3 Reasons
Why Damp Proofing Is Necessary
Waterproofing your home is the ideal thing to do, homes that aren’t damp proof would run into lots of troubles further down the line causing them a fortune to fix.
The experts at Diligent Developments have the skills to help put up one at an affordable rate.
Here they share some tips on damp proofing.
3 practical reasons why damp proofing is necessary
Damp proofing is a way to prevent wetness caused by water seeping up into walls from the ground up, condensation inside the damp walls, floors, or ceilings due to poor ventilation or from living in a wet climate.
Protecting your home from water damage is important. Waterproofing your home is the ideal thing to do, since homes that aren’t resistant to water could run into lots of troubles further down the line. Left untreated, the results could be quite expensive.
Damp proofing walls is a protective measure that is applied to walls to resist water.
Following are three reasons why damp proofing is necessary along with an explanation of the two main types of water build up that causes damage to homes and what is the best way to solve water problems to keep your house dry.
Two main types of water build up
There are two main types of water build up in walls:
- rising damp
- condensation
Rising damp comes up from the ground and seeps into the walls and usually brings a salty residue with it.
Whereas, condensation occurs often from inside water sources usually used daily with showering, cooking, laundering, or from extreme temperature changes.
Air molecules are larger when they are warmer, so they hold more moisture when warm. When the air cools, these molecules begin to become smaller and are unable to hold the same amount of moisture, so the excess moisture drops onto nearby surfaces which looks like wetness or black spots of mould.
Keep your family healthy
Keep your home mould and mildew free
Mould, mildew, and bacteria growth in wet, damp walls, floors, or ceilings are definite triggers for people suffering from asthma, bronchitis, or other lung and breathing issues.
Damp proofing ensures that your walls resist this moisture hazard so that your family can stay safe and healthy, breathing freely. When condensation builds up inside your walls, or water is allowed to sit without sufficient ventilation, mildew and bacteria begin to grow. Damp proofing can help eliminate this problem.
Adverse health effects caused by dampness
Adverse health effects from moisture build up include upper respiratory problems of the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, asthma symptoms, shortness of breath, lower respiratory illness, fungal and other infections especially in those with compromised immune systems.
What does mould look like?
Mould will appear usually as small black splotches, and if there is water damage from a leak, it will most likely leave a ring-like spot on the wall or ceiling. When mould is present, you will need to first address and contain the mould spores by washing the area with a bleach or an anti-fungal solution. You would be wise to also fix any apparent leak that allowed the water in. This could be coming from a pipe, the roof, or a leaky gutter.
Keep your home dry to protect the construction
Strong, solid walls keep your home safe
Damp proofing not only prevents damaging wetness and moisture from seeping in through the walls but will also help to rid your building of residual moisture. Not only does this protect your paint, plaster, flooring, ceiling, and furnishings, but it will keep your home’s structure strong as well.
In the structure, damp proofing will stop moisture from reaching the wood and timbers of the construction which helps to prevent dry and wet rot.
Structural and interior problems caused by prolonged dampness exposure
Prolonged dampness in the building structure can lead to mould and bacteria accumulating in HVAC systems and other building materials, wood decay, and an insect infestation. It can also cause metal components in the home, such as fasteners, coils, wiring, or metal roofing to corrode.
Additionally, water-soluble building materials such as gypsum board can deteriorate, and wood begin to swell or rot. Paint or wall finishings as well as flooring adhesives may fail. Bricks and concrete surfaces absorb water like a sponge if not properly protected, and insulation may be reduced if it becomes soggy.
Protect your belongings, and use all of your living space
Keep your furnishings dry
Not only can dampness and mould build up in corners of your closets or bathrooms where the air is continuously moistened and not allowed to properly vent, but a main culprit for wetness is in the basement and is usually addressed through basement tanking.
If you have wet walls or damp basements, you will not be able to adequately use this space to store anything or to finish off for additional livable room space within your home.
Damp proofing any surfaces below ground or those that are often exposed to wetness, such as in bathrooms or shower and tub areas, is a great way to get maximum use out of your entire home without fear of items becoming ruined from water and mildew.
How is damp proofing done?
Methods of keeping your home dry
Of course, the ideal way to damp proof is to ensure your home is properly sealed with water tanking from the very beginning, during the construction efforts. However, not every home was built with this much care, especially if you live in an older structure.
Sometimes, even if proper construction steps are taken to ensure water does not get into your home, some homes are located along waterways or become flooded due to a plumbing mishap, a sump pump failure, sewage drainage systems backing up, or heavy rains in the area that cause flooding.
Waterproofing is a must for new construction. However, even though it is necessary, sometimes moisture collects below the surface of the ground an is absorbed into the foundation materials.
During construction, there is usually a preventative damp proof course put into place where a plastic damp proof membrane or slate barrier is installed into the base of the walls. If this process is not done correctly, or if it somehow becomes penetrated and fails, water will begin to absorb up into the wall, even through bricks, with the walls absorbing it like a sponge.
Chemical damp proofing walls
Chemical damp proofing strips the old plaster, and then holes are drilled at the base of each level before a special waterproof chemical injection fills the holes with a water proof substance.
The holes are then sealed off with a special salt retardant render before another layer of plaster is adhered to the wall. It is the most cost effective, fastest, and simplest way to get rid of dampness in your home. It is also relatively odour free and allows you to paint or finish off your walls as desired once it is complete.
Preventing and tackling inside dampness caused by condensation
To tackle dampness and condensation from building up inside, make sure rooms in your home that are exposed to water from showers, tubs, sinks, laundry, or cooking are properly vented.
Also, leave ample amount of space between the walls and furnishings or clothing stored in closets.
Preventing and tackling rising damp issues
Dampness does not always come from an external source, which these water barriers are designed to protect against. When this water is pulled up naturally from the earth into the floors and walls, it is called rising damp.
It usually is accompanied with a salty white deposit. Rising damp is best prevented during the construction process by inserting a horizontal waterproof damp proof course DPC into the walls along the bottom of the walls and then placing a vertical damp proof course DPC between the walls as a barrier. For existing structures, chemical damp proofing is usually the way to go.
Call in a damp specialist to get the job done right
In addition to waterproofing measures, dampness requires its own special damp treatment.
Preventing water and condensation allows your home to stay dry. The use of a barrier, whether through chemical injections or otherwise, is sometimes called damp proof course DPC.
The purpose of damp proofing walls is for it to act as a long-term prevention method to tackle damaging moisture which causes decay and health issues for those living with it.
Contact us for more useful information on building related designs and products for your home using one of our social links below.
Alternatively visit our social media sites
