Cellar turnaround success stories without tanking/ cement?

[eddyerburgh]

I have a damp cellar and have been advised that the best course of action would be to:

• Add a sump pump
• Add active ventilation
• Lime plaster the walls
• (maybe) limecrete the floor

I've seen this sort of advice in a few places but I'm wondering if anyone has any actual success stories of turning around a damp cellar using this approach. I'm not planning to make this a habitable room, more just somewhere to put a freezer and store some tools if possible.

I called a damp specialist to get a quote on installing a sump pump and they very strongly felt like this wouldn't solve the damp problems and that it's better to tank it, but I guess that is what a damp specialist would say.

Thanks!

 

[a twig]

A quick search on the forum should reveal what you are after, I think @NecessaryWing did pretty much your approach (albeit without a sump pump), I’m sure there were others who have escaped my memory but did the same.

A sump pump is compatible with the above approach as well if you are really struggling to manage moisture with just breathable materials and ventilation