Rising damp is something that no homeowner or potential buyer for a property wants to see. Not only that it’s bothersome, but it’s also an expensive problem to deal with.
In general, houses in Britain built after 1875 have protective damp-proof courses, but older buildings tend to lack these protective barriers.
No matter how old your house is, if you do notice a rising damp, it’s crucial that you consult an expert immediately. This problem can lead to structural damage to masonry and timber, superficial damage to internal walls, and mold which can adversely affect the health of your entire family.
That’s why you should try to treat this type of damp ASAP. Here are some of the best ways to deal with rising damp, prevent costly damage and impaired health and damp proof your home effectively
How to Deal with Rising Damp
There’s no quick solution to rising damp, but there are some things you can do to handle it effectively:
1.Check If Your House Have Damp-Proof Course
This is the first thing to do when dealing with rising damp. A damp-proof membrane and damp-proof course don’t allow the water from the ground to soak into floors or ground-level walls.
Check if there’s a thin strip close to the base of the external wall. You’ll need help from an expert to determine if there are a damp-proof course and membrane.
If there is a protective barrier but you’re still having a rising damp, it’s not working effectively due to damage or wear and tear. In that case, you should have it replaced or repaired.
An expert will know how to identify the cause of your rising damp and treat it accordingly.
2.Insert or Repair a Damp-Proof Course
Once a damp specialist confirms that your damp-proof is damaged or missing, they will inject damp-proof cream into the wall which should function as a new course. In order to inject the chemical cream, they drill holes in the wall.
Other ways to install a damp-proof course include cutting grooves into the brickwork. However, this method is more invasive, so you may not succeed in hiding it effectively.
3.Replace or Repair a Damp-Proof Membrane
If there’s a small damp patch on your floor, you may try fixing it by applying paint over it to prevent more water from penetrating.
Get some bitumen latex waterproof emulsion and apply two coatings underneath the floor covering. You can also put reflective foil building paper on the floor before the paint dries out.
If you’re dealing with a major rising damp problem, you shouldn’t try to fix your damp-proof membrane but replace it. Even though this solution can be expensive, it’s necessary if nothing else works.
4.Dig Away Excess Soil on the Exterior Part of the Affected Wall
If your damp-proof course is in good condition, your damp issue could be caused by soil that has built up above the protective barrier. That’s about 15 cm above the ground.
If that’s the cause of your damp problem, dig away excess soil on the outer side of the affected wall to below the damp-proof course. If you can’t do this by yourself, ask for professional help.
5.Seal Floors and Walls
To protect your walls or floors from moisture, seal them by coating them in asphalt or a membrane. This process is called tanking. Tank your floor under the concrete and your walls underneath the plaster.
This is a complex and costly job that requires a professional help.
6.Remove Debris Trapped in Internal Wall Cavity
If the dump-proof course is well above the ground level, you may want to check for debris trapped in your internal wall cavity. The debris is a form of conduit which carries water above the protective barrier into your internal wall.
If this is the cause of your damp problem, you should hire a professional to have your bricks removed so that it can remove any debris inside the cavity.
Is There a Long-Term Solution?
The best way to ensure your house doesn’t experience rising damp is to prevent it in the first place with a damp proofing expert. You can also get a specialist to conduct a damp survey to uncover the fundamental issues too.
