Rising Damp Treatment
Rising Damp is a phenomenon where moisture from the ground is wicked up through the masonry and building materials by capillary action, resulting in moisture appearing to rise from the ground.
Rising Damp is one of the many types of water ingress issues our clients face. It often goes undetected inside walls for a long time, slowly damaging the structure of buildings. Early signs of rising damp may be subtle enough not to raise the property owner’s alarm until the problem’s extent is clearly evidenced by deteriorating stumps, footings, masonry, and building bricks.
Rising damp in walls often occurs because a Damp-Proof Course (DPC) has not been installed or is faulty due to age or incorrect installation. A similar issue exists with concrete slabs on the ground where the vapour barrier (often called builder’s plastic) from when the concrete was placed is compromised or lacking.
What are the Common Signs of Rising Damp that you can look out for?
Typical signs of rising damp:
- Tide marks of salts / raised white deposits
- Dark patches on walls that can be damp to touch – Determine that the brickwork/masonry is actually wet and not just the plaster or wallpaper.
- Stained or crumbled plaster, peeling wallpaper and blistering paint around the floor level
- Damp and musty smell.
- Discolouration and black spots of mould
- Decaying timber such as skirting boards, floorboards, floor joists.
- Deterioration of mortar joints
Mould or damp patches are not always visible, and you may have hidden mould or damp:
- There is a mouldy/earthy odour
- There is regular condensation indoors
- The home feels regularly humid.
Moisture problems can also stem from the concrete slab beneath the flooring.
We often find that the moisture barrier (plastic underneath the concrete slab) has been compromised or not installed correctly during construction, allowing moisture to wick up through the section of the concrete slab and damage the flooring.