Damp proofing is the process by which damp is prevented from being ingested through the walls and floors of a building. It is possible for any property to suffer from damp issues, and older buildings that may not have been built with a damp-proof membrane are particularly vulnerable.

Damp Proof Membrane and Damp Proof Course are two types of damp proofing strategies for residential and commercial properties.

To prevent dampness from developing in a building, a damp proofing treatment is known as a damp proof course. There are a number of ways to repair damp-proof courses and it is a permanent method of preventing dampness from entering buildings. Your property may risk structural deterioration if excessive humidity builds up within a building.

The use of a damp proof membrane is another method for rising damp prevention rising damp from developing within a property. As a durable screen that prevents damp from entering a property, damp-proof membranes are typically manufactured from polyethene or butyl rubber.

Buildings that accumulate excess dampness may develop damp walls, which may lead to a wide variety of problems over time. As soon as you see signs of damp in your home or property, we strongly recommend that you act immediately to resolve the issue. The presence of damp on interior walls can be unattractive and harmful and can cause wood deterioration, which can negatively affect the structural integrity of your building.

These are some signs that you may have a damp problem:

• Peeling paint
• Brown stains or salt staining
• Wooden floors and skirting boards that are deteriorating
• Crumbling plaster

If damp is a recurring problem in your home, it is advisable to contact a damp-proofing specialist such as HydroStop and have the issue evaluated, rather than waiting for the problem to become more severe.

What Causes Damp?

Condensation

Condensation-induced damp is not difficult to detect and is usually easily fixed by a professional. This type of damp is usually the result of inadequate ventilation and can appear as mould in a kitchen or bathroom. Some restorative work, such as replastering or re-decorating, may be necessary, but eliminating the cause is often sufficient to resolve the issue.

Penetrating Damp

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to this problem, ranging from a leaking roof or damaged pipe to a blocked drain pipe or the level of the ground outside your property. If the cause of damp has been eliminated, dampproofing may be necessary to prevent the issue from occurring again in some cases.

Rising Damp

There are a number of causes for this problem, including a faulty, broken or nonexistent damp-proof course, dripping pipes at the base of the wall, or former damp conditions that resulted in water collecting at the wall’s base. You will need to restore your damp proof course in case of rising damp.

Get in touch with the team at HydroStop today if you would like more information about damp proofing in Pretoria or to request a quote.