FAQS

A WTA Approved high-strength Damp Proof Cream will work. The WTA is a Scientific-Technical Work Group for the Preservation of Buildings and Monuments whose responsibility includes ensuring that products are compliant with their code of practice and to independently and rigorously test these products. When the WTA Testing Committee passes the test on effectiveness on products, you can be sure that they work. If professionals do the job for you, then you’ll get a guarantee on installation. There are no guarantees on installation when you inject your own damp proof course.

The damp-proof paint works on the Glass Microsphere Technology which helps in controlling damp. It prevents condensation and the forming of black mould.

Damp can be of various types and the degree of damage also varies, making it difficult to fix a price for its treatment. If you are able to identify the type of damp and the extent of damage, then an approximate price can be provided for repairing the damp, but again, subject to a damp survey. You may attempt to ascertain the type of damp issue by accessing the link provided below:

Anti-condensation paint is available at the Southern Damp Proofing Shop at prices starting at £XX.99 for a 5 litre can. An alternative is to buy paint and mix our anti-mould additives to it and use that on the damp walls. Anti-mould additives are cost-effective too and available at £X.99 for a 100ml bottle.

Well, as long as a measuring tape!!

The time taken to conduct a damp survey depends on various factors like property size, instructions provided etc. With all the information provided, it is still difficult for a surveyor to pre-judge the extent of the damage until they see it for themselves.

The good news is that we do not charge our fees based on the time spent to conduct a survey- surveys can last just thirty minutes or even a few hours. We endeavour to the job to the best of our abilities while exercising our duty of care to provide the best service possible.

Damp proofing involves some plastering work which means that the old plaster on the walls needs to be fully removed. This process might create some dust but we ensure it is kept to a minimum by using dust sheets, damping down and dust suppression methods. We try our best to keep the disruption to normal life at a minimum by covering the stairs and cleaning up even as we are working. Yet, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to ask – – our team will address them!

The slate damp proof course is a kind of damp proofing treatment where slate is applied as a barrier in-between layers of bricks. Normally found in old properties, this prevents moisture from rising upward by capillary action.

Damp-proof membranes are waterproof barricades employed beneath concrete floors which effectively prevents dampness.

Damp simply refers to the presence of undesired moisture inside your property. The most common causes of moisture are defective external water outlets or condensation inside the house.

Damp is of three different kinds- Condensation, Rising Damp and Penetrating Damp.

The occurrence of damp can be attributed to various reasons, which include rising damp, moisture penetration via external water sources, and condensation inside the property. Take a look at the main symptoms below which can help you identify if your house is affected by damp.

• Unwanted moisture and damp are the main reasons, which leads to the creation of fungi in wood. This, in turn, results in rot and formation of mould and in severe cases can also result in sick building syndrome.
• The presence of damp can make paint and plaster to deteriorate. The wallpaper too gets loose and appears to peel off in damp spaces.
• Dampness causes stains on the walls and floors. The water stains are caused by drying up of water present in the fabrics or due to contaminants present.

The rising damp and penetrating damp are the most common causes of dampness. More often than not, dampness is caused due to flaws in the building such as damaged roof coverings, defective rainwater gutters, or downpipes.

It is not true that dampness is found only in old buildings. In fact, damp can be present anywhere in the property and is capable of affecting new structures as well. At the first sign of damp, it is essential to carry out a detailed diagnosis to define the type of damp and its main reasons. Damp not only affects the fabric of the property but also the atmosphere inside the property by creating a high comparative humidity which in turn leads to condensation and the growth of mould.

A common observation is that in areas where there is excess damp, the plaster, bricks, and mortar tend to disintegrate. In extreme cases, the plaster or render might just peel off from the affected area.

Wet rot and dry rot are both the consequences of dampness. Wet rot is usually found in wood — furniture, wooden walls and floors etc where there is incessant moisture. This kind of rot does not penetrate the brickwork and tends to stop growing if the moisture dries. The main features of wet rot are soft, spongy and discoloured wood and black fungus formation accompanied by a musty smell.

Dry rot can be found in non-wooden material like bricks or plaster and does not require a lot of moisture. Dry rot is characterised by orange or white growth, disintegrating timber, mushroom-like smell, and deep cracks.

Incidence of Rising damp in a property are usually slim as a building might retain moisture, but not all of it may be rising damp. It is essential that a timely damp survey is done to confirm if the property is suffering from rising damp before any steps are taken for damp treatment.

No single cause can be attributed to the presence of penetrating damp. More often than not, issues with rainwater drainage or a glitch in the walls are found to be the major reasons behind the same. Gaps and holes in the walls can lead rainwater inside as does porous wall material with no cavities. However, some cavities can also be susceptible to penetrating damp if they are filled with debris or various forms of wall insulation. In these cases, only a damp survey can isolate the cause for penetrating damp to work towards treating it. For more information on penetrating damp, please click here.

DPC or damp proof course is the presence of barriers constructed into the external walls of a house which effectively prevents rising damp from entering the internal walls. These are usually bitumen felt strips or horizontal plastic strips and are installed 15cm above the ground level. Building regulations became effective only in 1875, which mandated damp-proof courses. That’s why older buildings may not have them.