Hi,
Background in case you're interested: I want to convert my cellar into a usable living space (home cinema, no need to add a window, which is handy). One (cavity) wall of the cellar is up against soil. (The other three walls are "internal" - one against my neighbour's cellar and two against my adjacent cellar rooms.) It's a little damp in the room - humidity meter reads about 90% (compared to 60% elsewhere in the house) but there is no wet rot, the bricks are not wet to the touch, and the previous owners kept books in there with no ill effects as far as I know. It's currently not terribly well ventilated, which might account for some of the humidity. My guess is a very small ingress through the front wall, coupled with poor ventilation.
I have been told by two builders who have seen it, and one who hasn't, that a coating of Synthaprufe on the walls, plastered over with normal plaster, will do the trick. Sounds good to me. (Actually I might put some thermal insulation on the against-the-soil wall, then plasterboard.)
My question is just whether Wickes "Liquid Damp Proof Membrane" (at £32 for 25 litres) is in effect the same, and as good, as the stuff branded as Synthaprufe, at £130-odd for 25 litres.
Also interested to know whether people would generally bother with this stuff (Synthaprufe, Wickes equivalent, or other) on the three not-against-soil walls. All need plastering anyway, so no great shakes, but I won't bother if it's a waste of time/money.
Thanks!
-Mark
Background in case you're interested: I want to convert my cellar into a usable living space (home cinema, no need to add a window, which is handy). One (cavity) wall of the cellar is up against soil. (The other three walls are "internal" - one against my neighbour's cellar and two against my adjacent cellar rooms.) It's a little damp in the room - humidity meter reads about 90% (compared to 60% elsewhere in the house) but there is no wet rot, the bricks are not wet to the touch, and the previous owners kept books in there with no ill effects as far as I know. It's currently not terribly well ventilated, which might account for some of the humidity. My guess is a very small ingress through the front wall, coupled with poor ventilation.
I have been told by two builders who have seen it, and one who hasn't, that a coating of Synthaprufe on the walls, plastered over with normal plaster, will do the trick. Sounds good to me. (Actually I might put some thermal insulation on the against-the-soil wall, then plasterboard.)
My question is just whether Wickes "Liquid Damp Proof Membrane" (at £32 for 25 litres) is in effect the same, and as good, as the stuff branded as Synthaprufe, at £130-odd for 25 litres.
Also interested to know whether people would generally bother with this stuff (Synthaprufe, Wickes equivalent, or other) on the three not-against-soil walls. All need plastering anyway, so no great shakes, but I won't bother if it's a waste of time/money.
Thanks!
-Mark
