Using Damp Proof Membranes

Damp Proof Membranes Are A Good Solution

Damp Proofing Solutions

There are a number of of damp proofing products available, and it can be confusing to decide which is the best solution for dealing with damp problems. As a damp specialist I am often asked about which method I recommend. In most cases, I believe damp proof membranes are the best solution as they can be installed on almost any wall surface, and are relatively quick and easy to install. They offer permanent protection and prevent the dampness from returning. They can be applied directly to a damp wall quickly and easily, and allow for ventilation meaning that the damp wall can dry out. There is no need to remove the plaster on the damp wall surface as it is ventilated so can dry out naturally. In addition, there are many providers of meshed damp proof membranes, which means that plaster can be applied directly to them, making installation very fast.

Damp Proof Membranes – How They Work

Damp proof membranes are installed on top of the damp wall and then plaster is applied over the top of the meshed membrane, forming a new wall surface. The space between the membrane and the old wall allows dampness to dry out. The damp proof membrane has an added advantage of acting as an impermeable barrier between the old damp wall surface and the new plastered surface. Damp proof membranes are constructed in a stud formation and work by allowing any moisture to evaporate as the studs create an air gap between the membrane and the damp wall. This technique is known as ‘air gap technology’.

How To Install Damp Proof Membranes

A skilled DIY or builder would be able to install the damp proof membranes to the walls, and all products would come with detailed fixing instructions. However, if in doubt about which damp proof membrane to use, I would always recommend having a consultation with a trained damp specialist about your damp problem as they can advise on the best solution. The additional advantage of using a professional damp proofing company is that they can offer you a guarantee for their work.

About Damp Proof Courses

It is not necessary to install a damp proof course when using damp proof membranes. Failure of damp proof courses is actually a leading cause of damp problems in properties. Many properties older than about a hundred years old were built with no damp proof course installed. The installation of a damp proof membrane negates the need for a damp proof course or other damp injection methods. They are also less likely to result in problems like other diy damp attempts like black jack and waterproofing paint. Damp proof membranes are ideal for treating most damp problems, including condensation damp, penetrating damp and rising damp problems on walls.

Damp Proofing Advice For Cellars And Basements

Below ground use of damp proof membranes – for example in a damp basement or cellar – requires specialist advice as you might not just be dealing with dampness but running water penetrating the external walls due to the pressure of the earth outside. Tanking membranes require careful installation and really should be installed by a professional. For below ground damp problems, a full waterproofing membrane system would be the best solution, to include waterproof membranes, pumping and drainage products.  I would always recommend consulting an expert basement waterproofing company.

Thus for dealing with damp walls above ground, I would always recommend damp proof membrane products as a solution for rising damp, flood damage, penetrating damp and other damp problems

Penetrating Damp – Top Tips & Tricks

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating Damp is common in properties by the sea

Penetrating damp in damp walls is often caused by faults in the building or plumbing work which has allowed water to enter into the structure. Coastal properties can suffer from penetrating damp due to the high levels of driving rain hitting the external brickwork. This penetrating damp results in serious deteriorating affects to the internal finishing like

• damp staining
• salting
• blown plaster
• spoiling
• peeling of the finishes in the internal areas

A watermark might be noticeable on the internal wall and grow if the water continues to enter thus penetrating the damp walls. Penetrating damp is caused by the porous nature of the building which permits external moisture to enter through the external walls which ultimately affects the internal surfaces. The defects in the construction of the building which are the root cause of penetrating damp include defective roof coverings/lead flashings, damaged mortar joints etc. Even when these defects have been cured, the affects of residual moisture within the building can continue to create problems for months and sometimes years. This is the case because a damp wall will take one month for each inch of the wall thickness to dry out after the source of the penetrating damp is removed. Many older buildings have very very thick external walls and thus the affects of penetrating damp will continue over a longer period of time if nothing protective is done. Penetrating damp can also be a problem in damp cellars due to the external soil pushing against the brickwork. In below ground buildings a full damp tanking system would be recommended to treat the damp cellar.

The correct identification of the cause of the damp (rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation damp etc) is important and if it can be cured or removed with a DIY solution then that is great. However, the residual moisture aspect must always be considered to completely remedy the problem.

DIY Damp Remedies

Numerous DIY damp remedies can help you treat penetrating damp. The first thing you should do is check everything in and around the property. Check gutters, downpipes, rendering and window frames for leaks as penetrating damp will get into the property through them.

Look for cracks in the property where water can enter – fill the crack and you could cure the problem!

Blocked drains can also cause penetrating damp and you might find that you can get rid of the blockage and the problem might fix itself. In addition, cracked walls and poorly fitted roof felt can lead to penetrating damp and damp plaster.

Whether the penetrative damp is continuing or because of residual moisture, Damp Proof Membranes offer a quick and permanent solution for treating damp problems. Once they are installed, they provide a permanent separation barrier between the damp walls and internal finishes meaning a dry interior surface and protection is maintained always and the damp walls can dry out – meaning no more damp mould!.

As a damp expert with years of experience, I would recommend a full check for leaks and cracks is made first, and if this does not remedy the problem I would always recommend Damp Proof Membranes as the solution for penetrating damp.

Condensation Damp And Damp Mould – How To Treat Permanently

Condensation Damp – What Is It?

Condensation Damp and Damp Mould clearly present on this wall

Damp walls and damp cellars are affected by Condensation Damp which is basically due to our living style. We do a lot of thing on regular basis which aggravate the moisture content in the air of our building and homes which directly affect the level of condensation damp. An average person expels approximately 5 pints of moisture a night just while sleeping. In addition, cooking, bathing, and showering increase moisture levels in the atmosphere.

Possible Causes Include:

• Lack of natural ventilation
• Constant change in air temperature in a room
• Damp and cold wall surfaces
• Excessive use of radiator to dry clothes

The Science

Air molecules reduce in size when the air cools, and smaller size air molecules will be unable to hold the moisture as compared to large size molecules. The excessive moisture deposits on the surrounding surfaces. It looks like a wet patch and is wet to the touch, often with black spot mould. These cause damage to the internal finishes and the spores of the mould are sometimes visible on the wall plaster.

Condensation damp can also be a health hazard especially to those who already have respiratory health problems

Managing Condensation Damp

A full damp tanking system should be employed to the damp cellar, for below ground condensation damp problems. It is important to put up increased and regular levels of ventilation to alleviate regular air changes within a room, when dealing with above ground condensation damp. Some form of mechanical ventilation or climate control should be introduced, if it is not achieved naturally. In turn some attention must be given to the surfaces where the condensation is occurring particularly if damp mould has been present. Many people have realized that by using standard cleaning products or bleach it could be a futile exercise trying to eliminate penicillium mould as it keeps returning. If the spores of the mould have manifested themselves then the only option might be to remove the wall plaster or apply an impermeable damp proof membrane over the affected area.

Damp Proof Membranes – Application

Condensation damp, staining and mould and penetrating damp can be cured by applying Damp Proof Membranes. The recommended damp

Damp Proof Membranes Can Solve Condensation Damp Problems

proof membranes create an air gap behind the system due to the polyethylene being designed with a stud formation. Damp proof membrane due to its impervious characteristics coupled with the ‘egg box’ stud profile will cure the condensation damp and mould spores.  The damp will no longer be able to affect new finishes, as this would be applied directly to the Damp Proof Membrane. Damp Proof Membranes can be applied by a DIY damp expert, or a professional damp specialist.

The air gap provided by the studs of the membrane is a natural insulator and this means that when applied the membrane serves to gently warm up the surface of the wall and the thermal qualities can help to reduce levels of condensation damp. The damp plaster can then dry out behind the membrane, thus treating damp permanently.
Damp Proof Membrane Systems can be applied following the removal of contaminated wall finishes, or simply directly over the top of them

A contractor who uses Damp Proof Membranes for the prevention and cure of damp comments “ First of all we installed better levels of ventilation – naturally or mechanically. Whenever we treat a wall affected by condensation damp and damp mould, we apply a Damp Proof Membrane to the walls and fix an insulated plasterboard. In this way we substantially reduce the chances of condensation damp re-occurring and get a nice dry and warm wall surface.”

David Sutcliffe is an independent consultant specialising in the diagnosis of damp and condensation damp in all buildings across the construction spectrum from historic and listed buildings to new build, commercial and domestic structures. David has over 30 years of hands on experience in installing damp proof membranes as well as having years of consultancy experience

What Is Rising Damp? 

Damp proofing membranes - the permanent solution for rising damp

The term ‘rising damp’ is used to describe the action of ground moisture rising up a wall by capillary action. Rising damp describes a problem in which dampness symptoms can appear significantly above the ground water line.

When a permanent rising damp treatment is required, damp proofing membranes are an excellent alternative to various other methods like chemical damp proof courses, external water repellents, bituminous paints and coatings etc. when dealing with damp walls.

This is because they are

• easy to install
• need minimum preparation
• are sympathetic to the building structure
• are reversible so can be used where building restrictions are tight

The Damp Proof Course Method

Damp proof course (dpc) is quite a common way of treating damp. There are number of most conservative damp treatment systems are in existence like chemical damp proof courses (DPCs), cementitious and bitumous paint on several coatings and external water repellents.  Drilling and injecting the chemical DPC is an exact science in that the holes have to be drilled to the right diameter, at the right spacing and to the correct depth if the installation it to be effective. When an injected damp proof course is used to treat rising damp where rising damp treatments are needed, part of the process almost always includes hacking off existing plaster which is an extremely disruptive and messy process. With these sorts of damp treatments, the exact gauge of DPC cream or fluid in relation to the thickness of the wall and what it is built from need to be calculated and used to achieve totally effective diffusion into the substrate which is especially tricky in buildings constructed of varied materials or poorly built structures where there are large fishers and voids. 

No guess work is required and the membranes are offered up to the walls, drilled and fixed quickly and cleanly the same way to almost any substrate.

As a damp proof treatment, damp proofing membranes can be applied over most existing wall finishes without the need to remove them. The damp-proofing membranes provide an impervious barrier to protect the internal finishes which require rising damp treatment, without changing the status quo of the wall.

In case if a DPC (damp course treatment) fluid is used, then the active ingredient is mixed with water as the carrier. Hence, you are introducting more fluid into an already damp wall thus making it wetter! If there is any organic material like timber – for example skirting boards or door linings - in contact with the damp wall then it is very risky as the wood rotting fungi like dry or wet rot could germinate and in many cases cause serious decay. Dry rot treatment in particular can be very disruptive and expensive. Damp timber will also promote and harbour wood boring insects more commonly known as woodworm. Infestation by wood boring insects can have a detrimental affect to the timber which may result in the need to completely remove and replace the item or woodworm treatment by a specialist wood worm treatment company may be necessary.

Membrane systems completely isolate the decorative joinery and timber items from any dampness in the walls thus prolonging their longevity.
 
As a rising damp treatment damp proofing membranes are a very good option as they are not subject to human error which often crop up while using other damp proofing methods. These other damp proof courses function effectively only when the ingredients are mixed in correct proportions and a chemical reaction take place at some predetermined level.

What About A Damp Basement?

Damp proofing membrane systems are suitable mostly for above ground applications.This is because they deal with capillary held moisture only. If a running water situation occur,than damp proofing will be a failure.There is risk of hydrostatic water pressure especially in a dam cellar. In such a situation when the earth is pressing against the wall making it damp,damp proofing chemical damp course should not only be considered.This will not conform to British stadard for protection of structures from water from the ground.The alternative solution is the application of waterproofing membrane system design and application. This would comprise a full waterproofing system: damp proofing membranes, pumping and drainage provision.

Damp Proofing Products And Flood Mitigation

Flood Damage – Dealing With The Aftermath & How Damp Proofing Products Can Help

There is another season to add to the calendar in the United Kingdom.   The flood season is upon us and this year it is worse than ever. The last

Flooding Caused Major Problems in the UK in November

few weeks have seen torrential downpours on a scale which has not only fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood defences and caused flood damage to thousands of homes and offices throughout the country.  Experts are telling us that the extended rainfall may be a direct result of global warming but the harsh reality is we are living with the real risk of flood damage to properties whatever the reason.

Proactive flood defence strategy is now being called on to protect vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK.  Various damp proofing products and systems are available to local councils to protect structures from flood damage and in the last few weeks the towns which have implemented flood defence have benefited by giving emergency services time to evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving.   Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some properties have been able to weather the effects of flood by using damp proofing products as flood defence measures to their properties.

Damp proofing products and waterproofing systems can protect the property from flood damage

Technology has moved on from the basic sandbags across the door threshold to items such as flood gates across the door and windows, tailor made caps for air bricks and even external sump pump stations to capture the water prior to coming against the property. Damp injection, diy damp solutions, damp tanking and dpc damp solutions are commonplace. Many properties that have suffered from flood damage previously are now installing damp proofing products, and also basement waterproofing systems to combat the risk of flooding.   Damp proofing products would include damp proofing membranes with dimples. These are fixed to the structure internally creating what is usually a 8mm air gap behind. This simple approach means that if your property has been flood damaged before then your saturated walls can dry out behind the membrane and allow for a permanent finish to be applied (plasterboard or render) usually the same day, getting people back into their homes quicker. This is a good alternative to blasting the property with blow heaters and putting dehumidifiers in every room because flood damaged walls will be drying out over a period of years not weeks and inevitably if you try and paint or replaster any contaminates in the damp walls (salts) will come through and you will have a recurring and annoying problem. The internal membrane installation approach should also take into consideration the ability to remove any water that is to come near the structure. Usually this would involve placing a basedrain gutter internally into the wall/floor junction to channel the water to a sump and pump. Full waterproofing membrane systems are available which deal with water penetrating the property and work by pumping the water out. These would be essential for below ground application, i.e. a damp cellar or damp basement.

Penetrating damp can cause permanent problems, but damp proofing products act as the permanent solution for damp walls, as well as other problems like condensation damp, rising damp and associated side effects such as damp plaster.

Damp proofing products can be installed quickly and efficiently and are a far more cost effective solution than the expense of dealing with flooding problems to the property

The Damp Injection Method

Damp Proofing Membranes can be used on a variety of building substrates

How Does The Damp Injection Technique Work?

 

Damp injection means injecting a chemical damp proofing cream into the mortar bed course. The mortar presents the only continuous passage ascending up a wall through which water is able to rise. Thus the mortar bed joint functions as a damp proofing layer. Introducing a chemical damp proof course (DPC) into just each brick or block unit along a stretch of wall will not stop dampness rising through the joints between.

The damp injection technique is a popular method for working on damp issues, yet that doesn’t really mean it’s the ideal technique.  Damp proofing membranes are another choice for damp injection techniques for damp walls.  They function as a permanent remedial answer for dilemmas like penetrating and rising damp no matter if it’s a cellar or above the ground.  Discoloration and staining, peeling paint, blown plaster, oil and salt contaminants, and others are signals of damp walls and if not treated will keeping making walls damp. 

Damp Proofing Membranes As A Suitable Alternative

Damp Proofing Membranes have been employed for several years as damp injection technique alternative for permanent treatment of these types of issues.  Damp Proofing Membrane systems can be used to treat damp problems such as rising damp the majority of traditional damp proofing techniques like DPCs, damp injection, bitumous and cementitious coating pain and external water repellents.  The reason for this is that membrane systems typically need very little preparing, are fast to setup, and thought to be the most empathetic to the structure, reversible, and may be ventilated, making them especially good for using on historical and conservation projects in addition to refurbishing, renovating, and new builds.  When using a damp coursing or damp injection’s utilised, some of the procedure nearly always incorporates cutting off current plaster that’s a really messy and disruptive process.

The damp injection method is an exact science in that the holes have to be drilled to the right diameter, at the right spacing and to the correct depth if the installation it to be effective. The exact gauge of DPC cream or fluid in relation to the thickness of the wall and what it is built from need to be calculated and use to achieve totally effective diffusion into the substrate which is especially tricky in buildings constructed of varied materials or poorly built structures where there are large fishers and voids. As an alternative to the damp injection method, damp proofing membranes can be applied over most existing wall finishes without the need to remove them. No guess work is required and the membranes are offered up to the walls, drilled and fixed quickly and cleanly the same way to almost any substrate. The membranes, in contrast to the damp injection method, provide an impervious barrier to protect the internal finishes without changing the status quo of the wall. With the damp injection approach, a DPC fluid is used. The active ingredient is then mixed with water as the carrier and so you are effectively introducing more fluid into an already damp wall thus making it wetter! 

Damp Timber

If there is any organic material like timber (skirting boards, door linings, architraves, fixing blocks etc) in contact with the damp wall then there is a risk that wood rotting fungi like dry or wet rot could germinate and in many cases cause serious decay. Damp proofing membrane systems totally exclude timber items in addition to decorative joinery from any wall dampness, therefore, resulting in them lasting longer.  An additional benefit damp proofing membranes have versus injected chemical DPCs in addition to damp injection treatments is that chemical DPCs are nearly always require re-plastering walls at least a height of one point two meters with dense plaster and salt retardant additives in the plaster mixture.  Contracted damp specialists will believe he plastering to be a crucial component of the system as the chemical DPC and thus attaining the correct mixture of salt retardant, sand, and cement is completely critical if it’s going to attain its design feature.  Damp specialists won’t often provide guarantees for work if this work isn’t complete.  Damp proofing membranes take out people mistakes regarding damp proof course application, damp injection techniques, and related re-plastering.  Damp Proofing Membranes don’t rely on accurate combinations, performance, and chemical reaction levels for effectiveness. 

Attempts at trying to treat penetrating dampness using bitumous or cementitious approaches do not work a lot of the times because of inadequate preparation.  These items are only as good as the surface they’re applied to and thus a detailed and really complete surface preparation is necessary before applying them.  This may result in disruptions, taking time, and additional costs.  Their application must be completely free of errors to be efficient and a lot of the times you can’t view defects because of the way the items have been applied and combined.

Below Ground Damp

Damp proofing membrane system are designed to deal with capillary held moisture only and as such are only suitable for above ground application. Where external ground levels are higher than the internal floor levels such as in a cellar then there is a risk of hydrostatic water pressure and water pressure and water ingress. Damp proofing cellars with a membrane only will be a futile exercise if a running water situation occurs. Damp proofing walls should only be considered part of remedial works. Therefore whenever there is a situation where earth is bearing against the structure whether you choose diy damp proofing or have the works undertaken by a specialist contractor the remedial method adopted should by a fully drained waterproofing membrane system design an application.

Help I Have Rising Damp!

What Is Rising Damp?

A permanent Rising Damp Treatment is required here

Rising damp is a major problem in many buildings, and is often widely misdiagnosed. Rising damp can cause many problems if the moisture then penetrates vulnerable materials or finishes. A  permanent rising damp treatment is required to avoid long-term damage to the damp walls.  Typically, the term rising damp describes the movement of moisture up through permeable building materials by capillary action. Thus the solution must allow the moisture to escape from the building.

What Can Be Used As A Permanent Rising Damp Treatment?

Damp Proofing Membrane systems are viewed as an effective alternative to most conventional damp proofing methods like chemical damp proof courses (DPCs), cementitious and bitumous paint on coatings and external water repellents for treating damp. This is due to the fact that membrane systems generally need minimal preparation, are installed faster, and are the most sympathetic to the structure. They are reversible and can be ventilated which make them particularly ideal for use on conservation and historic projects and for refurbishment, renovation and new build where it is necessary to treat rising damp.

I Have Heard A Lot About Damp Proof Courses

Damp Proof Courses can be used to treat rising damp. However, there are problems with this method. Drilling and injecting the chemical DPC is an exact science in that the holes have to be drilled to the right diameter, at the right spacing and to the correct depth if the installation it to be effective. The exact gauge of DPC cream or fluid in relation to the thickness of the wall and what it is built from need to be calculated and used to achieve totally effective diffusion into the substrate which is especially tricky in buildings constructed of varied materials or poorly built structures where there are large fishers and voids. As a permanent damp proof treatment, damp proofing membranes can be applied over most existing wall finishes without the need to remove them. No guess work is required and the membranes are offered up to the walls, drilled and fixed quickly and cleanly the same way to almost any substrate. When a damp course treatment is used, part of the process almost always includes hacking off existing plaster which is an extremely disruptive and messy process.The damp-proofing membranes provide an impervious barrier to protect the internal finishes which require rising damp treatment, without changing the status quo of the wall.

What About Timber Treatment?

If there is any organic material like timber (skirting boards, door linings, architraves, fixing blocks etc) in contact with the damp wall then there is a risk that wood rotting fungi like dry or wet rot could germinate and in many cases cause serious decay. If a DPC fluid is used then the active ingredient is mixed with water as the carrier and so you are effectively introducing more fluid into an already damp wall thus making it wetter! Damp timber will also promote and harbour wood boring insects more commonly known as woodworm.  Dry rot treatment in particular can be very disruptive and expensive. Membrane systems completely isolate the decorative joinery and timber items from any dampness in the walls thus prolonging their longevity. Infestation by wood boring insects can have a detrimental affect to the timber which may result in the need to completely remove and replace the item or treatment for woodworm by a specialist wood worm treatment company may be necessary.

Another advantage that damp proofing membranes have over injected chemical DPCs as a rising damp treatment is that chemical DPCs are more or less always installed with a recommendation to re-plaster the wall at least to a height of 1.2m with a dense plaster and with a salt retardant additive in the plaster mix. The plastering can be considered by the contracted damp specialist to be as vital a part of this system as the chemical DPC and hence achieving the right combination of sand, cement and salt retardant additive is absolutely crucial if it is to achieve its design function. Damp Specialists will rarely give a guarantee for the work if the associated salt retardant plastering is not done and if it is done by someone else then the end user faces a split responsibility situation if something goes wrong in the future.

When it comes to application of the injected damp proof course and the associated re-plastering used as a rising damp treatment, or for dealing with other damp problems, damp proofing membranes factor out human error. Damp Proofing Membranes are manufactured a physical product identically at source and once applied to the wall is guaranteed to protect the internal finishes from dampness and salting. They do not rely on exact mixing and a level of chemical reaction and presentation to be effective.

Damp Proofing Membranes

 As a rising damp treatment, or a treatment for many other damp problems, Damp Proofing Membranes would be the ideal solution. Attempts to combat penetrating damp with cementitious or bitumous products often fail due to a lack of effective preparation work. These products are only as good as the surface to which they are applied and therefore exhaustive and very thorough preparation of the surface is required prior to their application. This can be disruptive time consuming and expensive. They need to be applied 100% defect free to be effective and often defects cannot be seen due to the nature of how the products have to be mixed and applied.

How About A Damp Cellar?

Where external ground levels are higher than the internal floor levels such as in a damp cellar then there is a risk of hydrostatic water pressure and damp proofing walls only will be a futile exercise if a running water situation occurs. Damp proofing membrane systems are designed to deal with capillary held moisture only and as such are only suitable for above ground application. The remedial method adopted should be a waterproofing membrane system design and application.  Therefore when ever there is a situation where earth is bearing against the structure and making the wall damp a damp proofing membrane chemical damp course alone should not be considered and would not conform to BS8102 (British Standard for The Protection of Structures From Water From The Ground)