Rising Damp
What is rising damp
Rising damp is when moisture gets drawn into the wall through capillary action - almost like a wick - moisture that resides under or around the walls. Capillaries are the tiny channels within the structure - cement, brick or stone - which makes it porous and it gets soaked by the moisture
Rising damp is a particular problem in older houses but can affect any building where the original damp proof course (DPC) that was installed to prevent rising damp has become damaged or where the ground level around a property has been raised bridging the original damp proof course with the possible addition of a new path, drive way, flower bed, etc.
a Failed barrier or DPC - to prevent rising damp - will allow water from the ground to rise through the brick work, stone work or through the mortar joint that holds the brick work together. This ground water often contains soluble salts that are deposited on the surfaces of the walls as they dry out. In turn, these salts draw moisture from the atmosphere giving a permanent damp feeling to the wall leading to one of the key indicators to help identify rising damp.
Request a Quote
Rising damp is when moisture gets drawn into the wall through capillary action - almost like a wick - moisture that resides under or around the walls. Capillaries are the tiny channels within the structure - cement, brick or stone - which makes it porous and it gets soaked by the moisture
Rising damp is a particular problem in older houses but can affect any building where the original damp proof course (DPC) that was installed to prevent rising damp has become damaged or where the ground level around a property has been raised bridging the original damp proof course with the possible addition of a new path, drive way, flower bed, etc.
a Failed barrier or DPC - to prevent rising damp - will allow water from the ground to rise through the brick work, stone work or through the mortar joint that holds the brick work together. This ground water often contains soluble salts that are deposited on the surfaces of the walls as they dry out. In turn, these salts draw moisture from the atmosphere giving a permanent damp feeling to the wall leading to one of the key indicators to help identify rising damp.
Request a Quote
Why rising damp occurs
All buildings are surrounded by natural moisture that unless prevented is trying to get into the structure of the building. Materials such as stone and brick are naturally porous and will gradually soak up moisture via their capillaries. When a building is constructed, a measure to prevent rising damp is generally installed in the form of a physical damp proof course (DPC) into the walls however, when this preventative rising damp treatment does not exist or becomes damaged the most common result is rising damp.
Why rising damp can be a problem
Rising damp can keep the material of the structure in a damp state which can lead to the failure of the material. It is unsightly, potentially unhealthy, and can cause heat loss due to the increased conductivity of the walls. If you notice the signs of rising damp a general rule of thumb is that the sooner you start thinking about resolving the issue, the less likely more damage will occur and lower the potential costs to fix the issue.
How to identify rising damp
Identifying a rising damp issue can usually be done by looking for visual clues and by touch. Tell tale signs or rising damp include a "tide-mark" on the wall above skirting boards of up to 1 metre, blistering paint and possibly white efflorescent salts which have been drawn out of the brickwork by the water.
To help you identify the issue or for more information on how to spot rising damp,
Request a quote.
How to fix a rising damp problem
Firstly, consider if the rising damp (damp proofing) barrier is really to blame. Sometimes new external features such as a flowerbed or patio may have been installed above the rising damp barrier causing rising damp to occur.
By lowering these features to below the damp barrier you may cure a rising damp problem by allowing the area to dry out naturally. After that, all you really need to do is to regually open your windows and heat the room. However, if the rising damp barrier has failed, modern techniques employed are very successful and a rising damp survey will reveal the extent of any problem with the recommended and most appropriate rising damp treatment.
This could either be the injection of water repellent chemicals into the brick work or the fitting of a new physical damp proof membrane to the area with the removal and replacement of any affected plaster work and damaged timber.
Request a Quote
All buildings are surrounded by natural moisture that unless prevented is trying to get into the structure of the building. Materials such as stone and brick are naturally porous and will gradually soak up moisture via their capillaries. When a building is constructed, a measure to prevent rising damp is generally installed in the form of a physical damp proof course (DPC) into the walls however, when this preventative rising damp treatment does not exist or becomes damaged the most common result is rising damp.
Why rising damp can be a problem
Rising damp can keep the material of the structure in a damp state which can lead to the failure of the material. It is unsightly, potentially unhealthy, and can cause heat loss due to the increased conductivity of the walls. If you notice the signs of rising damp a general rule of thumb is that the sooner you start thinking about resolving the issue, the less likely more damage will occur and lower the potential costs to fix the issue.
How to identify rising damp
Identifying a rising damp issue can usually be done by looking for visual clues and by touch. Tell tale signs or rising damp include a "tide-mark" on the wall above skirting boards of up to 1 metre, blistering paint and possibly white efflorescent salts which have been drawn out of the brickwork by the water.
To help you identify the issue or for more information on how to spot rising damp,
Request a quote.
How to fix a rising damp problem
Firstly, consider if the rising damp (damp proofing) barrier is really to blame. Sometimes new external features such as a flowerbed or patio may have been installed above the rising damp barrier causing rising damp to occur.
By lowering these features to below the damp barrier you may cure a rising damp problem by allowing the area to dry out naturally. After that, all you really need to do is to regually open your windows and heat the room. However, if the rising damp barrier has failed, modern techniques employed are very successful and a rising damp survey will reveal the extent of any problem with the recommended and most appropriate rising damp treatment.
This could either be the injection of water repellent chemicals into the brick work or the fitting of a new physical damp proof membrane to the area with the removal and replacement of any affected plaster work and damaged timber.
Request a Quote
