Signs You Need Damp Proofing Services
Common Signs of Damp in Your Property
Not sure if you need damp proofing? Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for:
- Musty smell in rooms
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- Damp patches on walls
- Discolored or stained walls
- Mould growth in corners or basements
Comprehensive Damp Proofing Solutions
There are multiple ways we apply damp proofing, here’s our service list:
- Rising Damp Treatment: Effective solutions to prevent and eliminate rising damp in walls.
- Basement Waterproofing: Keep your basement dry and moisture-free with our advanced waterproofing methods.
- Chemical Damp Proofing: We use high-quality damp-proofing chemicals to create a barrier against moisture.
- Damp Proof Membrane Installation: Protect your property’s walls with durable damp proof membranes.
- Condensation Control: Prevent mould growth and improve indoor air quality with our condensation control solutions.
Why Choose Us for Damp Proofing?
Why We’re the Leading Damp Proofing Experts in the UK
Key Points:
- Experience & Expertise: Over 15 years of experience in providing reliable damp proofing solutions.
- Professional Approach: Qualified specialists delivering tailored services for both residential and commercial properties.
- High-Quality Products: We use industry-leading materials and techniques for long-lasting results.
- Customer Satisfaction: Dedicated to providing excellent customer service with a focus on transparent communication.
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Our Damp Proofing Solutions
Damp Proof Membrane
Applied to internal walls, it must be installed properly to prevent water ingress. Steps include:
- Remove old plaster/render to expose masonry.
- Cut the membrane to size and place on the wall.
- Fold around corners and fix with plugs.
- Seal joints and overlaps with tape.
- Apply a wall finish.
To install a damp proof membrane correctly, we follow these steps:
Wall Preparation:
- Remove old plaster if damaged; if intact, you can install over it.
- Repair any damage to the wall.
- Clean the surface, removing debris and bumps.
- Flatten the wall if needed with sand and cement.
- Clear the workspace around the wall.
Membrane Installation:
- Cut the membrane to size.
- Place it on the wall, folding around corners.
- Drill and fix with membrane plugs, starting with a few, then adding more.
- Seal joints and overlaps with Fleece Over Strip.
- Apply a wall finish once the membrane is secure.
Proper installation is key to preventing future water ingress; handle the membrane carefully to avoid damage.
Damp Proof Paint
Used on masonry or concrete (not plaster) as a primer before a decorative finish.
Damp Proof Injection
Involves injecting solution into brick/mortar to block water from rising through the ground.
Tanking Slurry
Applied to masonry, then covered with render. Ideal for high water pressure areas like basements. Tanking slurry is a cement-based material applied to masonry to form a waterproof barrier, commonly used in basements and areas with high water pressure.
Here’s more information on tanking slurry:
Application |
Suitable for masonry, concrete, cement renders, and other surfaces. |
Common Uses |
Ideal for basements, cellars, underground parking, retaining walls, and pits. |
Key Benefits |
Withstands water pressure, freeze/thaw cycles, and chemical exposure. |
Installation |
Typically applied in 2-3 coats, depending on the level of water penetration. |
Coverage Rate |
2 kg of material covers 1 square meter. |
Storage Advice |
Keep in a cool, dry, frost-free area in the original packaging. |
Damp Proof Course (DPC)
We apply a number of techniques:
- A specifically prepared cream or water-based substance is most frequently used to insert a chemically injected DPC. A member of our Damp and Mould Solutions team drills holes in the wall at the proper level, inserts the chemical, and seals the holes to prevent growing dampness.
- Mortar DPC is primarily used on random stone walls. In order to apply a specially formulated cement-based mortar, our professionals will drill holes in the wall.
- Electro-osmosis is another method of administering a DPC. This technique employs an electric charge that is earthed to the ground and affixed to the wall through wires. This is in order to reverse the polarity of the capillary action and draw the damp back into the ground.
Removing plaster during damp proofing
Plaster is often removed during damp proofing because it can retain moisture and salts even after a damp proof course (DPC) is installed. Here’s why:
- Hygroscopic salts: Salts in plaster can absorb moisture from the air, keeping it damp.
- Salt contamination: Even after a DPC, salts in the plaster can continue to affect it.
- Damp staining: Ground salts can stain plaster, making it hygroscopic and perpetuating dampness.
Typically, plaster is removed about one meter above floor level, depending on site conditions. After removal, walls are re-plastered with a system designed to resist moisture and salts.
Salts that are hygroscopic draw moisture from the air. These salts will contaminate the plaster inside the building, and the dampness of the salt-contaminated plaster can persist even after a repair DPC has been installed. During the course of treatment, it is crucial that contaminated plaster be removed and replaced.
Our experts will only remove what is necessary, which is typically one metre above floor level. The removal of one metre is necessary because, in general, moisture can rise up to one metre above ground level, depending on the site’s design and other factors. The appropriate repair for each damp scenario will depend on the property
Is my property damp proof?
Here are common signs of damp issues in a property:
- Musty smell: A damp property often has a noticeable musty odor.
- Stains: Brown or yellow marks on walls/ceilings, or tide marks about a meter from the floor.
- Mold: Black or grey mold on walls, ceilings, woodwork, or window frames.
- Peeling wallpaper: Particularly noticeable if crumbling low on the walls.
- Bubbling plaster: Plaster may bubble or crumble, especially near the base of walls.
- Rotting skirting boards: A common sign of rising damp.
- Spongy floorboards: Moisture from the ground can cause wood rot.
- Cold walls: Internal walls should be warm; coldness can indicate damp.
- Excess condensation: Especially on windows, seen in the morning on cold days.
Our specialists can install an effective damp proofing system for your property:
- Damp Proof Course (DPC): A barrier installed above ground level to prevent rising damp in masonry walls.
- Damp Proof Membrane (DPM): A membrane placed under concrete floors to block moisture.
- Integral Damp Proofing: Water proofers added to concrete for moisture resistance.
- Surface Coatings: Waterproof renders and coatings applied to resist non-pressurized moisture like rain.Damp proofing acts as a moisture barrier, protecting a building’s interior from damp. It can be applied to walls, floors, and structures during construction or as a retrofit. Other effective methods include:
- Ventilation Systems: Enhance airflow to reduce condensation.
- Plastic Sheets & Sand: Placed under floors to prevent moisture.
- Waterproof Compounds: Added to concrete for moisture resistance.
- Impenetrable Coatings: Applied to surfaces to block damp.
Damp can lead to mold, rot, crumbling plaster, stains, and peeling wallpaper.
What causes damp?
Damp in buildings can result from several factors:
- Condensation: Common in winter when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces like walls.
- Traumatic Damp: Caused by leaking pipes, overflows, burst pipes, or external water sources like flooding.
- Rising Damp: Moisture rising through building materials via capillary action.
- Building Faults: Holes in the roof, missing tiles, wall cracks, or poor pointing.
- Everyday Activities: Cooking, showering, and drying clothes increase indoor moisture.
Solution: Improve airflow, use extractor fans, and fix leaks.
Damp can happen for a variety of reasons, although it is most commonly caused by a failing damp proof course (DPC), inadequate ventilation, or poor property care.
Older housing were constructed entirely of porous materials with no attempt at damp proofing.
We can identify the root cause and suggest solutions. Structural issues, cracks, and faulty guttering are also common contributors in older properties.
Living in London means that it is essential for your home to have a damp-proofed construction that will guard against issues like penetrating damp, rising damp, and below-ground damp.
To stop moisture from entering interior living spaces, a damp proofing system is a moisture management barrier that can be applied to walls, floors, and the structure. In the UK, damp problems in buildings are very frequent, and damp remediation is one of the most often performed property maintenance tasks.
In order to prevent moisture from passing through concrete and masonry walls, a horizontal and vertical damp-proof barrier is needed in the proper location.
Tips: How to avoid damp in bathrooms
The easiest approach to avoid it is to keep the room adequately aired by opening a window or turning on the extraction fan whenever you shower or bathe.
To prevent damp in bathrooms, consider these strategies:
- Ventilation: Open windows and doors after showers; install a ventilation or extractor fan to remove moisture.
- Dehumidifier: Use to lower humidity levels.
- Anti-Condensation Paint: Apply to walls and ceilings to absorb moisture and inhibit mold growth.
- Heated Towel Rail: Use an electric towel rail to warm the bathroom and reduce condensation.
- Radiator Maintenance: Ensure your bathroom radiator is functioning well and bleed it if needed.
- Rinse-Free Cleaner: Use to deter mold and mildew.
- Damp Control Crystals: Place in the bathroom and replace regularly.
- Wipe Up Water: Clean up spills around the basin and floor.
- Air Out Towels: Dry damp towels and bath mats regularly.