The ultimate damp proof home guide

Issues like rising damp and penetrating damp can cause costly headaches that feel like they are never going to end. We change all that!

While DIY is a tempting way to try and save some money, a full damp survey is always the best course of action when you want to address mould, damp patches, and complex issues with external walls.

Let’s dive into the details and see why investing in a professional damp proof course is always the smart move when you want to deal with damp walls without delay.

Key points about a new damp proof course

Every damp proof course will follow these key steps to make sure that nothing is missed.

• A damp survey will look at both penetrating damp and rising damp solutions
• Damp proofing is about root cause solutions, not quick fixes and bodge jobs
• The external walls and internal walls of your property will be looked at
• Moist air, poor ventilation, and constantly cold surfaces are also considered in detail
• Any existing damp proofing will also be looked at to check for weaknesses

The goal is to get to the root cause of your damp walls and damp patches, rather than simply painting over the mould or cracking open a window more often.

Why damp proof your home?

Damp will cause cold walls, the buildup of water vapour, a nasty damp smell, and can even cause structural damage.

On top of this issues like rising damp will also cause rapid growth of toxic black mould which can damage the lining of your lungs and result in chronic breathing issues.

How much does damp proofing cost?

All damp proofing companies will tell you that the amount of physical damp proof intervention you need, as well as the size and nature of your property, will affect the final price. Remember, you are not paying someone to simply run a dehumidifier to reduce condensation.

A specialist damp course will combat materials and layouts that are trapping moisture while also preventing cold external surfaces and water ingress from causing issues in the first place. You can expect to pay from several hundred to a few thousand pounds for a new damp proof course, with the final charge being dictated by the factors listed above.

If in doubt, come to the Federation of Damp and connect with a damp proofing expert who will provide competitive prices for dealing with all damp problems and all types of damp.

Does damp proofing really work?

Yes, you can readily deal with excess moisture and eliminate a persistent musty smell by investing in a professional damp proofing solution. Not only will this protect your internal walls and secure your external walls, but it will also ensure that damp problems never result in other issues, such as:

• Rapid black mould growth and damp patches at ground level
• Crumbling masonry walls and persistent dark patches
• Flaking paint and issues with old plaster in older properties

Damp damage is real, costly, and very time-consuming to put right if key building fabric and materials are not properly installed and maintained. The best approach is to hire a professional with help from the Federation of Damp.

Types of damp

Damp proofing will combat two primary sources of damp, both of which are often present at the same time:

• Rising damp is when your property’s foundations are not properly sealed and they cause water to be sucked out of the ground and into your internal walls
• Penetrating damp is when persistently cold water vapour sticks to external walls and then makes its way into internal walls due to substandard insulation

While you don’t have to be able to identify rising damp and penetrating damp when you hire a specialist, knowing the difference can make it much clearer what is going on. Ideal when you want to know what they are talking about when they quote you for a specialist damp proof membrane.

What makes damp worse?

Damp problems quickly get worse in a number of different ways, including:

• Poor ventilation means you are unable to reduce condensation by removing damp air and pushing it outside of your property
• Porous brickwork that is improperly sealed against the elements, causing issues with materials such as lime mortar
• Repeatedly air drying clothes in the same room instead of investing in a condenser dryer that will keep the moisture in a tank you can then pour away
• Failing to fix the cracked render that is acting as a channel for water ingress and allowing mould and damp to potentially take hold

If you want to prevent damp in your home the smart way, a full building survey and damp course is the only way to do it. Let’s take a look at the key ways to go about managing damp.

Install damp proof membranes

Every damp specialist will be able to tell you that you need more than generic plastic sheets at exterior ground level to protect your home, especially if you live in one of those hard-to-maintain older buildings.

Dampproof membranes are crafted from specialist HPE plastic that is designed to be impermeable to moisture so that you will never have dew point issues again. They are flexible, robust, and designed to be hardwearing when dealing with rising damp in your property.

While you may think you need a very thick layer, these membranes are designed to have a very low profile so that your damp specialist can install them with minimal preparatory work. Ideal when you want to keep the dew point at bay the smart way.

Use the correct silicone sealant

Older properties in particular suffer from weak points around external windows and doors and need new sealant to adequately prevent damp. Having a professional apply it at key points on your outside walls will make sure that you can deal with many types of damp without delay. The right sealant combined with a damp proof membrane can start to turn the tide.

Injection damp proofing

Damp rising from the ground and into your property from ground level is one thing, but then there’s also penetrating damp — particularly with older properties — that needs to be addressed.

Before considering renovating plaster or making cosmetic changes, a damp proof course may well include injection damp proofing to combat interstitial condensation. This is a more advanced approach than trying to drill holes in the hope of achieving adequate cavity ventilation.

Rethink how you go about drying clothes

All types of damp, whether penetrating damp or rising damp will be exacerbated by something as simple as a poorly vented tumble dryer or too much air drying clothes, especially in a confined space.

Using a dehumidifier, installing air bricks, and adding an extractor fan are steps included in any damp proof course used to combat the types of damp wet clothes will cause.

What should I do about my damp problem?

Firstly, don’t panic. Help with rising damp and penetrating damp is always available from a professional who can recommend a custom damp proof course. They may suggest a specialist damp proof membrane, cavity insulation, and or a range of ground-level and external treatments.

Connecting with a Federation of Damp expert will help you put penetrating damp and rising damp in their place without delay. Exactly what you want to hear when you’re tired of DIY approaches that force you to spend hours struggling with the task of renovating plaster when there are more fundamental issues.

A damp proof course specialist will also be able to provide the exact type and size of damp proof membrane to protect your property, allowing you to sit back and relax knowing that everything is covered the right way.

Now that we’ve covered all the fundamentals of issues like penetrating damp, it’s time we left you with the answers to the questions we know are on your mind.

How do I apply damp proof paint?

While a damp proof membrane is designed to solve a fundamental issue, damp proof paint is more of a final layer of protection against future issues. Applying damp proof paint will not stop you from having issues with rising damp if your damp proofing solution has not gotten to the bottom of the root causes.

Once the damp proof membrane has been fitted and rising damp and other issues have been dealt with fully, the final step of the damp proof course is to remove old plaster, replaster, and then once dry, apply damp proof paint with a brush and roller.

How does damp proof paint work?

A specialized polymer that is impenetrable to water in the air will finish off your damp proofing measures nicely. You can think of it as a first line of defense against damp issues that may gradually start to arise in the future.

How much will damp proofing cost?

The cost of the damp proofing can range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds. The nature and extent of the damp proofing, the size of your property, and the amount of additional issues that have already taken hold will all impact the final price.

Does my home insurance cover me for damp treatment?

Generally speaking, home insurance will not cover you for damp proofing. While this may be frustrating, the best approach when you have damp problems like rising damp, or other types of damp, is to contact a specialist at the earliest opportunity.

Does renovating plaster work?

Yes, using water and salt-blocking agents as part of plastering can form a key part of any successful damp proofing solution. Hiring a professional to take care of it — especially in the case of older buildings — will combat potentially costly issues such as mould growth.

Is damp proofing my whole house affordable?

While it may cost several thousand pounds to do so, you should think of it as an investment in the future value, comfort, and structural integrity of your property.

What’s the fastest way to fix a damp house?

Take action by increasing airflow, dialing up the temperature in the impacted room, and then calling one of the experts you will find via the Federation of Damp.

Is it illegal to sell my house if it is damp?

No, you can legally sell a home that has damp issues provided you declare the problems it has during the course of the survey.