Cavity drain membranes, tanking and drainage systems that turn damp cellars into dry, usable rooms, designed by Basement Waterproofing Association members. Covering Hitchin & Hertford, Rickmansworth and Watford and across Hertfordshire.
Book a surveyBelow-ground rooms in Hertfordshire 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.
Victorian and Edwardian houses in St Albans, Watford and Berkhamsted often have cellars worth converting. On the London Clay of south Hertfordshire, water tends to sit against walls, so we design a drained system that manages it rather than trying to hold it back.
The south of the county sits on London Clay, which holds water and shrinks and swells, while the north and west are on chalk. River valleys such as the Colne, Gade and Lea bring higher water tables to nearby properties.
Hertfordshire mixes historic market towns such as St Albans, Hitchin and Berkhamsted, with timber-framed and Georgian buildings, alongside large areas of Victorian, interwar and post-war commuter housing. Older timber-framed properties need careful, breathable repairs, while interwar homes often have corroding mild steel wall ties.
Market towns with timber-framed buildings and riverside homes that need careful damp and timber treatment.
Homes near the Colne and Chess valleys with higher water tables, where damp ground floors and cellars are common.
Victorian terraces and interwar suburbs where bridged damp proof courses and condensation in converted homes 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 Hertfordshire 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 and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. We regularly work in Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree and Hatfield, and throughout Watford, St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and Welwyn Hatfield.
Towns and areas we cover in Hertfordshire
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 and west Hertfordshire regularly, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Call us to check further afield.
Yes. Timber-framed properties in St Albans, Hitchin and the market towns need careful, breathable repairs, and we treat timber decay and woodworm without damaging historic fabric.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Towns we visit regularly include Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree, Hatfield, North Mymms and Potters Bar. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hertfordshire
Our other specialist services for Hertfordshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and St Albans.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Watford and Welwyn & Hatfield.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Potters Bar & Borehamwood and Watford.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Rickmansworth and Hitchin & Hertford.
Client testimonials
The Tapco team helped me and my family escape an awful damp problem which was penetrating across all floors and up into the wall joints. It was a big job, with a great team and professional service. Job well done and one satisfied customer.
Live just outside Hertfordshire? 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.
