Dorset Damp Proofing,Waterproofing and Survey Specialists

Damp within homes is a very common issue. A high amount of damp caused in properties is due to poor maintenance, a lack of adequate ventilation and often in older properties, high ground levels can result in the lack of an effective damp proof course.

Modern houses often have bad ventilation and mixed with poor use of heating can result in condensation problems.

Some properties may have been built without a DPC or those that have been built with one, may find this is no longer working to its full capacity because of changes in ground levels, damage from building renovations or frequently with buildings built on sloping site and hills, the older damp proofing measures are no longer working well enough to meet our modern day standards.

A DPC is a ‘Damp Proof Course’ which is a barrier inserted through the bottom of the wall to prevent water rising from the soil in to the wall. Older properties were not normally built with one, however the were introduced generally from around 1875.

Older Damp proof courses were usually built from slate however in construction nowadays they are made from plastic. When a new DPC is installed as a remedial measure, this is usually installed by making holes into the walls and injecting a waterproof liquid or high strength chemical cream which forms the new damp proof course by creating a strong protection barrier within your wall.

Major issues with damp walls is that timbers in contact with the walls which are susceptible to decay. When damp gets bad, certain levels of dampness may also ruin your decorations and damage plaster work.

The majority of properties are very likely to have had a form of damp treatment carried out previously, but this may no longer be sufficient to meet our modern day standards and often alterations carried out during renovations will damage existing damp proof courses and / or remove previous waterproofing.

The addition of new driveways and patios etc often bridges old damp proof courses as ground levels are raised.

Many basements and cellars are now being upgraded into usable space where previously these rooms may have been coal stores or left empty.

If you are unsure whether or not your property has adequate damp proofing systems installed book a survey here.

The different types of damp represent themselves in different ways but have some common indicators include:

• Damp or musty smell
• Excessive condensation on windows
• Tide marks on the wall
• Peeling wallpaper or paint
• Discoloured or dark patches on the floors, wall, & ceilings
• Mould or mildew growth

Diagnosing damp by yourself can become expensive, as the wrong diagnoses and treatment methods can cause structural damage to the property. The best way to get rid of damps begins with the actual cause of the damp and finding the source of damp. So, if that very step is misdiagnosed, you are likely to end up with more losses. 

At Advanced Damp, we have surveyors with decades of experience that will help your find the source, cause, and most effective treatment for your damp problems. So, we encourage getting in touch with a specialist damp proofing company to get the suggestions.