DAMP PROBLEMS
Quite simply damp is moisture that penetrates into the very fabric of a building and on a superficial level can lead to unsightly staining and possibly carry a very distinct unpleasant odour, but if left untreated damp can lead to damage of internal decor, wet and dry rot, damage to the very structure of a building and more alarmingly health risks such as increased risks of asthma attacks and respiratory problems. Dust mites and bacteria also flourish in moist environments, and in the young, old and those with immune difficiences this can contribute to more serious conditions.
Damp generally comes in a few basic forms:-
PENETRATING DAMP
This can be caused by insecure flashing, leaky roofs, cracks in pebbledash or render of exterior walls, leaky down pipes or guttering, poor pointing or even badly fitting windows or doors.
Other factors which can contribute are:-
-The porosity and/or age of the wall
-the width of the wall
-cavity walls in theory are less susceptible to penetrating damp, however cavity wall insulation and wall ties can actually promote penetrating damp
-the conditions inside the property.
RISING DAMP
Building materials in general are porous and as such when joined to the ground by their very nature they will allow the transferral of moisture into the building. This is usually dealt with by using a damp proofing course or d.p.c, this can be comprised of bitumen, slate, engineering bricks, felt or if a problem has been previously dealt with a chemicaly injected or even electro osmosis d.p.c could be present.
Rising damp occurs when the d.p.c is breeched, allowing moisture to pass through this protective barrier causing the usual problem associated with damp and in addition an unsightly tide mark can also possibly be visible up to1.5 metre`s above ground level and in some cases even higher.
CONDENSATION
Often over looked as a contributing factor to damp problems but obviously the air all around us holds a certain amount of moisture and other factors such as better fitting doors and windows and blocked fire places which allow less ventilation can also contribute to condensation issue`s. The average person can contribute up to 5 litres of moisture per day (mostly during the winter months); from cooking, washing and just the presence of an individual in a building.
At any given temperature air can hold a certain amount of water vapour, when the air temperature is increased so is the amount of moisture the air can hold or absorb. And by the same token when the air temperature starts to fall so does the capacity for the air to retain the water vapour and so the moisture is then released and condensation is caused. This moisture is obviously visible on non porous surfaces such as glass or tiles but on non porous surfaces no condensation is visible because it is absorbed. This can lead to mould being aparent in colours such as black, green, off white or even yellow. This can affect internal wood, wall paper and fabrics; and if left untreated it can also lead to wet and dry rot.
Adequate heating and ventilation should cure any condensation problems.
THE CURE
Before embarking on any form of treatment a few basic checks should be carried out; like the level of the exterior ground doesn`t exceed the d.p.c, check for leaks in down pipes and guttering, damage to external render, pebbledash or tyrolean and make sure the slope of any paths or patio`s again don`t compromise the d.p.c.
DAMP PROOFING COURSES:-
Remedial d.p.c`s come in many forms such as chemically injected, ventilation bricks or even electro osmosis systems, each system has their individual benefits but the problem with damp in general is that it may be apparently caused by one problem when the cause is in fact quite another. So even after getting the d.p.c dealt with the problem could still be present. With our ANDURA textured wall coating system and chemical damp proofing course injection (if necessary) this guarantees to cure both penetrating and rising damp.
