Rising & Penetrative Damp

RISING & PENETRATIVE DAMP

SO, WHAT IS RISING & PENETRATIVE DAMP?

If the damp seems to be at the bottoms of your walls, then it is likely that the damp is the result of your damp proof course being bridged or faulty, resulting in rising damp.

If it is the case where the damp proof course has been bridged, it may be due to an external feature that has been installed, for example, a patio or a flower bed. Removing the new external feature or lowering the ground level and allowing your damp area to dry out, could solve your rising damp issue.
 
However, if it is that your damp proof course has failed, you will need to consider repairing it. If this is the case then you will need a qualified professional to fully evaluate the extent of the failure to determine the next steps.
 
Rising damp only occurs on the ground floor as it is moisture from the ground that is being drawn up into the walls, if your damp is on the first floor or above it may be that you have a condensation problem, or a penetrating damp issue.
Damp Proofing Material

SIGNS YOUR PROPERTY COULD BE SUFFERING FROM RISING DAMP

  • Tide marks & Damp staining

  • Peeling Wallpaper

  • Decayed Skirting Boards

  • Salts within the plaster

  • Black Mould

If you can, look at the exposed surface of the brick or stonework. Check to see if there are salts forming and that the brick is actually wet - not just the wallpaper or paint.

Run your hands around the suspected area, if you have wallpaper on your walls you may hear a ‘crunch’ sound of the salts that have formed.

DRYPRO'S RISING DAMP SOLUTIONS

STEP 1

Use an electronic moisture meter to check the moisture levels in the walls.

STEP 2

Dig away any soil that is resting directly on the property to leave a gap and prevent moisture build-up.