subject: Damp Courses Options available! Especially if you live somewhere flat like Kingston upon Hull! [print this page] Damp Courses Options available! Especially if you live somewhere flat like Kingston upon Hull!
If you live in flat areas like we do in Kingston upon Hull, Rising damp can be a real problem. If you live only a couple of meters above sea level, then you will have come to know what the effects of rising damp can have on a building. Once you have escaped the harsh effects of winter and Spring is on it's way, it's time to tackle any damp problems you have in your home.
Prolonged dampness can cause a lot of damage to a house if left unchecked.Before starting a course of damp treatment, you should carry out a full risk assessment to make sure it is safe to do so. Local damp course specialists often provide you with a breakdown of work needed and anysafetymeasures that will need to be in place.
What is Rising damp?
Rising damp is caused by a process known as capillary action and is defined as the upward flow of moisture through a permeable surface such as masonry and brick walls. The causes are destruction due to age and inneffective or non existant damp proofing measures.
To stop rising damp from occurring, a horisontal waterproof damp-proof course system should be inserted into the walls at a height above 250mm and above any nearby ground levels. This is to ensure that moisture doesn't manage to gain access to the overall building structure bypersistentsplash back action or water being squirted up the walls by inneffective waterworks.A vertical damp proof membrane should be installed between walls that are protected from damp, but are ajoined by other walls that are not protected.
If your property is more than 70 years old or over, then it is quite possible that it doesn't have any protection. However don't panic! It doesn't have to be that expensive to correct and can sometimes be done with only a little knowhow.
Here are some types of damp proof course that you may want to consider:
Solid damp proof course
A traditional damp proof course is made up of a layer of solid material such asbitumen felt, polythene, copper sheeting, film water rejection and other non porus substances. A Solid damp proof course is thought to provide the most effective way of resisting water flow, but they are incredibly difficult to install in a wall once it has been constructed since removing the mortar coarse candestabilizethe and considerations have to be made regarding internal pipes and wires. This therefore makes the option of a solid damp proof course only available to new buildings.
Chemical damp proof course
A liquid chemical damp proof course is the best and most widespread solution. Itinvolves injecting a silicone based water resistant liquid directly into the wall to create a water repellingbarrier. It'seffectiveness can vary since it does not always manage to reject water and moisture may still slip through it.Alternatives such as a cream chemical damp proof course can be very effective as this can reply water more easily than a liquid. This is a more expensive solution so seek out a good Hull Damp Proofer to get the best deal. Breeze blocks are not porous and do not allow the liquid to flow through them at all so a chemical damp proof course is not recommended here.
Electro Osmotic Damp Proof Course
This is a scientific approach wich uses electrically charged negative titanium electrodes. They are installed into the wall to draw out moisture and damp towards them away from rising up the wall.A negative cathode is placed at the bottom of the wall and reverses the direction of the travel of water. This is plugged into your elctric supply and the system has to be earthed and can therefore be quite expensive.
Porous Tube Damp Proof Course
Porous tubes are inserted into the mortar 300mm above the level of the ground, which increases the rate of water evaporation and therefore slows down the effects of moisture from rising above that level. Even though this is a cost effective solution, it is less reliable than a chemical damp proof course as the holes are too far spaced apart and only serve to limit rather than fully prevent the rise of moisture.
Solid Floor Damp Proof Membrane
Solid concrete floors are common especially in kitchens, outhouses and extensions of old homes. Like any othermasonarythis can allow moisture into the home, however can be treated quite easily with a damp proof membrane or barrier. Existing floors can be lined with a water proof barrier and sealed with heavy duty poly moisture curing layer before adding another level of lazer screed over the top.
Prevention Is Often The Cure
One way however, and probably the cheapest option above all is to do any external repairs to the home such as clearing out your guttering full of leaves to stop the spill of water down the walls. A how to guide on clearing your gutter to prevent damp can be found here.
