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To know what is a damp proof course (DPC) and its purpose first, it’s essential to understand the problem that it intends to solve. Rising damp is a prevalent type of moisture that affects building walls. Moisture from the ground rises through the walls as a result of capillary action. This means that groundwater is drawn up through microscopic channels in the bricks like a series of straws. This water contains salts, which move up the wall as well, causing damp walls. Other porous construction elements, such as plasterwork and the timber found in floorboards, joists, and skirtings, are located around the damaged wall. These materials will also readily absorb groundwater, and you may notice signs of wet rot in the wood. Rising damp is usually detected by the harm it causes to a building’s internal walls. Plaster and paint erode over time, and wallpaper loosens.
At the point where the groundwater has reached, a visible stain emerges on the wall in the form of a tide mark. Salts may bloom on the interior surface as well. This is a common symptom of rising humidity and can result in paint and plasterwork debonding. Mortar may crumble externally, leaving white salt stains on the walls.
One of the most crucial aspects of a home is the damp proof course. The DPC keeps the property dry by preventing rainwater from rising from the ground. It’s often installed with a damp proof membrane too. Excess moisture getting access to your house can cause a variety of wet problems, causing various damages. As a result, it’s critical to make sure your home has an excellent damp proof course in place to keep water out of the foundation. This website will help you better understand what a damp-proof course is and the finest damp treatments.
After defining what a damp proof course is, it’s essential to understand some crucial DPC-related terminology so you can remain on top of what’s going on with your home.
When it comes to DPC repairs or damp proofing in your home, it’s helpful to be aware of the terminologies that may be used so that you aren’t left perplexed by an inspection or report.
This happens when dirt or other substrate is piled/built up against the external wall and above the damp proof course, allowing moisture to bypass the DPC altogether. Bridging can also occur if structures such as pathways, patios, and garden walls are created following the DPC, allowing moisture to circumvent the membrane and climb above it.
The transfer of moisture from the ground up into the brickwork and render via microscopic pores in the building material is known as capillary action (the cause of rising dampness).
The term is given to dampness that occurs from moisture rising upwards from the ground into your walls by capillary action.
When moisture is absorbed into the outer brickwork and permeates the structure, dampening the internal brickwork and plaster.
We specialise in delivering comprehensive damp proofing for both residential and commercial properties at Sussex Damp Experts. Our team of specialists will gladly come to your home and do an honest assessment of your damp issues before proposing the most effective solution for your specific needs. Make an appointment for a free survey now, or call 01273 257 765 for personalised guidance.
There are several types of remedial damp-proof courses that you can use on a property. A suitable damp proof course will be selected based on the property’s construction.
A chemical damp proof course injection is what it’s called. This procedure includes injecting a cream or liquid into the wall to act as a water repellent layer, preventing damp from the ground from rising above the damp proof course. The system is injected into holes bored at least 150mm above the external ground level in the wall.
An Electro Osmosis Damp Proof Course can be installed when the use of chemicals is inappropriate, or the client desires a non-chemical damp proof course. Copper and titanium wiring are used to implant a small electric charge into the wall, which switches the polarity of the capillary in the wall and draws the rising damp below the new damp course level.
This is analogous to the use of lotions or liquids injected into the wall. Instead of using cream or liquid, a chemically strengthened mortar is employed and caulked into the wall openings. This is employed when the wall is made of random rubble, and the structure is prone to voids. To stop rising damp, the mortar fills the hole in the brickwork, and the chemical is drawn into the wall structure from the mortar.
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It is critical for all property owners to ensure that their home is adequately secured with a damp proof course.
The damp proof course keeps moisture from the ground from climbing up the walls and causing damage to your home. Excess moisture rising from the floor may impact properties that lack a suitable damp protection layer or have a broken damp course. This extra moisture may wreak havoc on plaster, decorations and even cause wet rot or dry rot in untreated wood.
The damp-proof course should be visible at a minimum of 150 mm above ground level in most modern homes. This may seem like a bitumen or plastic DPC sheet protruding through a mortar course. These materials are usually quite successful unless they crack owing to building movement, the DPC is bridged, or the older bitumen material breaks down due to ageing. To prevent rising damp, damp-proof courses are necessary for all new construction properties.
As previously said, numerous causes can cause a damp-proof course to fail. Building renovations have increased the ground level over the previous damp proof course, which is a challenge that our experts frequently confront. This permits moisture from the ground to seep through the DPC and into the property. If this occurs, we propose that the ground be dropped to 150mm below the original DPC or that a new damp proof course be installed if this is not possible. The first step is to have a specialist damp surveyor assess the property and provide an accurate diagnosis of the damp problem and recommendations for how to resolve it. This service is available with Sussex Damp Experts surveys. If you would like to get a damp survey on your property, please call 01273 257 765 to book one with our team.
The expenses of repairing (or installing) a damp proof course are determined by various criteria, including the property’s dimensions, architecture and materials used, among others.
Because there are so many details to consider, call our fully trained team on 01273 257 765 to schedule a survey. One of our friendly team members will check the property and thoroughly grasp the situation before giving you the most cost-effective price.
Sussex Damp Experts are damp proofing specialists that can assist you with everything from wood, wall, ceiling, and floor evaluations to all treatments and repairs linked to damp issues. Commercial property owners, property management businesses, and residential property owners are among our clientele.
Our moisture specialists will check and analyse the severity of the damp problem in your house. Specific damp and timber treatments and damp-proof membranes installation are among our specialities, and we use the most effective methods to fix the problem.
Our employees have completed training that meets or exceeds the industry’s requirements. Our surveyors are all Certified Surveyors in Remedial Treatment (CSRT), ensuring the highest level of service to our customers.
Some of the advantages of using our services are as follows:
Call us at 01273 257 765 or email us if you are experiencing any damp problems at a property.
Max and his team have been at our property all week and I really can’t thank them enough for the fantastic job they’ve done on plastering both our walls and ceilings. They have literally transformed the appearance of our house! Not only has Ma…
From start to finish Max has been incredable. His knowledge lin damp proofing is second to none and his team where very clean and polite. The plastered finish was like glass so happy we choose Max Plastering for job.
Lovely bunch of lads left a very neat and clean job. Problem was solved.
Perfect Finnish and all left clean and tidy and no mess. Used Max previously and would not hesitate to ask him carry out more work.
Max, Harvey and Stuart arrived promptly as arranged. Done a great job on our outside rear wall. Work completed to a high standard, removal of all old material and cleaned up after themselves. I am so pleased with the standard of their work they ar…
They turned up on time and carried out the works in a very professional manor leaving the front of the house clean and tidy. Very impressed would definitely recommend.
I have to say that on every level Max (with Stuart and Harvey) did an extremely professional job! They explained what they were going to do, they were polite and courteous and respected that they were coming into our home. The plastering is of the…
I called max and he managed to come around the same day to do a survey. The next day I received an extremely detailed survey compared to any other damp proofer which made me feel very at ease that he was going to do the right job. Max and team tur…
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