Flood protection for the cellar door: Safe protection against heavy rain & flooding
A basement shaft that fills up is every homeowner’s nightmare. Within minutes, the water presses against the cellar door – a barrier that is usually not structurally designed for high water pressure. Find out here how to retrofit your cellar door effectively.
Why the cellar door is the biggest weak point
Cellar doors are usually located at the lowest point of the house. During heavy rainfall, cellar shafts act like funnels. As soon as the drain can no longer cope with the masses of water, the water level in the shaft rises rapidly.
The problem: Conventional cellar doors are only sealed against driving rain. The seals and the frame cannot withstand a standing water level of 30 cm or more. The water penetrates through the keyholes, the door gap or is forced under the door.
2. stop log systems: The profile solution for retrofitting
Our aluminum dam beams are the most effective way to flood-proof an existing cellar door without having to replace the entire door.
The advantages at a glance:
- Made to measure: to fit your door reveal exactly – The flood protection leaves the factory pre-assembled
- Quick assembly: In an emergency, the beams are inserted into the guide rails in less than 2 minutes.
- Extreme tightness: High-quality EPDM seals compress under the weight of the beams and the pressure of the water.
- Durability: Stainless aluminum that lasts for decades.
3. mounting types: In the reveal vs. on the wall
We offer two installation systems depending on the structural situation at your cellar exit:
- Installation in the reveal (U-profiles): The guide rails are screwed directly into the door frame or masonry. The system closes flush.
- Installation on the wall (H-profiles): If there is no space in the reveal, the rails are mounted on the façade from the outside.
4. checklist: How to measure your cellar door correctly
Width: Measure the clear width of the door opening in three places (bottom, middle, top). The smallest measurement counts.
Protection height: How high was the water last time? We recommend a protection height of at least 20 cm above the highest level ever measured.
Substrate: Is the floor surface level? For 100% waterproofing, the floor slab must be smooth and free of cracks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) – Flood protection basement door
Does the system also hold in the event of pressing groundwater?
Our stop log systems are primarily designed to protect against surface water from outside (heavy rain, flooding). If water presses through the floor slab or foundation (groundwater), additional structural waterproofing of the masonry is required.
Can I install the stop logs on my own?
Yes, the aluminum profiles are light and easy to handle. A standard system for a cellar door can be inserted into the fixed guide rails by one person in less than 2 minutes without tools.
How do I find the right protection height for my cellar door?
We recommend that the protection height is at least 20 cm above the highest water level ever measured. For cellar shafts, protection up to the top edge of the shaft is often advisable to prevent a “waterfall effect”.
Is installation possible on uneven surfaces?
For 100% tightness, the floor surface must be even and free of cracks. For very uneven floors (e.g. old concrete), we recommend installing a flat stainless steel floor rail, which we can supply as an option.
