Rising Dampness

The main types of dampness within a property are Rising Damp, Penetrating Damp, Condensation and occasionally Leaking Pipework.

Installation of a new damp proof course on its own is not a universal cure to treat rising damp, or for other damp problems, of any structure. With rising damp the ground water travels up through the masonry by capillary attraction bringing with it Hygroscopic salts from the ground.  These salts are very absorbent and cannot be removed from the brickwork.  The salts then transfer into the plaster, therefore making damp walls as they continue to absorb moisture.  The most effective resolution to this problem is to inject a damp course to stop further rising damp and then re-render the walls with our specialist plaster which is designed to prohibit the transference of Hygroscopic salts.  Damp proofing is essential to make the walls dry. 

Original damp proof courses in older buildings generally break down over a period of time and become ineffective.  Therefore this necessitates the need for injection of a damp proof course and subsequent replastering work. 

Lateral water penetration can occur via external defects like defective guttering, high external ground levels, defective pointing and design defects.  Basements and cellars are notorious for having lateral water penetration.  The way to manage this is to install one of our specialist Structural Waterproofing Systems. 

All our surveyors are damp proof specialists and are trained, qualified, monitored and audited in their work.