Treating Rising Damp in Old Buildings

When it comes to treating damp in old buildings (officially, those built pre-1919), there is an animated discussion when it comes to the most advisable course of action. When you seek out a rising damp quote for a listed property, our team of experts will carry out a full survey before recommending the best treatment.

It is common for new buildings to suffer from a build-up of mould as moisture is not well ventilated. In older properties, the materials used to build walls, such as stone, are described as ‘breathable’. This means that moisture could easily pass through walls.

Modern Waterproofing

Many argue that the way that listed buildings were built is better in terms of keeping a home damp free, however, none of these buildings were erected with modern waterproofing techniques in mind. This means that such properties either use outdated methods to create damp-proof courses (DPC), such as slate, bitumen, jute and hessian or have none whatsoever.

In the modern day, DPCs are usually either plastic membranes or chemical injections into the walls, which prohibits damp from rising. These may require replacing over time due to natural wear and tear or as a result of extensions to the home such as an adjoining wall.

How to Identify Rising Damp

Rising damp is relatively simple to identify, even if you are not an expert in the field. The most common sign of rising damp is moss forming on walls on the outside of the building as a result of moisture in the walls.

There may also be damage to plaster on internal walls which may crack or break away as a result of the moisture. In these cases, you will do well to inspect the bottom of the walls – when there is rising damp, you should be able to visibly see and feel dampness.

Free Survey and Rising Damp Quote

Whether you are certain that your home is suffering from rising damp or are seeking an expert opinion, the Garratt’s Damp team offers free surveys with rising damp quotes. With over 12 years of experience in the field, our team will inspect the building, diagnose the root cause and advise on the best course of treatment.

Treatments for rising damp include:

• A chemical DPC injection
• Replacement of rotting joists or internal flooring which has come into contact with damp
• Removing and replacing damaged interior plaster
• Bridged DPC – requiring the removal of bridging materials or soil to enable a minimum of 150mm clearance below the DPC

To request a rising damp quote and a free survey, please call our team on 0208 535 7536 today.