Damp Proofing

Have you spotted persistent damp stains in your property? If so, you could need professional damp proofing treatment to solve the problem.

Damp proofing is an umbrella term that refers to any method used to treat or prevent moisture ingress or damp from humidity. The key to identifying the correct form of damp treatment you need is correctly determining the cause of your damp problems.

Whether it is rising damp, penetrating damp, or even condensation that is causing the damp problems in your property, our fully trained and qualified specialists will diagnose the issue and create a custom treatment plan to leave your home fresh, safe, and dry.

More often than not, damp walls are caused by penetrating damp, rising damp or condensation. These damp problems result from water ingress from an external source, ground water rising up through capillary action or inadequate ventilation.

Rising damp only ever affects the ground floor. You can read more about the signs and symptoms of Rising Damp on our dedicated page, however the two main problems associated with this type of damp are tide mark stains on the wall, and the fact that these damp or salt marks extend to a maximum of around 1 metre from the ground.
 
Rising damp normally occurs when an existing damp proof course has been bridged by external renovation or has been damaged in some way.

Leaks from outside the property are the main cause of penetrating damp. This will usually manifest as localised damp patches on a wall or ceiling.

Broken downpipes and gutters, cracks, faulty joints and corroded seals can all contribute to penetrating damp in a property. Leaks from inside can cause damp problems too, with wet rot often resulting from faulty plumbing or leaking washing machines and showers.

Condensation is caused by excess humidity and poor ventilation. It also creates the ideal conditions for black mould to grow. The key to solving condensation is achieving consistent relative humidity. This can often be remedied with DIY or lifestyle changes, but in serious cases treatment will require the installation of mechanical ventilation units.

Just as there are several causes of damp, there are several treatments and it is important to choose the correct one.

A common treatment for rising damp is a Damp Proof Course (DPC). Most properties should have evidence of a damp proof course about 150mm (6inch) above ground level. This may be seen as a slightly thicker mortar course with a slate or bitumen sheet poking through. These damp course materials are fairly resilient, however they can degrade over time or become damaged, leaving your home vulnerable to rising damp.

To solve rising damp problems we install a remedial damp proof course solution using a water based silicon fluid injection which creates a barrier, effectively preventing moisture from seeping into, and damaging, affected walls. This approach is fast acting and permanent, allowing affected  walls to be redecorated shortly after installation.

Damp proof membranes are made of polyethylene material and applied to walls to prevent water and salts passing from the exterior to the interior of the property. This makes them particularly well suited to treating certain types of Penetrating Damp and Rising damp problems, while they are also commonly applied to basements and cellars as part of waterproofing underground rooms.

Your specialist damp proofing surveyor will assess the property to determine if damp proof membrane is required as part of your damp treatment solution.

Improving ventilation in your property can be as simple as opening windows more often, adjusting the vents in your windows or removing debris from air bricks. However, some condensation and black mould problems will simply not go away until mechanical ventilation is introduced. Positive Input Ventilation units actively optomise the humidity of the air in your property reducing the chance of condensation and black moud.