Rising Damp

Rising damp is molecules of water which travel via capillary action through the masonry of buildings. If this occurs, new damp proofing will need to be installed immediately; if new damp proofing is delayed, the condition of a property could be severely affected. Diagnosing rising damp should only be undertaken by a qualified surveyor or a competent person with many years in the industry.

Identification

Identification of rising damp and the failure of the damp proof can be diagnosed by several main observations; salting to the plaster, rotted skirting boards, rusting of screws/nails on skirtings and wallpaper that is heavily stained. All masonry can be subject to rising damp, even high density low-porosity masonry. If a property is diagnosed with rising damp, a new damp course will be needed to eradicate the problem. This will normally mean knocking off the salt contaminated plaster and the decayed skirtings.

Curing the problem

• Knock off the plaster and skirting boards
• Install a new damp proof course
• Re-plaster using salt resistant plaster
• Fit new treated timber skirtings
• Skim over new plaster

Types of damp proofing systems

Chemical injection

Chemical injection is the most common damp proof course used by ourselves. We offer a fantastic product - Wykamol Ultra Care cream emulsion; this, in our opinion gives us the confidence to install and guarantee for 20 years.

Electros Osmosis damp proof course

This system is a very clean and tidy system to install; the titanium anodes are installed into the masonry. A small current of electricity from a transformer passes through the titanium wires to repel the moisture down the walls. This system can be suited to all masonry - even walls between 18 and 24 inches thick. We have been installing these systems since the late 1970s.

Traditional damp proofing

A traditional damp proof course involves knocking off the plaster and skirting boards. You then take out existing bottom courses of masonry and replace the bottom courses with new masonry. With this in mind, the recommended width is 500mm (with 500mm of masonry intact). Repeat the exercise 24 hours later. This process is to prevent collapsing of the walls. On completion, you then follow the plastering skirtings process from the ultra-cream treatment.

For more information, get in touch with us today.