Moisture can enter a building, leading to dampness, through many routes including building defects, poor maintenance and lack of effective damp proofing measures.
Movement of moisture or the presence of excessive amounts of moisture in building materials can result in salt staining, plaster deterioration, or spoiling of decorations. Timbers that are subjected to continual excessive moisture levels are at risk from wood destroying fungi (wet and dry rot).
It is important to determine the source of water/moisture ingress before taking any remedial damp proofing action. There may be one or more sources, such as penetrating damp, plumbing defects, condensation, bridging of the damp proof course (dpc) or absence of effective damp proofing resulting in rising damp.
The process is fairly straightforward:
Firstly, we remove all fixtures and fittings and remove the plaster to expose the brickwork in the affected areas
The brickwork is then injected with silicon based liquid damp proofer.
After this the area is rendered with a sand/cement mix which incorporates a water proofing agent - this is applied in two coats and left to dry.
Once dry, the area is re-plastered to a smooth finish.
The chemicals we use are the safest available and meet the current standards.
The main cause of damp in our homes is condensation. Damp caused by condensation can only be addressed by changing the way you live to reduce the amount of moisture produced in your home and there are a number of things you can do:
1. Make less moisture
Wipe the water from your windows and sills with a cloth, but make sure you wring your cloth out in the sink and don't put the wet cloth on a heater to dry. Putting a wet cloth on a heater allows the water to evaporate back into the air which means it will re-appear as condensation when the temperature drops.
Don't dry washing inside your home. All the water from your clothes will go straight into the air and as soon as the air cools you will get condensation on your windows and walls.
Put lids on you saucepans when you cook. This keeps steam in the pan and saves money on your fuel bill.
Don't use paraffin or bottled gas heaters. They produce lots of moisture. Burning one gallon of paraffin puts about one gallon of water vapour into the air which re-appears as condensation on your windows or other cold surfaces.
Vent your tumble drier outside. If your dryer is not self condensing make sure you put the hose out of a window to ensure the hot, moisture filled air produced by the machine does not condense inside your home. Opening a window is not enough. You can get hose kits from most electrical & DIY stores.
2. Increase the Ventilation
Use the trickle ventilators in your windows. You need a good air flow to help get rid of moisture which is produced in your home all the time. Modern windows have pull down flaps to help ventilate your home. Keep these open as much as possible so damp air can escape.
Open a window when cooking and after showering/bathing. Boiling pans, hot baths and showers produce lots of steam. Opening a window ensures this steam condenses outside rather than inside your home. It also helps to keep your kitchen and bathroom doors shut when these rooms are in use for about 20 minutes after to stop moist air getting into other rooms. When your kitchen, bathroom or other rooms are not in use leave doors open so heat can spread evenly through your home.
3. Allow air to circulate
Don't put furniture against the outside walls of your home. The inside walls (between rooms) are always warmer and are therefore less prone to condensation.
Leave a gap between the wall and the furniture so air can circulate and ensure that wardrobes and cupboards are properly ventilated to prevent mould growing inside.
4. Keep your home warm
When moisture condenses on your walls it makes them colder. This causes you to loose heat and increases the risk of mould growing. It then takes more energy to heat your home to a comfortable temperature which costs more. Heating your home efficiently helps reduce condensation and could save money on your heating bills. Try to keep your home above 18ºC (63°F) - most people find a comfortable heat is around 21°C (70°F). Condensation is sure to occur if you let your home fall below 18°C
5. Remove mould as soon as you find it
You MUST remove mould as soon as you find it to stop it spreading and causing more damage to your home. You can get special cleaning products from DIY stores (always follow the manufacturers instructions) or use a good quality bleach mixed one part bleach to four parts water (but remember bleach may take the colour out).
