Damp proofing and rising damp control specialists

BCS Property Projects offers a range of damp proofing services include rising damp control and penetrating walls using damp proof membrane

The phrase "rising damp" can strike fear into any homeowner's mind, however with accurate diagnosis and a correctly specified solution, it does not have to be the horror story that many dread.

Rising damp is simply the movement of groundwater up a building's walls by a process similar to how oil travels up a lamp's wick. This can occur either because the property was built with no damp course in it (a physical barrier to prevent the passage of water) or because the original damp course has failed, which can occur for a number of reasons.

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If it is established that a property does have rising damp, BCS's surveyor will specify the installation of a new damp course to prevent future moisture being drawn up the walls.

Typical signs of rising damp are a tidemark on the wall surface, loose paint or peeling wallpaper and possibly some evidence of salts that have been carried up the wall within the water. Our surveyors will assess any suspected rising damp problem carefully to ensure that there isn’t an alternative cause of the dampness, for example condensation or a pipe leak.

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In the majority of cases, this will involve a chemical damp proof course (DPC) being injected at regular intervals into the masonry. This chemical injection will spread through the bricks forming a waterproof barrier and preventing any further damp from rising.

In some instances, we may recommend the installation of an electro-osmotic system. This method involves a piece of titanium wire being installed within the walls through which an electric current passes. The electrical current repels the chemical attraction that draws moisture up the walls, therefore preventing damp from rising.

Electro-osmosis is particularly useful in older buildings with very thick walls or walls in poor condition, as it involves less disruption (drilling) into the structure

When any remedial DPC is installed, it is vital that internal walls are re-plastered, as the damp that has previously risen will have carried salts from the ground into the wall. These salts can cause ongoing problems, for example some of them are hygroscopic and attract atmospheric moisture to them, so any damp proofing that is carried out needs to incorporate re-plastering to ensure that no further symptoms of rising damp are experienced.

If you have any enquiries or would like further information about our Rising Damp Control services, please contact us.