rising damp

Rising Damp

Rising Damp is a common issue, often arising when the water from the ground rises up through the fine cracks and pores in a property, causing moisture. Rising damp should be treated immediately, as it will often make its way up the walls of a building, acting like a sponge.

Rising Damp Should Not be Left Untreated

Rising Damp can be a big problem if left untreated. Here at DLD Damp Proofing, we have been dealing with rising damp for a number of years now, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that your rising damp issues are in good hands.

Rising Damp can also lead to ‘salts’. If this happens then the damage could range from anything from bubbling paint and plaster through to the disintegration of the wall. If you think your property could be effected by rising damp, then you should look out for the following signs;- damp patches, tidemarks or blistering on the inside walls and rotting timber i.e. skirting boards and floors. If your property has any of these symptoms, then please contact our team today to discuss treatments.

What is Rising Damp?

As a relatively rare form of damp affecting the walls of buildings, rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground travels up through the walls. Effectively, this is where ground water is sucked up through tiny tubes in the brickwork. Around the affected wall, you get other porous building materials such as Plasterwork and timber found in the floor boards, joists and skirtings will also easily absorb the ground water, potentially resulting in wet rot.

What are the common signs of rising damp?

There are many common signs of rising damp including:
• Over time, rising damp can manifest in the deterioration of plaster and paint, as well as wallpaper loosening. Externally, mortar may crumble and white salt stains may appear on the walls.
• Damp or Wet Patches Appearing on Walls
• Salts Within the plaster
• Flaky or Bubbling Plaster
• Rotting Skirting Boards and Flooring
• Damp and Musty Smell
• Rusting Iron and Steel Fasteners
• Crumbling Bricks and Mortar Between Bricks.

What are the causes of Rising Damp?

Most buildings have a damp-proof course barrier installed at the lower level of the wall to prevent water rising up. Over time, the damp course barrier can fail, allowing water to travel up walls which can lead to rising damp.

How can Rising Damp be treated?

The most effective and cost-effective method of treating rising damp is with a damp proofing injection cream that can be injected or hand-pumped into specially-positioned holes in the mortar course. By reverting to a liquid once inserted, it can penetrate the bricks and create a powerful water-repellent barrier that prevents water rising up the wall.
Alternatively, you can install a new damp proof membrane to act as a damp-proof course, taking out individual bricks along the failed mortar course and installing a new physical damp proof membrane.
To treat rising damp on internal walls, any wallpaper and plaster back to the bricks or substrate would need to be removed, as well as for the external walls.
After these steps, the walls would need to re-plastered.

Contact Our Team for Rising Damp Treatments Today!

Before treating any rising damp we will firstly take out an extensive survey on the property to identify the damp source. Once identified our team of experts will carry out the appropriate course of action to ensure the raising damp is treat accordingly.

If your property is suffering from rising damp, then please do not hesitate to contact DLD Damp Proofing today for more information.