When damp shows up on internal walls, many homeowners in Wallasey are told the quick fix is to “just tank it.”
While tanking systems can be very effective in the right setting, they aren’t always the right choice. In many coastal or high-rainfall areas like Wallasey, damp problems often stem from external issues, and sealing the wall internally can make things worse.
At Weather Wise Solutions, we help you understand when tanking is the right option — and when external drainage or ground-level work is the better long-term fix.
🧱 What Tanking Really Does
Tanking works by applying a waterproof barrier (cementitious or bitumen-based) to the inside of walls to hold back moisture.
It’s most effective for:
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Cellars and below-ground rooms
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Retaining walls
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Masonry that can’t be accessed externally
But if the damp is caused by bridging, high ground levels, or blocked drainage, tanking alone traps moisture inside the wall, often leading to blistering plaster or salt contamination later.
🌧️ When Tanking Isn’t the Best Option
In many Wallasey homes, particularly older terraces or coastal properties, damp originates from outside problems such as:
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High soil or patio levels bridging the DPC
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Blocked or missing French or ACO drains
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Cracked render or pointing
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Leaking gutters and downpipes
The solution often starts with improving external drainage rather than sealing the inside of the wall.
⚒️ Better Alternatives to Tanking
Sometimes, external work provides a more effective and breathable fix:
✅ Install or repair ACO and French drains to divert surface water
✅ Reduce ground levels to expose the DPC line
✅ Apply breathable masonry coatings available via Builders Super Store
✅ Repoint or repair defective render
Only after these issues are resolved should tanking or plastering be considered inside the property.
🧰 The Weather Wise Approach
As proud members of the Federation of Damp and the Damp Proofing Association, we focus on identifying the source of damp before recommending any work.
Our goal is long-term protection, not just quick fixes.
👉 Book your home damp assessment today:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact