Tracing water ingress into pavement vaults

Specific Defect Investigation of Basement Vaults, Camden Town, London NW1

The brief

Persistent water ingress affected basement vaults associated with commercial premises in Camden Town. The client needed a technical explanation of the affected areas and a practical route towards investigation and remediation.

Our work

The inspection distinguished the actively affected vaults from other cellar and ground-floor areas that were dry. Rainwater penetration through the pavement construction was assessed as a likely contributor, while concealed drainage or service leaks still required testing. We recorded deterioration of the existing internal waterproofing, corrosion to steel at openings and electrical equipment within wet areas.

The outcome

The report prioritised making the affected areas safe, obtaining structural advice where required and tracing the source before selecting a waterproofing solution. It provided a defined scope for further investigation and for discussions about access, repair responsibilities and the sequence of basement remediation.

Scope and limitations

• Visual, non-intrusive inspection; concealed drainage and service runs were not tested.
• The water source was not proven; rainwater through the pavement construction was assessed as a likely contributor only.
• This account describes the investigation and recommended checks only and does not claim completed waterproofing or repairs.

The client is identified here by role only, and the exact address is not published.