Is some damp in a cellar normal?

Untreated cellars are often slightly damp. Standing water, repeated flooding or mould are signs to get a survey.

Water in your cellar: causes and next steps

Finding water in your cellar is worrying, but it is common in UK homes. Here are the usual causes and sensible first steps.

Safety first

If water is near electrical sockets or your consumer unit, do not touch it: turn off the power at a safe point if you can, or call an electrician. For a burst pipe, turn off the water at the stopcock.

Common causes

Groundwater pushing through walls and floors, often after prolonged rain
Surface water from blocked gutters, downpipes or ground sloping towards the house
Leaking pipes or drains inside or outside the property
Condensation in poorly ventilated cellars, which can look like a leak

Simple checks

Note when water appears: after rain, all the time or randomly
Check gutters, downpipes and gullies near the cellar walls
Take photos and, if safe, note how deep the water gets

When to call a specialist

If water keeps coming back, or you want to use the space, a waterproofing specialist can survey and recommend a system. Read about basement waterproofing, tanking and cavity drain membranes, or use our questionnaire to be matched with one independent specialist.