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Damp proofing
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Damp proofing has become more and more important in recent decades, due to the stringent tests now carried out by surveyors when you come to put your house on the market. Due to improved building technology, there is now no need to put up with dampness in the home as most things can be effectively cured. Also, it is not really advisable to ignore damp as the longer you leave it the more damage is possible to both structural integrity and decorations. Damp problems can usually be divided into 3 types, which are rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.
Rising damp
Probably the most notorious type of dampness, rising damp is usually caused by a faulty damp proof course. This could be due to a building defect, such as a driveway that has been built up too high, or simply the degradation of the original dpc which can happen if your property is relatively old. One of the problems with rising damp is that, contrary to popular belief it isn’t always visible and specialist testing equipment will often be required to identify the extent of it. High moisture levels can be present in a wall for many years before damage is noticed. It is also possible to get rising damp in internal walls, provided that they are structural. It is particularly important to tackle a rising damp problem at the earliest possible stage if you have timber floors.
Remedial damp proof courses
The problem of rising damp can usually only be solved by the installation of a new damp proof course (dpc), and there are various techniques which can be employed to do this. The method we would advise would depend on the particular situation and construction of your house. The most common methods which can be employed to do this are chemical injection (of which there are different types) and electro-osmosis. You should beware of so called “revolutionary” or “miracle” methods for curing rising damp which do not involve any disturbance to the property as such methods do not have third party verification and as such are very dubious.
In advanced cases of rising damp, re-plastering may be necessary to address the problem of hygroscopic salt contamination. In this case, you must bear in mind that the quality of re-plastering is equally as important as the damp proof course. This is because the use of incorrect plaster can lead to problems of immediate re-contamination by salts.
Bear in mind that rising damp does not usually rise much higher than about a metre from the floor, so if you have dampness apparent above this kind of area then it probably isn’t a rising damp problem. If in doubt, you can call our advice line or arrange for a free, no obligation survey by one of our qualified surveyors. |
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Rising damp in an internal wall |
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If your drive is too high, you may need to have something like this done |
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We are proud of the quality of our Re-plastering at aquaseal |
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Advanced rising damp |
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Penetrating damp
Penetrating dampness (that is, moisture coming through the walls directly from the wet weather) can often be attributed to building defects such as guttering leaks, poor pointing e.t.c. We are a general property care company so we can usually deal with any problems such as these. However, it is possible, especially with older properties that have no cavity walls that your walls may suffer from a degree of penetrating dampness simply because masonry is porous to varying degrees, and will absorb and retain moisture. If no other building defects are present, the technology is now available where clear chemicals can be applied to the outside of the wall, lining pores in the masonry and thus preventing the ingress of rain. Such treatments are also beneficial for your masonry as they will also help prevent frost damage to which is expensive to repair. They also are beneficial if you have cavity walls as they will keep the metal wall ties dry, thus preventing corrosion and the resulting wall tie failure, which is a notorious problem. If you intend to carry out this type of waterproofing treatment, remember that it is better to invest in a professional quality waterproofer which is microporous, long lasting and can be guaranteed. Cheap silicone paint sealers are available from most DIY stores but these are not advisable as they are likely to seal any dampness into the wall and have a very limited life span anyway due to the effect of UV rays from the sun.
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Frost damage to masonry |
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Porous Stone |
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Condensation
Often misdiagnosed as rising damp by unqualified “experts”, problems of condensation are becoming more common in today’s better insulated homes, which have the effect of trapping in stagnant, moist air which then has to condense when there is a temperature drop.
If you have a condensation problem you will more than likely be suffering from patches of black mould, which are often worse towards corners, around windows and wall/ceiling junctions. In extreme cases, you may even be experiencing mould appearing on clothes, shoes and other objects that are not even in direct contact with the walls or floor. If you are diagnosed with condensation, we would give the following general advice:
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- Try to improve ventilation, such as extra air bricks, trickle vents to windows, expellair fans.
- Try to keep heating more constant. A cycle of heating and cooling the air in the house will encourage condensation to form.
- Increase surface temperatures on walls which are prone to condensation in order to raise the dew point. For example, the use of polystyrene backed wallpapers.
- Use of de-humidifiers.
If these basic measures only prove to be of limited success, the most effective solution to a condensation problem is to have a positive pressure condensation control unit fitted into the loft, which Aquaseal can provide, fully fitted at a competitive price.
In any case, please do not hesitate to call our advice line if you are unsure what your problem is, as we are always more than happy to give out tailor made advice for you.
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Chiefly a condensation problem |
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Damp Proofing FAQ's
1) Does my plaster have to be all hacked off if I have damp?
a) Not necessarily. If you can catch rising damp at an earlier stage and the plaster appears unaffected by salts, then you can leave on the plaster, or at least you can wait until you receive your 12 month inspection from our company when we can advise you better on that. In advanced cases of rising damp you will probably not be able to avoid having re-plastering done up to 1m from the floor.
2) Will I have to move out of my house during damp proofing work?
a) These days it is not usually needed for you to move out during your work, as we can use safe, environmentally friendly products.
3) Why should I spend money on damp proofing when I can buy “damp proofing paints from the local DIY store”.
a) If you have a problem with the ingress of damp into your property then it can cause structural decay, so trying to hide it with cheap paints will often just make things worse. Also, if you wish to sell your property then attempts at hiding damp with paints will prove fruitless as all surveyors are equipped with professional testing equipment designed to detect high levels of damp through any such paints.
4) Will the work be guaranteed?
a) Yes. The length of the guarantee depends on the type of work that is needed. Damp courses and timber treatment are guaranteed for 30 years. Aquaseal guarantees are building society accepted and easily assignable to the new owner when you come to sell the property, thus helping you get the best sale price with no delays.
5) Why is asking a CSRT qualified surveyor so important?
a) CSRT stands for certified surveyor in remedial treatments, and this matters a lot. It means that the surveyor who gives you recommendations about the problem you may have in your home has passed all the required exams of competency, and is also committed to working to high levels of ethics, honesty and integrity.
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