Damp Walls: The Causes and the Solutions
A property that is not adequately damp proofed will suffer from many negative issues including mould growth, crumbling plaster and rotting woodwork. Damp proofing (a process that has several effective methods) prevents water ingress, leaving a dry, healthy environment.
Establishing the cause of the dampness is the first step and once it has been correctly identified, Twistfix can supply an apprpriate solution.
Condensation; water vapour turning back to liquid when it meets cold walls and windows.
Penetrating Damp; moisture soaking through external walls to affect internal surfaces.
Rising Damp, groundwater being drawn up the wall via capillarity.
Condensation problems, the most common cause of damp in properties, are quickly fixed by correcting the delicate balance between the generation of moisture and ambient air and surface temperatures. From condensation control fans and home ventilation systems to anti-condensation paint and mould removal kits, Twistfix supply a full complement of effective anti-condensation systems.
Penetrating damp occurs particularly in older buildings where brick is porous, but it also a problem in properties that suffer from leaks, are located below ground or where one or more elevations are subjected to driving rain by a prevailing wind. The damaging problem can be easily avoided by regular maintenance and treatment, including gutter repair to prevent water running down walls and making sure all masonry cracks are filled and walls repointed and waterproofed. Once again, Twistfix supply everything required for solving this damaging problem.
Rising damp, where walls in direct contact with soils saturated by groundwater soak it up via capillary action. This common issue is usually caused by a damaged, inadequate, unprofessionally-installed or even a non-existent damp proof course (DPC). Due to newer properties making use of cement mortars (as opposed to the lime-based mortar found in older properties), older buildings suffer most from rising damp. Various types of DPC systems are available from Twistfix, including injected damp proofing cream, chemical DPCs, waterproofing membrane and electro-osmosis DPC systems.
In many cases dampness can be attributed to more than one source, so Twistfix have come up with an all-cure solution in their Total Waterproofing Kit. The kit comprises BBA accredited damp injection cream to combat rising damp and a waterproofing membrane that forms a barrier between walls affected by penetrating damp and the internal surfaces. Another advantage of the membrane is that when plastered or plaster-boarded the wall is warmer than when plaster is applied directly to brickwork and accordingly the potential for condensation is reduced.
To discover the best solution for your particular property, call Twistfix today on 0845 123 6006 or email.