Damp Proofing Works A Homeowners Guide

Damp Proofing Works A Homeowners Guide

Damp Proofing Works A Homeowners Guide

Who says damp proofing is a dull subject? Read on and find out a little about how homes are constructed and how we keep out the damp.

Damp Proofing Brick Course

I learned about damp proofing mostly from demolition and taking houses apart rather than reading up on the subject.

When I first took out a bit of ground floor wall on a Victorian house I was surprised to find sheets of slate wedged in between brick courses just above the ground level. Repetition in the following years easily confirmed that slate was used widely as a damp proofing technique on older houses.

Laying down damp proofing to new brickwork for the modern home hasnt changed that much. We no longer use slate of course but instead we tend to use a polymer sheet which is available in rolls and widths to suit all manner of brick wall sizes. Its also reasonably priced goes down quickly and will last indefinitely.

Damp Proofing Problems

Most damp proofing problems commonly referred to as rising damp is related to the ground floor brickwork and occurs when there is a breakdown in the existing damp proofing membrane. One of the most common causes of rising damp is when the ground levels are altered externally with damp soil or ground now touching walls above the damp proofing membrane. To avoid rising damp it is essential that the external ground levels never go higher then the damp proof membrane. As a guide the distance from the damp proof membrane to the ground should be around 150mm.

Damp Proofing Interior Plaster

Once the old damp proof membrane breaks down rising damp then enters the brickwork above and moisture enters the plasterwork above the skirting causing blistering, discoloration and water staining.

When you see this type of plaster work to the ground floor walls you know that the effected area is suffering from rising damp and need damp proofing or dpc treatment.

Rising Damp Treatment

The treatment of rising damp is a relatively simple process and involves the following process to the effected areas of wall:

Removal of Skirting;

Removal of existing plasterwork to a height of 1mt;

New dpc course of bricks in the form of a chemical or silicon injection at approx 200mm gaps to one row of bricks. This is to insure silicon that is injected to the brickwork overlaps and becomes waterproof forming a new barrier to rising damp;

Replastering with a waterproof additive;

Refitting skirtings.

Conclusion

Rising damp and damp proofing is not rocket science. Its a pretty basic principle that has been around for years and is extremely effective providing it is done correctly.

You can compare costs for damp proofing and timber treatments at Damp Proofing Supermarket the UKs Leading Price Comparison Site for Damp proofing

by: Tom Norris

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