Cavity drain membranes, tanking and drainage systems that turn damp cellars into dry, usable rooms, designed by Basement Waterproofing Association members. Covering Kingston & Surbiton, Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and Guildford & Godalming and across Surrey.
Book a surveyBelow-ground rooms in Surrey sit against wet ground, so water is pushed into them under pressure through walls, floors and the joints between them. A standard damp proof course can't deal with that.
Whether you want a dry storage cellar or a full conversion into living space, we design and install the right waterproofing system for your building and how you plan to use the room.
Many Victorian and Edwardian homes in Surbiton, Kingston, Epsom and Esher have cellars that are currently damp storage space. Near the Thames, Mole and Wey, groundwater levels rise in wet winters, so a cavity drain membrane with a drainage channel and sump is often the most reliable way to keep a converted Surrey cellar dry.
Ground conditions change across the county, from the heavy Weald Clay of the south and the chalk of the North Downs to the free-draining sands around Camberley and Bagshot. The Thames, Mole and Wey valleys bring high water tables and flood risk to towns like Molesey, Esher, Cobham, Leatherhead and Guildford, which is why we see so many damp cellars and below-ground problems close to the rivers.
Surrey has an unusually wide mix of property: Victorian villas in Surbiton and Kingston, Edwardian and interwar family homes across Elmbridge and Epsom, and centuries-old timber-framed cottages, barns and farmhouses in the villages around Guildford, Dorking and Godalming. Older solid-walled and timber-framed buildings need breathable, sympathetic repairs, while interwar cavity-walled homes are prime candidates for wall tie corrosion.
Victorian villas and terraces, many split into flats, close to the Thames, so failing original damp proof courses and damp cellars are part of our everyday work there.
Our home patch. Properties near the Thames and Mole sit on gravels with a high water table, and we see damp basements and flood-affected ground floors here regularly.
Historic town centres and timber-framed cottages along the Wey, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs and careful timber treatment.
For most conversions we recommend a cavity drain membrane (CDM) system. A studded membrane is fixed to the walls and floor, leaving a small air gap that lets any water that gets through the structure drain freely into a perimeter channel and away, usually to a sump pump. Because it manages water rather than trying to hold it back, it copes well with older walls and high water tables.
Where conditions suit, cementitious tanking can be applied directly to sound masonry to create a continuous waterproof barrier. We often combine approaches, for example tanking to light wells and a membrane system in the main room.
We can provide the waterproofing on its own, ready for your builder, or manage the specialist work from survey through to a dry, finished shell. Every system is designed in line with recognised industry standards and comes with a written guarantee.
A PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyor visits your Surrey property, investigates with calibrated equipment and identifies the cause.
You receive a clear written report explaining what we found and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation and no hidden extras.
Our own trained team carries out the work, protecting your home, keeping dust down and leaving everything clean.
You receive a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee for a single premium.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. We regularly work in Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham and West Molesey, and throughout Elmbridge, Kingston upon Thames, Guildford, Woking, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.
Towns and areas we cover in Surrey
One recent example of our basement & cellar waterproofing work in Surrey: Basement damp proofing in Epsom.
Find out more about our basement & cellar waterproofing service.
Book a survey
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, arranging a professional survey is the best way to identify the cause and prevent further damage.
Most can. Headroom, access, natural light and the water table all affect what is possible and what the waterproofing needs to do. A survey tells you what is realistic before you commit to plans.
A studded plastic membrane fixed to the walls and floor that creates a drainage gap. Water that gets through the structure runs behind the membrane into a channel and is pumped or drained away, so the room stays dry.
If water can't drain away naturally, yes. Your surveyor will advise. Where a pump is fitted we recommend a backup and regular servicing.
Yes. Our systems carry a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) for a single premium. We are members of the Basement Waterproofing Association.
Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely more than a short drive from any Surrey property.
Yes. We regularly survey and treat listed and period properties around Guildford, Dorking, Godalming and the Surrey villages, using breathable, lime-compatible materials where the building needs them.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. Towns we visit regularly include Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham, West Molesey, Woking and Albury. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Surrey
Our other specialist services for Surrey homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Kingston & Surbiton.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Woking & Weybridge and Kingston & Surbiton.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Epsom & Ewell and Woking & Weybridge.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and Walton-on-Thames & Cobham.
Client testimonials
Our living room and hall was badly damaged by a leaking pipe from the flat above. Not only did they do an excellent job repairing it but they dealt with my insurance company who paid me in full. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Live just outside Surrey? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
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From our offices in Thames Ditton and Esher, our surveyors cover London and the surrounding counties, providing fast response times for residential and commercial properties alike.
We regularly work with:
Whether your property requires a damp survey, timber inspection or basement waterproofing system, our experienced team is ready to help.
Our certifications reflect our commitment to the highest standards of work and quality.
Why Tapco
Established in 1971
Choosing Tapco HomeDry means choosing a company with a proven history of protecting properties across the South East.
We believe every property deserves an individual assessment. That’s why our recommendations are based on what your building genuinely needs, not unnecessary treatments.
Tapco (Preservation) Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 423558) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks.
