Damp proofing
Are you tired of dealing with dampness seeping into your home, causing unsightly damage and threatening the structural integrity of your walls? Look no further! At Town & Country plastering and damp proofing, our damp proofing services are here to rescue your property from the clutches of rising and penetrating damp.
Spotting the problem
What is rising damp?
Rising damp is a general term for moisture that rises up through the fabric and brick walls of a building after being absorbed from the surrounding ground. This process is called capillary action.
Moisture will continue to rise up the wall until it meets with a physical barrier. The construction of most modern buildings includes a damp-proof course (DPC), which is a layer of impermeable material, (slate, bitumen, plastic) built into solid walls just above ground level. The DPC prevents moisture from rising within the wall construction. In the absence of a damp proof course, the moisture will continue to rise up the wall to the height of 1.5m.
Many situations where rising damp occurs are often due to the bridging of the existing damp proof course rather than the absence of one. This would be classed as induced rising damp. Older buildings, particularly those with solid stone or brick external walls do not always have a DPC.
Signs of rising damp
Generally rising damp is first noticed by the damage it causes to internal walls of buildings.
Plaster and paint can deteriorate and any wallpaper tends to loosen, and visible staining often appears on the wall in a form of a tide mark . You may also see salts blooming on the internal surface.
How we treat rising damp!
More often than not the wall coverings need removing up to the height of 1.2m or 1.5m
Once the brickwork is exposed rising damp can be treated through installing a new chemical DPC through injection into the masonry.
Other issues to look out for
What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp is caused by the intrusion of moisture through an exterior wall of a building, unlike rising damp, penetrating damp can occur at any level of a building either forming in isolated areas across the structure or on the exterior walls. Properties with a solid wall construction are particularly at risk due to the lack of cavity between the exterior and interior walls.
What are the causes of penetrating damp?
- Building defects.
- Leaky gutters/ down pipes
- damaged roof tiles, flashing, ridge tiles
- chimney stacks
- defected seals around windows and doors. Any building defects should be fixed as soon as possible, they can let in a constant source of dampness which ruins internal walls and decor as well as the external fabric of the buildings.
- Damaged brickwork, spalled bricks and defected pointing/rendering can also cause penetrating damp, also damaged brickwork is less able to withstand rain penetration, Damp and damaged brickwork also causes structural vulnerability.
Internal signs of penetrating damp
- damp staining on external walls, damp patches on walls and ceilings
- wet and crumbly plaster
- mould growth isolated to one area.
- wet rot affecting wooden fixings
- spoilt decor
How to prevent and treat penetrating damp
You can simply prevent penetrating damp, by repairing any defects to the exterior of the property. Cracks in walls, repointing defected mortar joints or applying a suitable render.
Removing any leaves and excess moss from rain water goods. If there’s a build up of these goods. Then this can lead to leaks and water intrusion into the walls of the property.
Improve heating and insulate cold walls.
Apply water-repellent masonry cream to the exterior walls of the property. This can halt further dampness and allow walls to dry out.
More often than not the plaster work internally to the affected area of the wall would need removing and a suitable plaster or membrane applied.
Don’t let dampness dampen your spirits or damage your property any longer. Contact us today for a quote and let our dedicated team of professionals restore your home to its former glory. Say goodbye to damp woes and hello to a brighter, drier future with our damp proofing services. Request a quote now and take the first step towards a healthier home!