Cavity drain membranes, tanking and drainage systems that turn damp cellars into dry, usable rooms, designed by Basement Waterproofing Association members. Covering Chelmsford, Thurrock & Grays and Brentwood and across Essex.
Book a surveyBelow-ground rooms in Essex 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.
London Clay across south Essex holds water against below-ground walls, so cellars in Brentwood, Chelmsford and the surrounding towns are usually damp.
A cavity drain membrane with drainage and, where needed, a sump pump turns them into dry, usable space.
Most of south Essex sits on London Clay, which swells when wet and shrinks in dry summers. That seasonal movement is a common contributor to cracked walls, and the clay's poor drainage keeps ground floors and cellars under moisture pressure.
Essex has weatherboarded cottages and timber-framed houses in its villages, Victorian and Edwardian homes in towns like Brentwood and Chelmsford, and large areas of interwar and post-war housing. Many of the older buildings rely on timber frames and lime-based finishes that are vulnerable when damp gets trapped.
A city with Victorian terraces and modern apartments near the Chelmer, where damp and condensation are frequent findings.
Low-lying areas near the Thames estuary with a high water table, where flooding and water damage are risks.
Victorian, Edwardian and interwar family homes on London Clay, where rising damp and cracked walls are common.
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 Essex 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.
We survey properties in south-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. We regularly work in Basildon, Aveley, Billericay, Blackmore, Brentwood and Buckhurst Hill, and throughout Brentwood, Epping Forest, Chelmsford, Basildon and Thurrock.
Towns and areas we cover in Essex
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.
We survey properties in south-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. Call us to check further afield.
It can. London Clay holds water against walls and floors, and it swells and shrinks with the seasons, which contributes to damp ground floors and cracked walls. A survey will show whether it is affecting your home.
We survey properties in south-west Essex, including Brentwood, Epping, Loughton, Billericay and Chelmsford. Towns we visit regularly include Basildon, Aveley, Billericay, Blackmore, Brentwood, Buckhurst Hill, Chelmsford and Corringham. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Essex
Our other specialist services for Essex homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Chelmsford and Brentwood.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around the Essex villages and Chelmsford.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Chelmsford and Brentwood.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around the Essex villages and Chelmsford.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Brentwood and Epping & Loughton.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Thurrock & Grays and Chelmsford.
Client testimonials
Tapco have just completed damp proofing my house and I can't fault the quality of their work and professionalism of their operatives. A great job from start to finish, I highly recommend them.
Live just outside Essex? 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.
