Damp Proofing

Do I need to membrane and sump pump, or will a slurry and extractor fan do?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.39 PM

Hi, We've had a few people come out and give us quotes for our cellar, and they've ranged massively. There are a number of walls that seem to have something adhered to them before, some of the top white coat of this has flaked off, but there's a cement looking layer that is rough and hard as anything - and no water is coming through here. The walls on the stairs which were exposed brick when we moved in, and we had plastered are showing signs of damp. There is no ventilation down there, and we had trap door built to stop my daughter going down there, so there's a musty smell now coming from there. One builder told us to put in an extractor that could take out the air, and warm air coming in, and that this might solve the problem. That then we could just slurry the walls, replaster, and be done with it. However, another has insisted that we should membrane the whole thing and fit a sump pump - though obviously, this is more costly - and they didn't include creating an exit, which I was hoping they could do by going through the old coal chute (creating a window in our front step that you could stand on). I want to use the room, as a storage area - but a place for paperwork etc - I do want it to look neat and tidy, so laminate the floor etc. So I guess the question is - do I sump and pump or do I slurry and extractor fan? Thanks for any advice!