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What is rising damp?
Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground travels upward through porous building material like, brick, mortar or concrete etc. This happens due to capillary action, where water is drawn up through tiny pores in the structure. The problem is often worsened by the absence or failure of a damp proof course (DPC), a barrier designed to prevent moisture from rising.
Other contributing factors include high ground water tables, bridging of existing DPC’s i.e. bridging render/plaster coats or raised ground/path levels, defective pointing, cracked/loose render, leaking rainwater goods, poor drainage around the property etc. Rising damp will carry soluble ground salts (chlorides and nitrates) from the ground up into the wall and contaminate the wall plaster.
There are several methods in treating rising damp problems and Protreat will provide the most suitable solution for the property and the customer’s needs.
Some examples of remedial treatments
- Removing damp/salt contaminated wall plaster
- Drill and inject new chemical DPC (thixotropic creams, gels or injection mortar)
- Slurry/render tanking coats
- Specialist limelite renovation replastering
- The installation of slimline cavity drain membrane, prior to re-plastering
Penetrating damp can be caused from external defects, high external or adjoining ground levels, even due to the construction i.e. solid 9” brick walls with no cavity, rubble filled cavity properties with through stones.
It is important to resolve any damp issues/defects, as any timbers in contact with such dampness are vulnerable to fungal decay such as wet rot or dry rot attacks.
Treating penetrating dampness
- Repair any required external defects i.e. poor pointing, cracked/loose render, leaking rainwater goods, lower raised ground path levels etc
- Apply internal tanking solutions and specialist renovation replastering
- Fix slimline cavity drain membranes/plaster board and skim
- Install waterproofing systems internally
- Apply storm dry externally. Storm dry is a masonry protection cream which penetrates deeply into brick, stone or concrete and is a water repellent. Storm dry is based on proven silane/siloxane technology and works by lining the pores of the masonry rather than blocking them, allowing the wall to continue to breathe. This is in contrast to many standard brick or stone sealer products which trap any existing moisture in.
