Damp proofing is necessary to make sure that your building is protected from the possibility of damp impacting your property. When it comes to damp proofing, you should always call in an expert to tackle the issue. This is where the question comes in, how does damp proofing work? At Allerton Damp, we specialise in all things damp proofing, with all of our professionals fully trained in the removal of damp, as well as the undertaking and installation of damp proofing. For this reason, when the question of ‘how does damp proofing work’ arises – we can answer that for you simply! We’ve put together a post on all things damp and how damp proofing works to answer that tricky question for you.
What is Damp?
Structural dampness is when unwanted moisture infiltrates the structure of your building. This occurs due to intrusion from outside moisture, or condensation that appears within the structure due to excess moisture in your property. Damp is caused by water ingress, which can come from outside of the house or within depending on the situation and type of damp. If water makes it way into a property that is not suitably protected by a damp proofing system, it can cause several problems, including damaged and cracked plaster, due to excessive damp and moisture.
Types of Damp
Penetrating damp affects a range of properties, named after the way the moisture penetrates the wall. This occurs through a ‘capillary action’ which allows the moisture to soak through the material. Most commonly, penetrating damp impacts areas where walls are surrounded by earth, such as cellars and basements. This is due to the fact that these walls are in constant contact with the earth, which means they are in constant contact with moisture. Penetrating damp can still occur in other building locations, mostly due to property damages. Some examples are: broken or missing roof tiles, broken pipes, exterior plaster or brickwork issues.
Rising damp occurs when water gradually enters the property through upwards capillary action. Where masonry meets the earth, there will be contact with groundwater and rainwater. Due to masonry’s porous nature, the damp is absorbed and raised to the height of around 1.5m via capillary action. This can be prevented by a damp proofing barrier, which is why having this in your property is essential. Damp will absorb upwards through the properties external brickwork and penetrate the wall if not prevented accurately. This will leave your internal plaster work damp and spoiled, creating an environment for mould to grow.
How Does Damp Proofing Work?
So, how does damp proofing work? Damp proofing works by preventing any unwanted moisture from penetrating the building and reaching the internal walls of a property. Once in a building, water can be incredibly mobile and make its way through walls to cause a damp and mould issue, which is why you must have a suitable barrier.
Our experts are specialists in designing and installing damp proofing systems to ensure your home is free from damp. If your walls are affected by rising damp, our technicians will use a chemical damp proofing course to provide a continuous and lasting barrier against water ingress. This chemical is injected in a line near the base of the wall that was affected by rising damp. When the chemical cures, it will act as a waterproof barrier to prevent additional water rising past it and up into the interior of your home.
Why You Need Damp Proofing
Damp proofing is essential for extending the life of your property, protecting it from any structural damages. It is particularly important in older buildings, though eventually all properties will succumb to water ingress. This is why it is essential to have an effective damp proofing system in place to extend the time your property will have without any damp and mould issues occurring. It is a lot easier to just have to prevent damp than have an issue and have to remove and replace property and plaster damage.
Damp Proofing Yorkshire
At Allerton Damp, we offer damp proofing in various cities in Yorkshire. If you suspect any damp issue in your home, we offer a completely free and honest damp survey to get to the bottom of the problem. This will help us to ensure we fix the issue in the best and most suitable way possible. For more information on our services, get in touch with us today.
