A permanent, no-dig answer to basement water ingress: internal crystalline tanking and acrylate gel injection, backed by a 5-year warranty. Specialist team with 15+ years of experience in Istanbul and Izmir.
Basement waterproofing is the structural waterproofing work that protects below-ground building elements against groundwater pressure and damp ingress. In the no-dig negative-side (internal) method, a crystalline tanking slurry penetrates the pores of the concrete and delivers permanent watertightness, while acrylate gel injection stops active leaks immediately. In a standard basement the application takes 2-4 days and comes with a 5-year written warranty.
Basement waterproofing is the structural waterproofing work applied to protect building elements below ground level against groundwater pressure, capillary damp and hydrostatic water loading. Using cementitious tanking (barrier waterproofing — BS 8102 Type A applied internally) together with resin injection, permanent watertightness is achieved from inside the building, with no excavation.
With more than 15 years of site experience and its own Dryvatec range of materials, İMG Yapı Yalıtım Mühendislik A.Ş. is one of Türkiye's leading specialist contractors in this field.
Because basements sit below ground level, they are exposed to the constant hydrostatic pressure of groundwater in the surrounding soil. Under that pressure, water begins to find its way into the building through cracks in the concrete, cold joints, honeycombed (segregated) zones and capillary pores. At the root of the problem usually lies foundation and retaining wall waterproofing that was done incorrectly — or not at all — when the building was first constructed.
During wet spells in particular, the water table rises and water ingress into the basement increases markedly. Through capillary action, moisture travels upwards through the body of the concrete and appears as damp patches on wall surfaces. What first shows itself as mild damp gradually develops into active water ingress, mould colonies and serious structural damage.
Concrete is not a waterproof material. Every concrete pour creates millions of microscopic pores. Shrinkage cracks, vibration-induced cracks and cold joints make it even easier for water to penetrate the concrete. This permeability goes unnoticed in the building's early years, then reveals itself as water ingress once the water table rises.
Research shows that if the steel reinforcement inside concrete remains in continuous contact with water for 10 years, bar diameter falls by 34% and load-bearing capacity by 67%. Permanent structural damage has been found in 79% of structures exposed to water damage. These figures make plain just how urgent — and how vital — basement waterproofing is.
Water entering through basement walls and floor after rainfall or continuously, with standing water and dripping points
Damp patches on walls, white salt deposits (efflorescence), permanently wet surfaces and a persistently humid feel
Mould spores forming in the constantly damp environment, respiratory complaints and a musty odour that threatens health
Corrosion of the steel reinforcement, concrete decay, loss of load-bearing capacity and a shortened building lifespan
If you have noticed one or more of the signs below, your basement has a waterproofing problem. Early intervention keeps both the structural damage and the cost to a minimum.
Vertical water trails, wet patches or active dripping points on wall surfaces. Typically concentrated at corner junctions, cold joints and service penetrations.
White, powdery salt crystals forming on the wall surface. A clear indication that water passing through the concrete is carrying dissolved minerals to the surface.
Black, green or grey mould patches in corners, at ceiling-wall junctions or along floor edges. A serious risk to health.
The smell of mould and damp that greets you as you enter the basement signals high relative humidity and a chronic leak. Ventilation alone will not shift it.
Pools of water on the basement floor, with levels rising after wet weather in particular. Requires urgent attention.
Concrete flaking off walls or floor, blistering surfaces, cracking plaster and rusting reinforcement. These signs point to advanced structural damage.
There are two fundamental approaches to basement waterproofing. The right method for each building is determined through an on-site survey.
At İMG Yapı Yalıtım Mühendislik A.Ş.we carry out both methods. During the on-site survey we select the most suitable method for your building's condition, its surroundings and your budget — and deliver a solution backed by a 5-year warranty.
A systematic process developed over more than 15 years on site, in line with the EN 1504 standard.
Our specialist team inspects the basement thoroughly, identifying water entry points, active cracks, cold joints, honeycombed zones and the distribution of damp. Surface and depth moisture levels are measured with professional moisture meters. The origin of the leak is established, and it is at this stage that the choice between the positive-side and negative-side method is made. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of a permanent solution — a superficial assessment leads to incomplete or flawed work.
For crystalline tanking to succeed, the application surface must be the structural concrete itself. All covering layers — plaster, paint, screed, tiles and the like — are completely removed. The surface is mechanically cleaned, dust and loose particles are cleared away and the parent concrete is exposed. If this preparation step is skipped, the crystalline material cannot penetrate the concrete and the application fails. Under EN 1504-2, surface preparation is the single most decisive factor in the success of repair work.
Dryvatec crystalline waterproofing material is applied in at least two coats to all retaining wall surfaces, floor-wall junctions and corner zones. The crystalline material penetrates the pores and capillary cracks of the concrete and forms needle-like crystals within it. These crystals block the passage of water through the concrete and deliver permanent watertightness. It is one of the few material groups able to work on the negative side, against water pressure.
Dryvatec polyurethane injection resin is injected into active water entry points, live cracks and cold joints. Injection packers are set at intervals along the crack and the material is injected under pressure with a pump. On contact with water the polyurethane expands, fills the crack and stops the leak immediately. If crystalline tanking is applied without injection first, the coating cannot bond under active water pressure.
After the crystalline application, the surface is wetted at regular intervals to keep it damp and allow the crystallisation reaction to develop fully. Once the curing period is complete, the entire surface is examined in detail and any suspect areas are tested. Where necessary, an additional crystalline coat or further injection is carried out. Structural repairs, corner details and the final crystalline coat are then completed.
Once quality control is complete, the space is handed back and a written 5-year warranty certificate is issued. The warranty covers any water ingress attributable to the application. If any issue is reported during the warranty period, our team attends site as quickly as possible and puts it right at no charge. Photographs of the works are archived and your project is kept on record.
For crystalline waterproofing to succeed and last, the technical requirements below must be met in full.
Real application stages from our basement waterproofing projects. Click a photograph to enlarge it.
In our internal basement waterproofing work we use the crystalline tanking, acrylate gel injection and polyurethane injection materials of our own brand, Dryvatec. Because we manufacture the material ourselves, quality control is in our hands from start to finish. There is no middleman margin — you get a direct manufacturer's guarantee.
Many waterproofing contractors buy in materials from various brands; we use Dryvatec products made to our own formulation. That gives us full control over material quality, batch consistency and the success of the application. Dryvatec products are manufactured in accordance with the applicable TSE EN standards.
The wrong material or a flawed application can make the problem worse rather than solve it. Choosing the right contractor is critical.
Every basement application comes with a written 5-year warranty certificate. Any issue covered by the warranty is resolved at no charge. Our application records are archived.
We manufacture the crystalline and injection materials we use ourselves. No middleman margin — quality control stays entirely with us. A direct manufacturer's guarantee.
Permanent waterproofing from inside the building using the negative-side method, with no excavation. The most practical solution for terraced buildings, urban sites and existing structures.
More than 1,000 basement waterproofing projects completed since 2009. We have delivered solutions for every building type, every set of conditions and every climate.
Rapid response to every district from our Maltepe (Istanbul) and Konak (Izmir) offices. Local crews and material depots in both major cities.
Rather than covering the problem over, we trace it to its source. A detailed survey with moisture meters is the foundation of a permanent solution.
From our two offices we provide basement waterproofing across every district of Istanbul and Izmir.
From our Maltepe office we provide basement waterproofing across every district of Istanbul. On-site surveys and applications on both the European and Asian sides.
From our Konak office we provide basement waterproofing across every district of Izmir. A wide service network throughout the Aegean region.
The questions our customers ask most often, with our technical answers.
A permanent solution to water ingress and damp in the lift pit using crystalline tanking and resin injection.
DetailsStop active leaks through cracks and joints within minutes using acrylate gel and polyurethane resin injection.
DetailsA permanent solution to rising damp at ground-floor level using DampStop injection and crystalline tanking.
DetailsFor the water problem in your basement, fill in the survey request form or give us a call. Our technical team will get back to you promptly to arrange an on-site assessment and survey.
