Rising damp is when moisture rises up brick or masonry structures from the ground. Any unprotected structure is susceptible to rising moisture. Damp rises through capillary actions through the pores of the masonry walls. This seeks a means of evaporation. The water vapour will continue to rise until it reaches a height where no evaporation is possible. Gravity will then take over and pull it down again. The height this occurs is not usually higher than 1.2m. Although, salt deposits might be found higher often when non-breathing plasters/renders have been used.
If you think you have a rising damp problem then one of the most obvious tell-tale signs is a stain/tidemark. Found usually low down on the wall above the skirting boards, these marks are a clear indicator. If you do not notice tide marks, another very common sign is damp patches or staining. Typically, these damp patches are yellowish or brownish in colour and show similarities to tide marks. These will be noticeable up to 1 meter above the skirting board. If you have evidence of this, you may have a rising damp issue which will need to be investigated.
The necessary remedial works we offer will prevent further damage. Rising damp can cause damage to your decoration, wall plaster, structural timbers and health. Rising damp can occur in any type of building, so make sure you’re looking out for the early signs.
Once identified, our surveyors will recommend the best course of action for your property. No two treatments are the same, so we will create a plan perfectly tailored to you! A common method we use is to install a chemical damp proof by drilling holes in the base of the wall. We then inject a damp proof solution; hack off the internal wall plaster and replaster with a sand and cement render. We also incorporate a salt inhibitor.
Penetrating damp as it sounds is when dampness has been able to penetrate your property. This can be through the roof, the walls, the pointing and even sub ground areas. If you notice any strange watermarks, types of dampness or suspicious mould growths, penetrating damp might be the problem. Damage to timber or wall finishes can also be a sign that something is wrong.
Penetrative damp is primarily caused by issues with the external fabric of the building. This can be anything from masonry construction or render, to damage of the roof or rainwater goods. If you think that you might have a problem, you need to contact a specialist to come and carry out an inspection. Preventing penetrative damp will make costly property damage completely avoidable.
These issues can emerge with the external envelope of the building. These can be as simple as a loose slate, blocked gutters/downpipes, or wind-driven rain. Properties in exposed areas will be more prone to this. Cracks in the render, badly fitted window frames/doors are all sources of damp penetration. Penetrating damp is present where an existing problem has allowed water to enter the property in one form or another.
Cavity walls can also be subject to penetrating damp. A cavity wall is a wall consisting of two separate walls separated by an internal cavity or space. All modern homes (built since the 20s and 30s) have cavity walls. This allows for penetrative moisture to evaporate before hitting the internal wall. This problem occurs when there is a breach in the cavity, allowing for water to migrate through the internal wall surfaces.
We will undertake a thorough inspection of your property, to establish what the cause of the problem is. Once we have established the nature of the issue, we can treat penetrating damp with traditional building techniques. We can achieve this by repairing the damage which allows the damp in – or by applying a physical membrane or chemical water repellent.
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