What is damp proofing?

by | Jul 3, 2023 | Water Proofing

Damp proofing is a technique that is used to prevent unwanted moisture from entering a building through the walls or floor. As bricks and mortar are porous materials, moisture can slowly creep through it, the results will be unsightly stains, possible deterioration of floor timbers as well as mould. Modern building standards include the insertion of a damp proof course during construction, damp proofing in Eastbourne can also be done to an older property that was constructed without damp proofing or the damp proof membrane has failed, this can be done by inserting a chemical cream.

One of the common sources of dampness in a building is rising damp. Because masonry is porous, water can slowly seep from the ground, through the walls or floor and cause significant damage. The water that seeps from the ground contain various hydroscopic salts, this means that these salts attract water. In cases where the ground is dry and no moisture is being pulled from it, the hydroscopic salts continue to attract water from the air; the results are damp walls even when the only source of water is high humidity.

If the damp is not eliminated and is allowed to remain in the walls and floor mould and fungus can quickly take hold, mould spores in particular can be the cause of serious health issues. Not only are there health issues; the moisture will cause unsightly stains on the wall, if the problem is not taken seriously and rectified, the damp can eventually lead to rot and deterioration of floor timbers. Damp proofing in Eastbourne not only prevents rising damp, it stems other causes of dampness. Visit the website to get more details.

During new home construction a damp proof course is inserted, this acts as a horizontal barrier in the walls. A solid floor is protected in a similar manner except a damp proof membrane is employed. Damp proofing walls is usually done using a very thin layer of plastic between a pair of blocks, to damp proof the floor a membrane of polythene is laid before the floor slab is poured.

In the event the external ground or internal floor levels rise it is possible that the damp proofing will fail, in older buildings damp proofing may not have been done when the home was originally built. In either case contractors who do damp proofing can drill a series of holes around the perimeter of the home and insert a chemical cream. The cream forms and effective barrier against rising damp.

Without damp proofing in Eastbourne a homeowner will suffer from unsightly marks on the walls of his home or even structural damage. If you are experiencing problems with rising damp you are invited to contact Cavitytech Systems Ltd.

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