What is damp proofing?

Damp proofing (or DPC) is a protective sistem to ensure moisture cannot pass through the walls of a building. Damp proofing places a barrier in the wall which prevents  dampness to travel in to the building.

Types of damp found in residential and commercial properties are :

1 Rising damp - This is one of the most common problems  If a building  never  had a damp proof course fitted , it has become damaged,  or the exterior ground level is raised, it will be susceptible to rising damp . 

This happens when water travels by capillary action from ground up into the building  causing wet patches and mould to appear on the walls up to 1 metre high , rot to the wood work .(skirts ,joists ect) ,heat los and a range of health issues  . Common ways of identifying rising damp : wallpaper peeling of the walls, damp patches, mould, stains, rotting or decaying skirting boards.

If rising damp is diagnosed ADI can install a Damp proof course witch is a new chemical designed to be injected in to the mortar base or in to the brick to create a waterproof barrier to prevent the water from travelling up in to the wall .

Once the new Damp proof course its been installed the old plaster will have to be removed to the brick usually up to 1 metre high then brought back to the original state using new materials ( dry wall ,plaster ) 

2 Penetration damp : In this case water travels in to the building by penetrating thru the brick walls , roof , chimney stacks, gutters over flow ,flashing, windows ect. In order to solve this problem we will have to do a proper inspection of the building to pin point the area where water is penetrating thru and repair it .     

If not properly repaired this can causes excessive damage to the plaster causing wet patches , mould to appear on the walls and rot the wood work . Common ways of identifying  penetration  damp : wallpaper peeling of the walls, damp patches, mould, stains, rotting or decaying skirting boards ,wet patches on the ceiling or chimney breast .

After the problem from the outside has been solved , depending on how long you had the problem for ,the plaster work inside the house has to be replaced ,repaired or at least cleaned with a chemical called mould killer . sometimes a dehumidifier    have to be placed in the rooms affected to speed up the drying process .

3 Condensation  damp: Condensation appears when water vapour comes in contact with a could surface , condenses and  becomes water drops when it hits a water proof surface(glass,pvc,tiles) but becomes damp  on normal plastered walls . water vapour forms when carry out daily activities in the house from breathing to having a bath or cooking.

To fix this problem   the house has to be fitted with fan vents in bathrooms an kitchen and air vents in the rooms . dehumidifiers may have to be fitted in rooms provisionally to draw al humidity out of the walls before fitting the vents .

In order to avoid condensation we have to ensure that air vents are fitted to help air circulation .