Damp proofing a room in Harrogate

Damp proof membrane in a room below ground level in Ripon

Damp Proofing

Damp proofing is the term used for fixing damp related issues in a property including the fixing of rising damp.

We can give a free in depth survey of your property using moisture meters and relative humidity meters, to determine where your damp is coming from and the best methods to cure the problem.

Not all damp problems in a property are due to rising damp, there can be a number of different factors causing the problem and so a full survey is very important to determine all causes of the damp problem and avoid unnecessary work and unforeseen expense.

The signs of rising damp in a property are:

  • Bulging/blown plaster work that is soft to the touch and crumbles away
  • Discoloration and staining of decorated surfaces
  • White hygroscopic salt deposits appearing on the walls
  • Mould that keeps re-appearing no matter how much you clean it (usually black spot mould)
  • A musty damp smelling odour
  • Damp wet patches on walls that peak in the corners
  • Flaking/peeling paint and wallpaper
  • Rotting woodwork, skirting boards, window frames and floor boards

We offer a complete damp proofing service

From the removal and re-fitting of skirting boards, radiators, and any fixtures and fittings affected e.g. electrical sockets, light switches. This makes the process as hassle free as possible and considerably cheaper for the customer as there is no need to arrange separate trades to come in before and after the damp proofing process. All waste material from the work completed is removed from the property and responsibly recycled where possible and the clients property left clean and tidy.


Injecting Chemical Damp Proof Course

Plaster removed, wall injected ready for render

The damp proofing process

Upon completion of a full damp proofing survey the following process is undertaken to remedy the rising damp.

All old plaster work and skirting boards will be removed and a new chemical damp proof course is drilled and injected into the existing mortar of the property - this is done in accordance with the 1985 BS code of practice for “Installation of Damp Proof Courses” - BS 6576.

Once the injection process is complete all the walls that originally had damp plaster work on them will be sprayed with a hygroscopic salt inhibitor to prevent the recurrence of salt deposits on the re-plastered walls.

All walls are now rendered with a sand and cement mixture that also includes an additive which will allow any moisture still retained within the wall to dry out in such a way that will not cause any damage to the newly rendered wall. The rendered walls are then plastered with a lightweight plaster that complies to the manufacturers recommendations.

The original skirting boards are inspected for any signs of wet or dry rot, as are floor boards and floor joists. Should any signs of wet or dry rot be present then all affected areas will be removed and replaced with new or treated as required. If new skirting board or new flooring is required by the customer we can supply and fit these as part of the service.

Guarantee

All rising damp work is covered by a 30 year guarantee which is issued to the owner of the property. If the original property owner moves then the guarantee can be passed to the new owners which gives peace of mind that the damp work has been completed professionally, should any further damp occur the property owners are fully protected by the 30 year Kingfisher Approved Installer Guarantee.