Reasons Why Damp Proofing Is Necessary
Moisture climbing through your concrete flooring is a common problem which, if left untreated, can result in issues like a failing floor or replacement work being required. Luckily, this issue is preventable by damp-proofing your flooring now we are here to give you an insight into the benefits you can reap if applying this to your property.
The most common and effective way to treat rising damp is to set up a remedial damp proof course by injecting a water repellent damp proof cream into the mortar bed joint of damaged walls.
Treating rising damp this way will ensure the walls at home go back to their natural dry state, if you choose our specialists to install your damp proof course then you can be protected by a thirty year guarantee.
Before we make clear how to treat rising damp, we ought to mention that it is vitally important to get a precise diagnosis before you install any solutions. Rising damp can only just occur every time a failed, broken, or missing damp course exists.
This allows groundwater to enter the building via capillary action. When there is dampness in your home but the DPC is intact, then the root cause will be another type of damp such as condensation moisture, mould, or penetrating damp. Needless to say, installing a remedial DPC in such instances would be a costly mistake so it is essential that you have the problem diagnosed by a qualified specialist.
The first step to treating rising damp and repairing any damp walls in your house is to ensure that the damp marks and stains you are seeing are actually caused by a failed damp proof course or bridged damp course by arranging for a professional specialist to research the issue.
The following section will detail our rising damp treatment process step-by-step.
Using their comprehensive experience and expertise, a Rentokil surveyor will perform an in depth survey to pin-point the most appropriate rising damp treatment for your premises.
The survey report will detail the cause of your damp problems and offer you with an itemised bill for repair treatment should you choose to proceed around.
rising damp treatment
Install a remedial damp proof course
Depending on the thickness of the walls, holes are drilled in the mortar/brick to a predetermined depth with the right level and spacing. These holes are then injected with high concentration Dryzone DPC cream solution.
This is a low odour water based silicone damp proofing cream (damp proof course) that will restrict the movement of water through the capillaries.
Repair or Replace a Damp-Proof Membrane
Although not always necessary, damp proof membranes are sometimes used to supplement a chemical DPC injection. These membranes can be installed soon after the injection or repair of an damp proof course and used as an integral for just about any new plaster.
The membrane will separate any new plaster from existing salts and other contaminants on walls.
Re-Plastering After Rising Damp Treatment
Before the damp proof cream is injected in to the walls our technician will first strip back the afflicted to eliminate any salt deposits and salt contaminated plaster.
Once the solution has dried we will replaster the walls by using a salt proof plaster put on the brickwork, with a skim plaster applied on top of this. The walls can then be re-decorated making the damp proof course holes invisible.
Treating Rising Damp on Internal Walls
Most property owners identify a rising damp problem when they spot damp patches or a tide mark of moisture on the internal walls. Before any treatment for rising damp on internal walls may start, technicians will need to lift skirting boards around the damaged area and remove any plaster that is contaminated by hygroscopic salts.
Once the area has been prepared, our technicians can get started installing a remedial damp proof course via our DPC injection method.
How to Treat Rising Damp on External Walls
Exterior and external walls can also display symptoms of rising damp. For example problems caused by elevated ground levels is frequently solved by simply removing excess soil back below the damp-proof course – this might be the case in case a raised flower bed was at fault for example.
When a more everlasting fixture or alteration has bridged the damp proof course, a damp proofing solution that adapts to your premises is going to be required. A qualified surveyor will be able to make the best recommendation.
Keeping your home dry
One of the great things about damp proofing your flooring is that you will be able to keep your home dry. By the construction of your home remaining free of damp, mildew and mould, the walls of your property, through to the ceilings, internal flooring, plastering and furnishings will remain strong and dry. The layer of damp proofing will also prevent the appearance of building residual moisture. Without the factor of damp proofed flooring, your home could become susceptible to insect housing, rotting wood and increased internal degrees of mould and bacteria.
Keeping your family healthy
The probability of bacteria growth inside of your home brings us onto the second advantage of damp proofing. Mould, mildew and damp furnishings all contribute to the negative influences of your family’s health, especially any asthma, or lung health sufferers. The particles of bacteria may then find their way into your air stream if your household uses air-conditioning or a fan regularly, speeding further through your property.
Damp proofing will prevent the moisture from entering the construction of your home, keeping the walls, woodwork, ceiling and furnishings dry and safe from unneeded bacteria growth, allowing each member of your household to breath easily and remain on top form.
Maintain the value of your home
Damp is a problem that, if not sorted correctly, can be persistent, returning each season to your home and spreading beyond before. If your premises is on industry, estate agents can mark your home valuation down due to the damp alone, one factor which could finally prevent your home from selling. The simple action of damp-proofing can ensure that your property is gone these negative impacts and remains strong and durable all year round, eliminating the growth of bacteria or mould.