Course Details
- Next Course Date: 21st August 2026
- Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Hands-on certification
Practical training, not theory
A structured, hands-on day that teaches installers and technicians to carry out damp proofing work safely, correctly and to recognised industry standards. You work through every stage of a real installation, led by experienced professionals, with the focus on quality workmanship and lasting performance.
What you'll learn
Every stage of a real installation
1Damp diagnosis
- Telling rising, penetrating and condensation damp apart
- How wall construction affects moisture movement
- Why correct diagnosis prevents the wrong treatment
2Site preparation and safety
- Safe removal of contaminated plaster and substrate prep
- Identifying salt contamination
- PPE, site safety and working safely around live work
3Chemical DPC installation
- Drilling pattern, spacing and depth
- Correct injection technique, creams and systems
- Sealing, finishing and avoiding common mistakes
4Waterproof rendering
- Correct mix ratios and application
- Thickness, curing and preventing cracking or failure
5Membrane and tanking
- Meshed membrane systems and basic tanking principles
- When each system is the right choice
6Replastering and finishing
- Salt-resistant plaster systems
- Drying, ventilation and preparing for decoration
7Quality control and aftercare
- Inspecting and moisture-testing completed work
- Recording results and managing client aftercare
Who it's for
Built for people doing the work
Technicians and installers
Plasterers moving into damp
Builders and contractors
New industry starters
Companies seeking FOD recognition
What you get
Everything in one day
- A full day of practical, hands-on training on a City & Guilds Assured course
- All tools and materials provided
- A same-day FODCT certificate on completion
- Eligibility to join as an individual or company member, with a directory listing
Why it matters
Poor installation is expensive to put right.
Premature failure
Costly call-backs
Client disputes
Reputational damage
This course makes sure the work is done properly from the first job.
Secure your place
Places are limited to keep the training genuinely hands-on. Reserve yours today.
Curriculum
- 10 Sections
- 77 Lessons
- 3 Days
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Introduction1
- MODULE 1 – DAMP DIAGNOSIS BASICS8
- MODULE 2 – SITE PREPARATION9
- MODULE 3 - DAMP PROOFING INSTALLATION SYSTEMS13
- 4.13.1 Purpose of a Chemical Damp Proof Course
- 4.23.2 Limitations of Chemical DPC Systems
- 4.33.3 Types of Chemical DPC Systems
- 4.43.4 Locating the DPC Injection Line
- 4.53.5 Drilling Patterns
- 4.63.6 Drilling Technique
- 4.73.7 Injection Procedure
- 4.83.8 Internal vs External Installation
- 4.93.9 Plugging and Sealing Injection Holes
- 4.103.10 Avoiding Bridging
- 4.113.11 Curing and Drying
- 4.123.12 Technician Responsibilities
- 4.13Module 3: Summary
- MODULE 4 - RENDERING APPLICATIONS13
- 5.14.1 Purpose of Waterproof Rendering
- 5.24.2 Role of Rendering After Damp Proofing
- 5.34.3 Components of Waterproof Render Systems
- 5.44.4 Render Mix Ratios
- 5.54.5 Preparation Prior to Rendering
- 5.64.6 Scratch Coat Application
- 5.74.7 Top Coat Application
- 5.84.8 Avoiding Bridging of the Damp Proof Course
- 5.94.9 Common Application Errors
- 5.104.10 Curing and Drying
- 5.114.11 Compatibility With Replastering Systems
- 5.124.12 Technician Responsibilities
- 5.13Module 4: Summary
- MODULE 5 – MEMBRANE & TANKING SYSTEMS12
- 6.15.1 Purpose of Membrane & Tanking Systems
- 6.25.2 Understanding Moisture Pressure
- 6.35.3 Membrane Systems
- 6.45.4 Fixings and Detailing
- 6.55.5 Jointing and Sealing
- 6.65.6 Tanking Systems
- 6.75.7 Surface Preparation for Tanking
- 6.85.8 Tanking Application
- 6.95.9 Common Installation Errors
- 6.105.10 Integration With Other Systems
- 6.115.11 Technician Responsibilities
- 6.12Module 5: Summary
- MODULE 6 – REPLASTERING & FINISHING11
- 7.16.1 Purpose of Correct Replastering
- 7.26.2 Salt Contamination and Its Effects
- 7.36.3 Salt-Resistant Plaster Systems
- 7.46.4 Preparation Prior to Replastering
- 7.56.5 Application of Replastering Systems
- 7.66.6 Drying and Curing
- 7.76.7 Ventilation Considerations
- 7.86.8 Finishing for Decoration
- 7.96.9 Common Replastering Errors
- 7.106.10 Technician Responsibilities
- 7.11Module 6: Summary
- MODULE 7 – QUALITY CONTROL & AFTERCARE0
- MODULE 7 – QUALITY CONTROL & AFTERCARE8
- Course Conclusion2
FAQs
It means the training programme has been independently reviewed and quality-assured by City & Guilds, the UK's leading skills certification organisation. You earn the Federation of Damp Certified Technician (FODCT) certificate, with the added assurance that the programme behind it meets City & Guilds' standards.
Both. The certification day is hands-on, practical installation training with all tools and materials provided, and it's backed by online theory modules you keep lifetime access to. The emphasis is real-world installation, not theory alone.
It suits damp proofing technicians and installers, plasterers moving into damp treatment, builders adding specialist services, and new entrants. Basic site experience helps, but the day is structured to take you through each stage properly.
The course runs in High Wycombe roughly every 6–8 weeks, with limited spaces on each cohort. Check the course page for upcoming dates and to secure your place.
A full day of hands-on training, all tools and materials, the online theory modules, and a same-day Federation of Damp certificate. You don't need to bring anything.
FODCT certifies you to install damp proofing correctly; the FODCS surveyor certification trains you to diagnose and report on damp. Many professionals do both, install to a high standard and survey to win and specify the work. Both are City & Guilds Assured.
Instructor
