Rising Damp
What is Rising Dampness?
Rising Dampness can arise for various reasons - the failure of an exisitng damp proof course (dpc), bridging due to the raising of external or internal floor levels, or in older buildings, the complete absence of a damp proof course. Brick, stone and mortar are porous allowing damp from the ground to rise by capillary action*, carrying with it ground salts including chlorides and nitrates. These salts from the ground can absorb moisture from the atmosphere leading to wall dampness in conditions of high relative humidity. Also they can ruin decorations, internal plasterwork and woodwork.
* Capillary action- the flow of liquids through porous materials in this instance.
Have you got Rising Dampness?
Thankfully, it is fairly straightforward to tell if your property needs rising dampness treatment. Obvious signs to look out for are a "tidal mark" on the problem wall upto 1m in height. The reason that rising dampness usually never travels any higher is because the forces of gravity do not allow it. Peeling wallpaper or rotten skiritng boards are another way to tell along with a fluffy white powder " effloresence" accumulating on the surface. This is salt from the brickwork or ground water that has been drawn to the surface.
Solution(s) for Rising Dampness In Walls:
1) Repair Old Damp Proof course (if one is present) i.e. slate/tile/bitumen/plastic
2) Inject new Chemical Damp Proof Course (most popular method)- damp proofing
3) Install Electro Osmosis ( an electric based system that inlcudes wire and anodes inserted into the wall to divert risng dampness)
Solution(s) for Rising Dampness In floors:
1) Epoxy Floor Resin. Coating the floor in two coats of resin willl allow the floor to breathe but no physical moisture to pass making your floor touch dry reducing damage to floor coverings e.g. Laminates or carpet.
2) Install a plastic floor membrane and use waterproof tape at edges.
3) Dig up old floor and relay a new concrete floor to current building regulations.
Please note: that in the vast number of rising dampness cases the plasterwork has to be removed to usually 300mm past last damp readings (please see specialist plastering and rendering services sections), but in some cases just an injection damp proof course is okay because the plasterwork has not been salt contaminated.
With over 40 years 'Hands On' experience in the industry Dynamic makes it easy to find quality trade specialists by only allowing the best to join their website. Click HERE or the red box to get started.
Do you require our Specialist Property Services? Get your FREE home survey, today!
Latest Testimonials
- “" Pleasant from start to finish. Even Tidied up. Thanks guys " Lisa”
Click To View - “The company was very well presented and the quote was reasonable so i decide to put my faith in the team. I was not disappointed one bit overall, 9.5/10”
Click To View - “"Did not spend anytime with the lads whilst they were doing the job but it did look excellent once finished and the after advice given was much valued along with a 30 year in ...”
Click To View - “A thorough Property Care Association (PCA) guideline preservation report was carried out on a property i was looking to purchase. The survey was conducted very pr ...”
Click To View - “"Excellent lads, did a great job from start to finish, would highly recommend, thanks"”
Click To View - “ Delighted with the end result, so will the kids be when its stuffed with their toys. Thanks Guys”
Click To View - “Great job, carried out clean and swiftly.”
Click To View - “The preservation team finished my dry rot job in record time keeping my tenant very happy and also created a feature from the blocked up chimney space they discovered. Cheers ...”
Click To View - “Thanks the draught has gone and the window looks great.”
Click To View - “Lovely gates, its put a stop to that problem, cheers.”
Click To View - “Fantastic work for finding the nest. Well done and thanks a million!”
Click To View - “The process from start to finish was a nightmare it took so long to get moved back in, nearly 6 months. The flood proofing team eased our situation greatly with excelle ...”
Click To View - “Thanks, good service and you did a good job tidying up.”
Click To View - “Feel alot safer, thanks, the unit looks very impressive, Rich Edwards.”
Click To View - “It was huge, taking over my garden and the neighbours. I got my granddaughter to stand in the picture for a comparison. Its all treated and guaranteed now after the JKW team ...”
Click To View - “Very impressed with surveyors knowledge and the modern approach the company had to building repairs . I honestly thought the whole roof would have to come off! Luckily not!
”
Click To View - “The preservation team came to our house to investigate several damp areas including penetrating and rising damp. They were very tidy and very well organised and were the best ...”
Click To View - “I cant see much now the job is done but a freshly rendered wall but i did watch the lads at work and saw the metal rods and ties being put in so fingers crossed the wall wont ...”
Click To View