Basement conversion

Welcome to Allerton Damp Proofing, Yorkshire’s basement conversion and cellar conversion specialist serving:

Leeds | York | Wakefield | Harrogate | Bradford | Huddersfield | Halifax | Doncaster | Sheffield | Hull | Selby

 Guarantees Provided

Long-term guarantees issued with our work

 Highly Experienced

More than 35 years in business to-date

 Quality Approved

Vetted and checked by our Trade Bodies

0% Finance Available

Finance plans of up to 10 years available

DAMP PROOFING BELOW GROUND

Why it's necessary

Any room below ground, such as in a basement conversion, must be constructed with damp proofing in mind.  Any walls which are earth-retaining (touching the earth with one side of their surface) are at constant risk of penetrating damp from the ground and water table.  Where no steps are taken to damp proof a cellar, damp will make its way through walls and:

  • Spoil any interior decoration which it touches
  • Leave an unpleasant smell
  • limit the use of the space considerably
  • Pose a risk of rot and insect infestation to any timbers in the area

At some time in their lives, everyone has been in a dark and damp cellar; they’re unpleasant, uninviting and commonly used as little more than storage for old or unwanted possessions. They don’t have to be that way.  Where an appropriate cellar waterproofing system is installed, the above can be avoided and the space can be transformed into a clean, dry space, similar to any other room in your home.  If you need extra space, it’s the ideal solution.

What it involves

Our Surveyors are experts in designing waterproofing systems which will transform your cellar into a dry, warm space, perfect for that extra bedroom, living room or man cave that you’ve always wanted.

The design process is straightforward.  One of our Surveyors will attend your home, assess the space and produce a report, and cost assessment for the required works.  When the designs are settled, our trained PCAQ Technicians will begin the process of transforming your cellar into a dry, livable space.  The principle of cellar waterproofing is ensuring that a continuous waterproof barrier is installed between any earth-retaining walls and the internal insulation and wall surface.  Normally, this necessitates the existing walls being stripped of existing wall plaster so that the waterproofing system can be installed.  We’re approved by the Environment Agency to carry and dispose of any building waste produced as part of our works, so you needn’t worry about doing this yourself.

When the waterproofing system is finished, our trained plasterers will add specialist damp proofing wall plaster and a smooth finish coat, ready for the room to be redecorated.

CELLAR OR BASEMENT CONVERSION- WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Cellar conversion specialists

Cellars, being situated lower in relation to the curb height than basements are less likely to have an external window as a result.  If they do, they are normally more towards the top of the wall.  Cellar conversions are more commonly used as storage as they are usually smaller in size than basements and, being lower below ground level are cooler.  For this reason, cellars have traditionally been used as storage for foods and drinks such as wine (hence ‘wine cellar’) or for ales in public houses.

Cellar conversion can create a useful living and/or storage space for you and your family.

 

Basement conversion specialists

A basement conversion is generally a larger below-ground space and, as such, it is often used to house the home’s heating system and serves as a larger storage area.  It is normally set less than half way below the height of the road curb and, due to basements sitting slightly higher than a Cellar, they often have an external window.

Due to their size, basements are more commonly converted into additional living space and, when converted properly, can serve most purposes from a bedroom to a kitchen.

 

Basement conversion Leeds Yorkshire

A completed cellar conversion in Leeds, Yorkshire

Contact us

Speak to a member of the team now on 0330 111 3377 or press the button below to book your survey

Book your survey now

Our accreditations

The logo of the Property Care Association PCA

We're certified by TrustATrader.com for damp proofing and timber preservation services

The logo of CHAS

The logo of Constructionline, a UK Giovernment Certification Scheme

Trustmark logo, a UK Government Scheme

FAQs

What's the cost of a basement conversion?

Not as much as you might think!  Extending living space below ground is almost always a cheaper alternative to an extension of the property, even though it can return the same benefits and increase the value of your home.

How long does a basement conversion take?

A normal cellar or basement waterproofing system in an average-sized home can take anywhere between 1-2 weeks to complete. During that time, we will ensure that disturbance to your day-to-day activities is kept to a minimum.

Is basement conversion a messy job?

The removal of existing wall plaster can create dust, but other than this a conversion shouldn’t be a messy process.  Any waste material or rubble that is created by the works will be disposed of by us, so you shouldn’t worry.