Have you recently noticed damp on your walls? Are your walls damp to touch? Is plaster peeling away from the interior walls?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you’re in the right place. Here we will discuss; what is rising damp? What are the signs of rising damp? And, most importantly how to treat it.
What Is Rising Damp?
Rising damp is a form of dampness that is present within walls as a result moisture penetration from outside or beneath the structure of the property. It is a particular problem in older buildings where the damp proof course (DPC) has become damaged or when the ground level around the house has been raised by the addition of a path or driveway.
Signs of Rising Damp
Fortunately, there are a number of tell-tale signs which allow homeowners to spot rising damp before the problem can progress.
Typical signs of rising damp include:
- A ‘tide line’ of yellowish or brownish staining or blown plaster in the lower area of your wall above your skirting board.
- Damp or rotting skirting boards or flooring.
- Salt effervescent- You may see white, fluffy deposits in your plaster – these are ‘salts’ which the damp has washed out of your bricks and into your plaster.
- Black spot mould
How To Treat Rising Damp
If you have allowed damp into your home then the probability is that issue is easily rectifiable. Mould growth can easily be eliminated through the application of a high-intensity Mould Kit, however, the removal of the mould would only be a short-term fix if the source of moisture has not been prevented.
Damp Proof Course
Most modern properties are often built with a damp proof course installed, usually in the form of an impermeable plastic membrane, which is placed along a mortar line near the ground. Older properties, however, are often built with no damp-proof course, or the original course has failed over the duration.
If your property is in need of damp proof course there are a number of methods that our team of qualified technicians can implement. We provide a variety of damp proofing systems to suit different property requirements, for example; a property constructed with stone may require an electro-osmosis system, whereas a property with brickwork construction may require a pressure injection.
DriWise Pressure Injection
Pressure injections involve a water-based solution (DriWise) injected into brick, stonework and granite structures. The solution will form a barrier preventing the rise of capillary moisture into the wall. As with all our works, we offer a guarantee giving peace of mind should damp reoccur
Common questions I receive on a property survey include;
“Will the installation create a mess?” – If the DPC is installed from the interior, a degree of mess will be made as plaster will need to be removed but don’t worry, our technicians pride themselves on providing a thorough and clean service, minimising any mess or debris. – Don’t take our word for it though See what our customers have to say.
“Do I have to move out whilst the works is undertaken?” – In most cases, you will not need to move out of the property, however, the level of work required in some instances may mean that some rooms may be out of use whilst the work is undertaken.
“How long will it take to dry?” – A damp wall will dry out in ideal conditions about 1 inch per month. following damp proofing works, redecoration should not be carried out until the plaster is dry, visibly and to the touch.
Electro-Osmosis System
The Electro-Osmosis System introduces a very small electric current into the wall just above the ground level. The current repels rising moisture back down the wall. As long as the charge is maintained the walls will remain dry and free of damp.
Damp Proofing Cost
How much does damp proofing cost? The cost of damp proofing is subjective to a number of variables including; property size, location and accessibility. individual property. If you are looking to the work out the potential cost implications for your rising damp problem, give one of our customer service team a call on 0800 288 8660 or simply request a survey.
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