just accept it's a damp cellar for storage only
- Dehumidifier running permanently (expensive and never truly dry)
- External waterproofing (often impossible without digging up neighbors)
Tanking is worth it if:
- You want to convert cellar to living space
- You're losing space you could be using
- You're serious about adding value to your property
- Damp is affecting the house above
Why You Need A Quote
Every cellar is different. Size, condition, water ingress level, access, existing finishes - it all affects cost and time.
I need to see your cellar to give you a realistic quote. I can usually tell you on the spot whether tanking is the right approach or if there's a simpler solution.
Why Choose Us for Cellar tanking in Exeter?
Stop water ingress completely
Make cellars usable spaces
Professional membrane system
Long-lasting waterproofing
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey & Quote
I come look at your cellar, assess the damp situation, measure up, and give you a detailed quote with breakdown of work involved.
Step 2: The Work
If you go ahead, cellar gets cleared (you do this bit), then I start the tanking process. Takes several days, makes a mess, but ends with a dry cellar.
Step 3: Final Finish
Once tanking is done and dried, you can plaster and finish however you want - or I can do that too if you prefer.
🔧 DIY Tips
Honest answer: Don't DIY cellar tanking unless you really know what you're doing.
The materials aren't that expensive, but getting it wrong means the whole lot fails and you've wasted money and time. Water always finds the weakness.
If you're determined:
- Use proper tanking membrane system (Wykamol, Delta, etc.)
- Follow manufacturer's instructions exactly
- Don't skimp on the drainage channel - water needs somewhere to go
- Seal all joints and corners properly - that's where leaks happen
- Consider getting it inspected before you screed over it
What usually goes wrong with DIY tanking:
- Missed joints or poor sealing
- No drainage channel, so water pressure builds up
- Wrong adhesive or membrane for the conditions
- Not preparing walls properly first
- Screeding over it before checking for leaks
💡 Pro reality check: Most failed cellar tanking I see is DIY attempts. The materials cost a few hundred quid, the labor is the expensive bit. If you can't afford professional tanking, you probably can't afford to do it twice when DIY fails.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚠️ Building regulations: If you're converting a cellar to habitable space, you'll need building control involved. Ceiling height, fire escape, ventilation all matter. Check before you start.
Old Exeter properties often have cellars - Victorian and Edwardian houses were commonly built with them. They're fantastic spaces if properly waterproofed, but brutal if left damp.
This is specialist work. I do cellar tanking but it's not a quick handyman job - it's proper waterproofing that needs doing right. Hence why quotes vary and I need to see your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cellar tanking?
It's waterproofing your cellar from the inside using a membrane system. Basically creating a watertight 'tank' inside your existing cellar walls and floor. Stops water getting in and makes the space dry and usable.
Is tanking better than just treating the damp?
For cellars, usually yes. External waterproofing isn't possible on most cellars (you'd have to dig up next door's house), and tanking creates a proper watertight barrier. It's the industry standard approach for making cellars actually dry.
How long does cellar tanking take?
Depends on size, but usually several days. Small cellar might be 3-4 days, larger ones a week or more. It's proper work - membrane to walls and floor, drainage channel, new floor screed, the lot.
Can I use the cellar as living space after tanking?
Yes, that's usually the point. Once tanked, your cellar is a dry, usable space. People create gyms, offices, bedrooms, cinema rooms. Building regs and planning permission might apply depending on use - worth checking.
How much does cellar tanking cost?
It varies massively based on cellar size and condition. Small cellar might be £3,000-£5,000, larger ones £8,000-£15,000+. I'll need to see it to give you a proper quote. Not a cheap job but transforms unusable space into valuable living area.
Cellar tanking Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your cellar tanking job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Cellar tanking in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your cellar tanking job in Exeter today.