Whether you have a damp wall in your home or office, there are many ways you can treat it. Some of these include: replacing hard cement render or pointing with a lime-based mortar, caulking the walls, repairing the cavity work, applying a damp-proofing cream, or using damp-proofing rods. claim compensation for housing disrepair against your landlord.

Dryzone Damp-Proofing Cream

Using Dryzone, you can prevent dampness rising up your walls. It’s a patented high-performance silicone-based cream, which is injected into holes drilled in your mortar course. Once cured, it forms a breathable water-repellent barrier that stops dampness from rising up your wall.

Dryzone is a non-caustic, low-toxicity formula that has been formulated with environmental considerations in mind. It is also solvent-free, which means that it requires minimal disruption to occupiers. Unlike other rising damp treatments, Dryzone is fast and effective. It can be installed in under a day and is a cost-effective method for preventing rising damp.

Traditionally, rising damp treatments have been expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, properties have been built without a damp-proof course. This can lead to salts from groundwater being absorbed into the plaster. These salts can contaminate the plaster and cause future staining.

Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods

Using Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods for treating damp walls internally can help to prevent moisture and salt damage to your property. They are a quick, easy and effective way to protect your walls against rising damp.

Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods have been specially designed to form an effective DPC (Damp Proof Course) in walls of all types. These rods contain active ingredients that cure to form a water-repellent barrier in the wall.

The active ingredient spreads along the mortar course and creates the best barrier against rising damp. It also minimises moisture in the wall and reduces heat loss.

Dryrod Damp-Proofing rods are odour-free and solvent-free. They are non-flammable and are fast and easy to install. These rods contain a powerful water-repellent material that is effective against dampness and moisture for up to 20 years after installation.

Cavity work

Whether you live in a modern home or a period property, cavity work for damp walls internally can be a worthwhile investment. The cost of this service varies widely and depends on many factors. It is often worth conducting a survey before any work is carried out.

Firstly, it is important to consider the size of the cavity. This can range from a few centimetres to about an inch. This size is usually sufficient to stop moisture from entering the interior.

It is also important to check the condition of the cavity. This may include the presence of debris. It is often the case that brickies drop sand and mortar into the cavity during construction.

Another thing to consider is the type of insulation used. Polystyrene beads are a popular choice. They are much more effective at keeping heat in than expanding foam.

Replacing hard cement render or pointing with a more suitable lime-based mortar

Using a lime-based mortar to replace hard cement render or pointing is an effective way of reducing moisture levels in masonry walls. Lime mortar is flexible and self-healing, which means that small cracks will close on their own. It also increases the permeability of joints and walls, so that moisture can evaporate more easily.

However, it’s important to get the mix right. Ensure that the new mortar is softer than the original. You should also avoid creating an impermeable barrier between the two. This can obstruct vapor exchange and may prevent the curing process.

Depending on the size of the joint and the prevailing wind, you may need to use hydraulic lime. Hydraulic limes react with water, forming constituents that bind together to form calcite crystals. The crystals can then span crack cavities.

Scientific analysis

Having a damp problem is not only unpleasant and unsightly, but it can also affect the structural integrity of the building. It reduces the lifespan of the building materials and can also increase the energy costs.

There are two main sources of water in a building. One is surface waters, which come from the ground and the other is rainwater. The difference in these two sources of moisture is the reason for the increased incidence of dampness.

It is important to identify the causes of dampness before treating the issue. This can be achieved through a survey. A qualified surveyor will be able to provide advice on the most effective treatments.

There are many different approaches to treat dampness in existing buildings. The most common methods are penetrating damp treatment and chemical damp proof courses (DPCs).

The former method involves injecting a special type of DPC into the wall. The active ingredients are silane/siloxane, which line the pores of the mortar. The cream can leak through holes, making it difficult to determine whether the treatment was successful.