Damp Proofing
If you have discovered damp walls, you can trust our company to help eradicate the damp within your home or business.
All our damp proofing works carry 10 - 20 year guarantees.
If you believe you have a damp issue please contact us as soon as possible to arrange an inspection
please do not ignore damp as this can be very bad for your health and lead to structural damage.
We are certified to carry out a range of damp proofing treatments for residential and commercial properties. This includes chemically injected DPC, re-rendering with specialist plasters, `tanking` or structural water-proofing treatments, and redecoration with specialist damp proof paint and coatings.
Damp proofing and control
DPC Injection
Tanking/Membrane
Pointing
Plastering
Condensation control
Basement Tanking & cellar conversion
Air Bricks
Sub-Floor Ventilation
Your Damp Questions Answered
What is damp?
Damp is a common problem, that properties across the UK will suffer from at some stage. If untreated, damp can be extremely damaging to the structure and fabric of your home.
If you are unsure what causes structural dampness, it is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building. Dampness is cause by either the result of penetration from outside or damp created within the property. There are a number of terms which cover damp:
• Rising Damp
• Penetrating Damp
• Condensation
• Plumbing Leaks
• External Flooding
• Below Ground Damp
Why Does Damp Occur?
There are a number of ways damp can be caused, this includes condensation, rain penetration, and rising damp. If you are not sure whether you have damp in your home or not? Here are some symptoms that may arise:
• Dampness and unwanted moisture, in some cases, causes the production of fungi in wood. This type of damage causes rot and mould. The worst cases of damp can lead to sick building syndrome.
• Damp can cause plaster and paint to deteriorate. If the walls in a damp area are wallpapered, you may see the paper begin to loosen.
• Damp can cause stains to form. These water stains can from the drying out of the fabric or staining from contaminates in the structure.
A high proportion of damp problems in buildings is caused by condensation, rain penetration and rising damp. What are the symptoms of damp? In most cases, dampness is the cause of secondary damage to a building like defective roof coverings or rainwater gutters and down pipes.
Where can dampness be found?
Dampness can be found anywhere in a building and can affect all types of properties, old and new. It is important that when dampness is suspected an accurate diagnosis is required to determine the cause of the problem. Damp affects the fabric of the property and can also affect the air in the property creating high relative humidity which can lead to condensation and mould growth on surfaces. Damp can lead to several problems in a property including poor indoor air quality
Another sign that there is excessive dampness is mortar and bricks may crumble in the affected area. In extreme cases, render or plaster may fall away from the affected wall.
Identifying Damp
It is important that a professional surveyor assesses your property for damp.
Damp can cause problems to the building and its inhabitants, therefore this role requires competence and experience from the person undertaking the damp investigation.
It is important that the type of damp is correctly diagnosed as this will determine the appropriate specification to resolve the damp problem. Rising damp is often mistaken for other forms of damp, which means the wrong treatment is applied. By using one of our experienced surveyors, they will identify the damp issues and give a report and specification to deal with the problem.
What is a damp-proof course?
A Damp Proofing system is a type of moisture control barrier that can be applied to walls and floors to prevent moisture from passing into the interior spaces. Damp is extremely common in the UK and it is one of the most required property care treatments.
Concrete and masonry walls will normally allow moisture to pass through so a horizontal and vertical damp proof barrier is required at the appropriate position. We can fit a damp proofing course (DPC) damp proofing system that is appropriate for your property:
• A damp-proof course (DPC) is a barrier which can be inserted through a structure to stop capillary action. If capillary action isn’t prevented, then there is potential for rising damp. A DPC layer is usually fitted in all masonry walls, regardless if the wall is a load bearing wall or a partition wall.
• A damp-proof membrane (DPM) is a membrane material applied to prevent moisture transmission.
• Integral damp proofing in concrete involves adding waterproofers to the concrete mix to make the concrete itself moisture resistant.
• Renders and surface coating with thin waterproof materials for resistance to non-pressurised moisture such as rain water.
What method do you use for installing a damp proof course?
There are various methods of installing a reliable, remedial damp proof course:
• Most commonly a chemical injected DPC is placed using a specially formulated cream or water based product. The wall is drilled at the appropriate level by a member of our specialist team and the chemical is inserted into the holes
• Mortar injection DPC is used mostly in random rubble stone walls. Our technicians will drill holes in the wall and apply a specially formulated cement based mortar.
Why does the plaster have to be removed during damp proof course works?
Plaster must be removed during the damp proofing process as rising damp coming from the ground brings moisture up the wall. Along with moisture, it will bring hygroscopic salts, nitrates, and chlorides.
Hygroscopic salts attract moisture from the atmosphere. These salts will contaminate the plaster inside the property and even after a remedial DPC has been inserted the salt contaminated plaster can still become damp. This is why it is vital that contaminated plaster is stripped and replaced during the treatment.
We will only remove what is required and in most cases this will be one metre above the floor level. The reason why one metre is removed is because damp can rise to one metre depending on the site construction. Each case of damp is different and the repair will be determined to suit the property.
When can I carry out redecoration after the damp proof course?
The first stage of decoration should be applied once the plaster has dried. After this, you can apply a water-based emulsion (strictly not vinyl paint or wallpaper applied).
It is important that you use a water-based paint as it allows the wall to breathe and dry out. Rising damp affected walls can take up to 6 months to dry out for a 150mm thick wall and may even be longer as it depends on the thickness of the wall and its construction.
What is a damp-proof membrane?
To stop damp penetrating your property it is important that the outside of the property is waterproof to stop damp getting in and causing damage. The masonry or render should prevent water penetration and should be repaired if this is not working. Special water repellents can also be used to stop rainwater penetrating the external walls if required. The ground below your floor should have a damp proof membrane to stop damp coming from the ground and a damp proof membrane can be applied internally to walls to stop damp getting to your plaster and decoration. These membranes are also used on wall areas that are below ground level that can be affected by penetrating damp from the ground.