Rising Damp

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Rising Damp Yorkshire

Rising Damp is the gradual entry of water into a property by capillary action. In any circumstance where masonry meets the ground, it will come into contact with groundwater and rainwater, which it will absorb due to its porous nature. As the damp is absorbed by the masonry, it will rise by capillary action to a height of up to around 1.5m, unless it is prevented from rising by a damp proofing barrier; this is why an effective rising damp treatment course is essential.

Rising damp causes problems in properties if it is allowed to rise unchecked. Damp will absorb upwards through the external brickwork and eventually penetrate the wall, leaving internal plasterwork damp and spoiled. Where decoration such as paint or wallpaper have been applied to walls, this will flake or come away from the wall as a result of the wall becoming wet. In addition, rising damp presents a risk to any timber which it comes into contact with, such as timber flooring, skirting boards and architraves, see our pages on dry rot and wet rot for further information. The damage caused by timber decay as a result of rising damp can be extensive and expensive. Both rising damp and timber decay are progressive problems, meaning that they may get worse over time. It means that it pays to have a damp proofing expert inspect your home as soon as either one is discovered.

 

Rising damp in Leeds

Rising Damp affects a wall in Leeds, Yorkshire

Rising damp on a wall in Wakefield

Rising damp affects a damp wall in Wakefield

Rising Damp Treatment

Rising damp treatment is the effective way to remove rising damp. This problem can affect all homes, new and old. In older homes, it is common that the lack, or breakdown of, an effective damp proof course is to blame. In new homes, recent building improvements are more commonly the problem. In older homes, a damp proof course may not have been installed when the property was built and, without this, rising damp will inevitably occur. Depending on the construction of a property, one of several solutions to a rising damp problem may be necessary:

Chemical damp proof course

A chemical damp proof course can be a cost-effective way of quickly inserting a new damp proof course into a property which has had no damp proof course or the existing course has broken down. Generally, chemical damp proof courses are more effective in traditional brick-built walls as wall thickness and the material used can play a part in how effective the chemical damp proof course is. In cases where the wall is not of a traditional brick construction, one or more of the other methods mentioned here may be suitable.

Cementitious tanking

Sand and cement rendering can create an effective damp proofing barrier to prevent rising damp making its way onto the internal surfaces of a property’s walls. The mixture of sand and cement for damp proofing in not a typical one; it includes a specialist additive, which together with the sand and cement forms a damp proofing barrier. A cementitious tanking solution can be effective either in conjunction with a chemical damp proof course or as solution where a chemical damp proof course is impractical.

Damp proofing membrane

Damp proofing membranes are a hardened, plastic-like material designed to provide a lasting impenetrable barrier to keep water at bay. Sheets of a damp proofing membrane are installed behind plasterboard, to form a continuous, sealed barrier which is let into the floor and ceiling (if necessary) to prevent water ingress. Damp proofing membranes are commonly used in cellars and basements as they are particularly effective at preventing lateral penetrating damp. One limitation of damp proofing membranes is that fixing points for pictures and other wall-mounted furnishings have to agreed prior to its installation to prevent the membrane being later punctured by a screw or nail. Special fixing points should be accommodated for when installing a membrane so that the room can be used as normal without limiting furnishings or risking a breach of the membrane.

Consequences of Rising Damp

Dry Rot causes the collapse of a timber floor

Rising damp leads to a Dry Rot outbreak in Doncaster

Decayed floor collapses in Wakefield

Rising Damp causes Wet Rot decay in Wakefield

Contact us

Speak to a member of the team now on 0330 111 3377 or press the button below to book your survey

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Our accreditations

Below, you’ll find the logos of the organisations with which we are accredited.  Click on them to find out more information.

The logo of the Property Care Association PCA

We're certified by TrustATrader.com for damp proofing and timber preservation services

The logo of CHAS

The logo of Constructionline, a UK Giovernment Certification Scheme

Trustmark logo, a UK Government Scheme

SALT DEPOSITS

Salt Contamination

When rising damp is allowed to make its way onto internal wall plaster, it will deposit salts which are carried upwards from the ground with the damp. As damp continues to rise into a wall, it carries more and more salt with it and, as the damp evaporates, it deposits the salt, causing a gradual build up. When these salts are deposited on walls, this presents a further problem which has to be addressed in addition to the Rising Damp. Salts such as these are hygroscopic meaning that they will attract and hold any moisture from the internal air of a property which they come into contact with. The effect of this is that, even though the cause of the Rising Damp may have been cured, the wall on which the salts sit may still appear damp.

In cases where salts are present on internal wall plaster, the most suitable remedy is to remove and dispose of the plaster, replacing it with a suitable decorative plaster. Rising damp treatment will always consider salt deposits.

FAQs

“How can I tell whether I have Rising Damp?”

ANSWER: Rising Damp is often misdiagnosed by homeowners and some lesser-experienced professionals, and is often confused with condensation. In a worst-case, but somewhat common scenario, condensation will be mistaken for rising damp and the wrong remedy will be carried out for the problem, wasting time and money. Our surveyors have advance surveying equipment and are highly-experienced in the diagnosis of rising damp. To be sure that you always get a proper diagnosis for rising damp treatment, contact an expert for a survey today.

“Is Rising Damp dangerous?”

ANSWER: Rising damp itself is not dangerous, but the problems it can lead to do present a hazard to health. Dry rot and wet rot fungus can form on timber flooring and other structural timbers as a result of rising damp, which will lead to a deterioration of the strength of the timber. In time, this can cause the complete collapse and breakage of the timber, which can be highly dangerous. Consequently, we recommend having any rising damp issue checked by a suitably qualified expert so you can receive tailored rising damp treatment.

COVID-19 Update

Please note that, as a provider of essential services, we are still open for business, with some restrictions. As a new or existing customer, you can continue to call us to discuss new or existing projects.

Please note that we have had to restrict our work in occupied homes considerably, due to the risk that this might pose to our customers and workforce. However, our work in empty homes and properties continues largely as normal.

If you would like to speak to a member of our team about anything to do with our work during the COVID-19 crisis, please contact us, as normal, using any of the contact details on this site.