To effectively address damp issues in your property, the first step is pinpointing the root cause. This necessitates a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of your home. Identifying the source of dampness can be challenging for untrained individuals, making it advisable to engage a damp-proofing specialist. Such experts can offer precise diagnostics, saving you time and money by recommending the right course of action.
Damp problems on walls can stem from various issues, including faulty roof coverings, damaged rainwater gutters or downpipes, defective external render or masonry, condensation problems, issues with cavity wall insulation, inadequate window and door seals, defective damp proof courses, plumbing leaks, faulty drains, or external flooding.
It’s vital that a specialist accurately diagnoses the damp problem to avoid incorrect repairs that won’t resolve the issue and will lead to additional expenses if the work needs to be redone.
The Damp Proof Course is the most desired solution in combating rising dampness, shielding your property from moisture that seeps up from the ground. Excessive moisture entering your home can lead to various types of damp problems, damaging the structure of the building. Thus, it’s crucial to verify that your property is equipped with an efficient damp-proof course to prevent groundwater infiltration.
The damp proof course is vital in protecting buildings from moisture rising from the ground, which can cause damage to walls and property. If a building lacks a proper damp protection layer or has a damaged damp course, it becomes vulnerable to excess moisture from the ground. This moisture can harm plaster and decorations and can lead to issues like wet rot or dry rot, particularly affecting exposed timber structures.
In modern buildings, it’s essential to have a damp-proof course visible at least 150 mm above ground level. This could be seen as a layer of mortar with a bitumen or plastic sheet embedded in it. These materials are typically highly effective at preventing rising dampness, unless they crack due to building movement or are bridged, or if older bitumen materials degrade over time. Damp-proof courses are mandatory in new constructions to safeguard against rising damp issues.
Different kinds of damp-proof courses can be installed in your property depending on its construction. A suitable type of damp-proof course will be selected to match the specific structure of the building.
Chemical Damp Proof Course Injection
This process entails injecting a cream or liquid substance into the wall to create a water-repellent barrier that prevents rising damp from exceeding the damp-proof course. The substance is injected into drilled holes made at least 150mm above the external ground level.
Mortar Injection Damp Proof Course
This method involves treating walls that are constructed with irregular rubble, which can have gaps or voids inside. Instead of using creams or liquids, a specialized mortar infused with chemicals is applied. Holes are drilled into the wall, and this mortar mixture is injected into them. As it sets, the chemical within the mortar is drawn into the masonry, effectively blocking rising dampness by filling the voids and strengthening the structure.
Electro Osmotic Damp Proof Course
If chemicals cannot be used or if a client prefers a non-chemical solution for damp proofing, an Electro Osmosis Damp Proof Course can be installed. This method involves using copper and titanium wiring to introduce a mild electric charge into the wall. This charge helps reverse the capillary action in the wall, effectively drawing rising damp downwards below the level of the new damp course.
