Greg Meyer Construction Ltd

Existing Cellar Improvement

Improvement of existing cellars can be one of the most economical ways to
increase floor space in an established home.  We often encounter cellars with 
low ceiling heights and moisture ingress problems that make these spaces 
damp, cramped and most unattractive.

Our solution for this problem is to deepen the cellar by removing the existing 
floor and perform a minor wall extension (underpinning) procedure to extend the 
existing cellar walls to the required depth.  We can often perform this procedure 
internally with no disruption on the outside of the home. Upon occasion we 
even find the original walls have been constructed to a sufficient depth that 
wall extensions are not required. 

After the extension step is complete the remainder of the soil present in the 
cellar is removed and sub-floor drainage pipe is placed.  This drainage pipe 
collects any ground water that may seep under the new floor and directs it to 
an under floor collection sump.  The water that is collected in the sump is then 
automatically pumped away when the water rises to a predetermined level. 

If water seepage through the walls is a problem, at this stage a special 
plastic membrane is attached to the wall surface.  This membrane is dimpled 
to allow a space for ground water to migrate between the membrane and wall 
surface and into the under floor drainage system.  Standard finishes such as 
plaster or dry lining can be applied over the membrane to obtain a high degree 
of finish.

The next step is to pour a new concrete floor.  If insulation of the floor is desired,
first a 100 mm layer of concrete is placed.  After this layer hardens a layer of 
insulation is placed on top of the new concrete and second concrete "screed layer"
is poured over the floor insulation.

The final step is to apply the desired aesthetic surface to the basement walls.

If you have any questions please contact us by e-mail by clicking here, 
or by telephone on 01323 482 832 or 07900 464 867 

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