What Causes Damp?

There are a number of different reasons why you’re experiencing damp related issues in your house. The most common are:

• Rising Damp
• Penetrative damp
• Condensation damp 

A CavClear Damp Survey allows us to identify the type of damp within your property and recommend the required works to stop damp for good!

Understanding Damp

It’s important we understand which type of damp is affecting your property.

Condensation related damp occurs when cold air comes into contact with a colder surface such as a wall. Over time these damp areas will undoubtedly form patches of mould. Mould will form anywhere the air is still typically in corners of rooms or behind furniture.

Problems can escalate if there is a lack of ventilation in the affected rooms. This can be apparent in older homes where the walls were made to be naturally breathable allowing moist air to evaporate from the house.

Signs Of Damp

Condensation Damp

• Water drops on the wall
• Mould forming on walls
• Mould sitting behind furniture
• An unpleasant earthy smell

Rising Damp

Rising damp is another common problem. This can be confused with condensation. Rising damp is caused by water moving up through the walls. Normally, this doesn’t cause any issues as most houses will be protected by a damp proof course.

If left untreated rising damp will undoubtedly cause issues to the properties internal structure as well as causing potential health-related problems.

What are the signs of rising damp?

 

• Damage to plasterboard and skirting boards
• Rising tide marks up the wall
• Floor covering starting to lift
• Peeling paint and wallpaper

THE DAMP PROOFING PROCESS

1. The old and defected damp plaster is knocked off at the height of approximately 1.2m, depending on if rising damp has not gone above this level. 

2. Damp Proofing Cream is injected into drilled holes; the cream spreads out through the capillaries to create a barrier that prevents further damp from rising.

3. Damp proof membrane is plugged into the brick, along the affected area. This will prevent any damp coming through to internal walls providing a longer lasting damp proof system.

4. Plasterboard is then dot and dab fixed onto the plastic membrane and left to harden. You can read more about plastering and what our service involves here.

5. All joints/gaps are filled to ensure the area is then ready to be skimmed with the finishing plaster, which is the final step.