What is Rising Damp?
Rising damp is a groundwater penetrating the structures of your home from the basement or ground level up.
That kind of water contains soluble salts that also work their way through the walls and accumulate even as high as 40 inches above the ground. Excess of salts will gather humidity from the air and add cause additional chemical damage.
Rising damp is especially severe in the older buildings where brick- or stonework are porous and the damp proof course is faulty or absent. Damp proof course is a physical, waterproof barrier installed all around your basement and above ground level to prevent Penetrating and Rising Damp.
If Damp proof course breaks, leaks or is absent, your house is essentially standing in the water. Imagine immersing bottom of a paper in liquid. If you leave it for a while the whole paper will become wet. The similar thing happens to the wall because the brick and stone are porous and can suck the humidity from the ground upwards, similarly to paper. Eventually, the groundwater will permeate the walls and start affecting the structures within, enabling growth of moulds and decay of timber.
It is especially dangerous if the level of timber moisture increases enough for germination of Rot and attacks from Woodworm. If ignored, rising damp can lead to serious damages, loss of structural integrity or even a property collapse.
Read more about Dry Rot, Wet Rot and Woodworm to learn how to keep your home safe.
When in doubt, request a survey and our Specialist team will assess your house and advice on methods of dealing with Rising Dampness. We have over 15 years experience in identifying the signs and causes of Damp, as well as Rot and Woodworm infestations.\
What Causes Rising Damp?
Lack of appropriate damp proof course. High level of ground water pressure or humidity due to heavy rains or particularly damp environment. Rising of the house’s ground level above the waterproof barriers and coatings due to some house makeover or garden work (new paths, driveways etc.)
How Do i Identify Rising Ramp?
There are many symptoms or rising damp you can notice yourself
- Wet or discoloured exterior walls may that are humid to touch.
- “Tide marks”, the horizontal discoloured marks. A sign of soluble salts residue rising with the lineof ground water and reaching even up to 1 metre (40 inches) above the ground.
- Bubbling damage to the exterior and sometimes also interior walls
- Plaster, paint or wallpaper changing colour or coming off.
- Damage to the exterior and interior wooden frames and finishings. Wood will become brittle or decayed. If so find out more about the dangers of Dry Rot and seek professional help as soon as possible.
Rising damp is a real problem in humid and rainy areas of Dumfries and Galloway. Which is why we are happy to provide our services to cities of Moffat, Lockerbie, Dumfries, Annan, Castle Douglas, Thornhil, Gretna and Langholm. We’ll even go as far as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle to properly secure your home. Our team of specialists will thoroughly inspect every possible cause of dampness and offer a waterproofing and damp proofing services best suited for your properly. All our works come with up to 30 years guarantee so don’t hesitate to book our free survey now!
How to Treat Rising Damp?
To treat any damp we’ll first find and properly identify the underlying causes. The treatment will dependant on a number of factors such as the thickness of the walls and the structure of the material. We always find the solution best suited for each property. You might be tempted to do certain things yourself but beware that using wrong coatings might turn out more expensive in the long term. For your own safety we always recommend that you consult a specialist before you attempt your own waterproofing. At Fixrot.co.uk we use a range of contemporary Rising Damp Treatments including mortar injections and pressure grouting. We also instal damp proof course and draining membranes. We have over 15 years of experience in damp- and waterproofing properties in South Scotland and Northern England, including Glasgow, Carlisle, Edinburgh and cities of Dumfries and Galloway region
Our Rising Damp Treatment consist of
01Mortar injections
The rising damp may often penetrate through mortar layers between the bricks or stonework. If this is the most likely cause of your rising dampness we inject the mortar joints directly with the waterproof sealants.
02Injection grouting
Another way is to inject the mortar joints, bricks and stone at the bottom of the wall where the groundwater enters the building. The injected agent is then carried with the rising damp and secures the exact route the water would take. Finally, it accumulates and crystallises in the fragile areas turning into waterproof impermeable barrier.
03Installing Damp proof course and Damp proof membranes
If possible we dig into the ground and install a waterproof course or membrane which will run the width and length of your wall and seal the building from penetrating and rising dampness.
04Waterproof coating and fillings
We use a variety of cement, polymer and resin based coatings and sealants, to cover the exterior and interior walls with water- and damp proof films.
05Cavity Drain Membrane systems
We also install draining systems that redirect water away from the walls.
06Waterproofing your basement.
Often the best way to fight rising dampness is to secure your basement. Check out our page about Basement Tanking to learn more. Or request our free survey to find out how to deal with excess of moisture on your property.