4 Options for Dealing With Rising Damp

Rising damp can cause a variety of cosmetic and structural problems when it develops in your home. It is therefore important for you to know your options in case you have this problem. This article discusses some of the possible solutions that can help to deal with rising damp in buildings.

Insert or Repair the Damp-Proof Course

A damp-proof course is a thin strip of concrete that is located close to the bottom of walls. This strip helps to prevent moisture from rising to the walls above it. Rising damp can develop in case your home was not built with this strip. Rising damp can also start once this strip is damaged over time. You should therefore check and confirm that this damp-roof course is present. Have it inserted in case your home doesn't have it. Repair this damp-proof course in case it was damaged.

Repair or Install a Damp-Proof Membrane

Another approach to deal with rising damp involves installing a damp-proof membrane. This membrane is usually installed when the building is under construction. However, you can have it retrofitted in case it is missing from your home. This process can be tedious and time-consuming, but it can put a stop to rising damp. Homes with these membranes can also exhibit localised rising damp. Those damp spots can be repaired by applying paint over them. Latex waterproof emulsions are used during this repair task. The paint will seal the gaps through which damp was rising.

Dig Soil Away

Some cases of rising damp can be fixed by digging away the soil that may have reached the level of the damp-proof course. The damp-proof course should be a certain height above ground level. However, soil can gradually accumulate to the extent that it will cover the damp-proof course. Digging away this excess soil enables the damp-proof course to deter moisture from rising into the walls of your home.

Seal the Floors and Walls

Rising damp can also be combated by sealing the affected floors and walls using asphalt or a membrane. Detailed surface preparation is required before this remedy can be implemented. The exposed surfaces must also be painted or decorated after the asphalt coating or membrane has been applied. This solution to rising damp is one of the most expensive to implement.

Each of the options above is suitable for a unique set of circumstances. One should therefore ask an expert to assess the specific cause of rising damp so that the best remedy can be selected to fix that problem.


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