Damp proofing consists of a physical barrier which is in walls and floors; the barrier prevents moisture from passing from the exterior to the interior space which is the cause of rising damp. A damp proof membrane or course can be added to both walls and floor to prevent this from occurring. The materials used for damp proofing in Brighton include sheets of plastic, concrete or copper. A cavity wall needs a damp course on both sides; the material used for the inner wall must be located below ground level.
A common method used to stop rising damp is the creation of a damp proof course. A damp proof course is a horizontal barrier located in a wall. Solid floors can be protected using a similar method by using a damp proof membrane.
Rising damp is common in areas with significant rain fall and damp proofing in Brighton is needed to prevent it from happening. Commonly used building materials including brick and mortar are porous; this porosity allows nitrates and chlorides to rise up out of the ground. Ground salts pull moisture from the air which is one primary cause of damp walls and floors in wet areas.
Building standards require that damp proofing be included when the building is being constructed. The common method employed is plastic strips as well as engineering slate although there are other materials which are equally effective and also in common use, these materials include copper, high strength cement concrete as well as a layer of course sand under the floor slab. You can visit here to get more details.
The normal way to damp proof walls is the use of thin plastic which is placed between two building blocks. Cavity walls normally have a damp proof course on both walls, inner and outer. This damp proof course is usually six to eight inches above grade; this ensures that even water splashing up during a heavy downpour will not have any detrimental effect on the wall above the damp course.
In many cases older homes were not constructed using a damp proof course or membrane. In cases such as this it is possible for chemical damp proofing in Brighton to be employed. To do this the damp proofing contractor will drill a series of regularly spaced holes in the masonry course and introduce the chemical. The chemical, in the form of a cream forms a barrier, eliminating rising damp.
Rising damp can be the cause of unsightly stains on the plaster and decorative finishes in your home. In the event there is a failure of the damp course or one does not exist, damp proofing in Brighton can be carried out by the professionals at Cavitytech Systems Ltd.