What Is The Best Way To Treat Rising Damp?
Rising damp is an issue that’s caused by moisture underneath rising through the internal walls. It is a common problem in many parts of South Africa, especially with older buildings made from materials like wood or brick. If left untreated, the situation can worsen very soon, spreading to the ceilings and walls, exposing the structure to wood rot, mold, and various structural issues.
It is often a property with a damaged, damp-proof course that can become a victim of rising damp. Fortunately, it is an issue that can be addressed, which should ideally be sooner than later.
In this article, we’ll run through the easiest way to treat rising damp.
Start With A Rising Damp Survey
The first step is to identify if you are dealing with rising damp before any repairs can be undertaken. You need to make sure that the damp walls in your home result from rising damp, not some other issue. Doing this will require hiring a professional to examine the home or area.
An experienced professional will carry out a detailed survey of the area to find the most appropriate method of addressing the issue. The report will consequently provide you with the extent of the issue, along with an itemized bill to repair the problem.
You need to keep in mind that what it costs to repair rising damp may vary depending on who you choose to do it for you and their experience. Also, the quality of materials and the reputation of the system used may impact the cost.
Installing a Damp Proof Course
Depending on how thick the walls are of your home, holes may need to be drilled through the brick to a certain depth and at the right spacing.
The cream is a low odor silicone damp-proof course that will work to restrict the movement of any additional water through the wall. In other words, it blocks more water from getting into the falls and then making its way to the roof.
Re-Plastering After Treatment
Now before you can inject any of the damp-proof creams into the walls, the technician needs to strip back the affected area so that all the salts and contaminated plaster are removed.
After the solutions have dried, the walls are replastered using a special salt-proof plaster, along with some skim plaster on it. The walls are then re-decorated, which then makes the damp proof course invisible
Treatment of Rising Damp On A Structure’s Internal Walls
The exterior of the structure can also show signs of rising damp. Usually, these are problems caused by higher ground levels, in which case the excess soil can be removed until it is below the damp-proof course. It can solve the problem if a raised flower bed perhaps causes it.
However, if a permanent fixture has bridged the damp proof course, you will need to use a damp proofing solution that is adapted to your property. An rising damp specialist can make the recommendation based on what is causing the issue.
Preventing Future Rising Damp on Your Property
As you might imagine treating rising damp isn’t cheap, which is why you don’t want to have to deal with it again. That’s why after the DPC has been installed and you’ve replastered the brickwork with a mortar that is breathable, allows water vapor to escape and arrests the effervescent salts trapped in the wall. If this is not done, the whole treatment could be in vain. In South Africa we have come across many sytems that were ill advised or incorrectly installed. This causes a larger issue for the industry giving the industry a bad name and leaving the clietn out of pocket. Get there right advice the first time.
Hire the services of a professional rising damp installer. It will save plenty of heartache and money.
