Brick Waterproofing – How to Protect Your Property From Rain

It’s been hard to keep up with extreme rainfall in the UK this year. Just as people across the UK were reeling from the effects of Storm Isha, it was soon forgotten with the arrival of Storm Jocelyn. Both storms battered the UK with heavy rain and strong winds with public transport being brought to a standstill. In a few weeks we will be entering spring with the usual sprinkling of wind driven rain and April showers. One of the most common issues homeowners face when the heavens open is damp problems from bricks soaking up moisture. In this blog, we will explore the potential damp problems caused by rainwater ingress and discuss ways to address and prevent them, including brick waterproofing.

Wind-Driven Rain

Strong winds during storms can cause rain to be driven horizontally against the exterior of buildings. This means bricks are constantly being battered with high amounts of rain. This can lead to penetrating damp, with water penetrating through gaps in brickwork. causing dampness and potential structural damage. This is why waterproofing bricks is essential to protect your property.

Prevention and Solution:

• Brick waterproofing – inspect brickwork and seal any gaps, cracks, or vulnerable areas.
• Consider the installation of storm shutters or protective barriers for windows.
• Invest in high-quality weather-resistant materials for exterior surfaces.

Rainwater Ingress

Rainwater ingress can be even more damaging. Heavy rainfall can result in water penetrating homes through roofs, windows, doors, and other vulnerable areas. Failure to waterproof bricks can leave a building vulnerable to water ingress. Any gaps or cracks in brickwork can also allow rainwater to seep through the building. This ingress of rainwater can lead to damp patches on walls and ceilings. This can cause paint to peel and damage to plaster. In severe cases, it can damage the structural integrity of the building.

Brick waterproofing usually involves the application of exterior brick sealant. Whereas penetrating damp can be avoided by routine property maintenance to fix cracks in walls, clear gutters and repair downpipes.

Prevention and Solution:

• Regularly inspect and maintain the roof and gutters to ensure proper drainage.
• Seal any gaps or cracks in doors and windows.
• Apply water-resistant coatings to exterior walls.
• Install weather stripping around doors and windows.

Flooding

Periods of heavy rain can lead to flash flooding. Flooding can cause leaking from below ground level in basements and cellars if a property doesn’t have effective structural waterproofing.

Prevention and Solution:

• Ensure any drainage for your basement or cellar such as a sump and pump system or french drain are in good working order
• Ensure there is adequate waterproofing for basement and cellar walls. This could be a membrane and drainage system, or traditional concrete tanking.

Rising Damp

Rising damp is moisture which has risen up through capillary action. This is essentially ground water that has been soaked up through brickwork from the ground. Heavy rain will saturate the ground and make the symptoms of rising damp more apparent.

Prevention and Solution:

• Examine damp proof course to identify any faults
• Ensure your properties damp proof course has not been bridged

Final Thoughts

Stormy weather can be a regular occurrence at this time of year, and lead to a variety of damp problems. To learn more about the types of damp problems that can affect your property, visit our damp proofing page now.