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Rising damp is a destructive phenomenon in buildings. It is linked to moisture from the ground sipping into the brickwork, resulting in wall issues. Interestingly, there are treatments for rising damp.
At proPERLA®, our professional applicator network provides customers with quality, reputable applicators near them in the UK, Spain, Portugal. Contact us if you need a specialist to survey your home and provide you with a free quotation.
Rising damp is a type of damp that occurs as a result of moisture from the ground. Due to the porous nature of masonry, it is easy for moisture to crawl into the wall. Since ground moisture contains salt that hastens the destruction effect of rising damp, rising damp results in different damagers, such as deteriorated paintwork, plasterwork, and even wallpapers.
At Properla, our applicators are always available to inspect your property and proffer the best solution to the issue.
The most common solution to rising damp is installing a damp proof course. However, while you are faced with two options, our applicators will suggest installing injection damp-proof cream.
Reasons for rising damp
Again, rising damp results from ground moisture entering the wall. Since the water comes from the ground, the parts of the wall closer to the ground are more vulnerable to this damp.
For example, rising damp is common in points where the floor and the walls meet, basements, and wall parts below the water level. You can also find rising damp in walls near water accumulation and walls near flower boxes.
However, it is worth distinguishing rising damp from seepage issues, which are also related to water issues. While moisture responsible for rising damp comes from the ground, seepage issues result from water leakage from a pipe or water entering through faulty construction elements.
While the signs might look the same, distinguishing between the two gives you a lead not only in treating the effect but also in blocking the cause.
This image illustrates the causes of rising damp.
A failed damp proof course is a major culprit behind rising damp. Though some older buildings don’t have this measure at all or the course is old, some newer buildings suffer failed damp proofing course due to improper installation. This necessitates the need to hire a professional damp-proof installer.
At Properla, our applicators are vetted and are qualified to install damp-proof courses in different areas.
What is rising damp treatment?
Again, the best treatment for rising damp is to invest in an injection damp proofing course, whether you don’t have one already or the existing one has failed. Treating a rising-damp-affected area helps create a horizontal protective barrier that blocks water passage into the wall.
The treatment involves drilling several holes into the wall at the ground level and injecting an injection damp-proofing cream into the wall through the holes. The injected course will prevent water from rising above the ground level where the injection is made.
This video explains how rising damp treatment works.
Two options are available for treating rising damp. The old method is to chop the wall and install a damp-proofing membrane in it. However, this method has been linked to different issues. While the method takes a long process, it also has negative impacts on the structural integrity of the wall, especially in old buildings.
Our applicators carry out the job by first inspecting the wall to know the extent of the damage and the best approach. They start the job properly by drilling holes into the wall and injecting the damp-proof cream into it through the holes. They plaster the holes with water repellent mortar and give it a final finishing by painting with our proPERLA water repellent paint, adding to the wall’s barrier against moisture.
The preferred solution, is the injection method, and this is what our applicators usually recommend. The injections are a valid solutions for fix rising damp on internal walls and external walls.
The cost of rising damp treatment depends on different factors. While the wall size has a say on the cost of the treatment, the proximity of the site also contributes to the total cost of treating rising damp. Hence, the only way to establish how much to budget for treating the issue is to invite a specialist for an inspection. Our specialists are available to visit your property and give you a quote on how much it will cost you to treat rising damp in the UK, Portugal, or Spain.
All approved applicators have undertaken specialised training by ProPERLA in order to fully understand the highly technical properties of the exterior coatings and the correct procedures for pre-application and application.
By choosing an approved applicator, you are ensuring optimum performance of the ProPERLA exterior coating and the manufacturer’s guarantee is safeguarded.
We are continually expanding and improving our applicator network, if you do not see your area on the list, please do not hesitate to contact us.
It is best to treat rising damp immediately after its signs are sighted. If left unattended to, rising damp can result in expensive damage to the property. This will ultimately result in spending more money on repairing damages than you would spend on damp-proofing.
Structural damages caused by rising damp include internal and external wall deterioration, such as peeling and cracking of the painting and plaster works. Plus, damp fosters mould growth, resulting in health-related problems to occupants.
The right answer is a resounding YES. However, while rising damp treatment works, the effectiveness depends on the professionalism of your contractor. How professional your contractor is at treating rising damp will determine how long the new measure lasts. Hence, you want to invest in a reputable, quality specialist from Properla’s network of applicators.
The most effective means of treating rising damp is to install an injection damp proof cream into the bed joint of the affected walls. However, this is not a DIY job but rather requires the service of a professional specialist.
Rising damp can be a cause of a headache to property owners with its costly adverse effects on the structural integrity of the building, especially when left untreated for a long period. With this, property owners need to pay attention to their property and decode the signs of rising damp to invest in treatment immediately.
Treating rising damp immediately it is noticed helps stop it and prevents future occurrence.
When you contact us at proPERLA®, our network of applicators will match you to a specialist who will visit and inspect your walls and discuss with you the best approach to treating them. Our applicators are available in the UK, Spain, Portugal, and France.
