There are many different solutions that homeowners can use to deal with dampness issues in their home. These include Cement based plasters, waterproof membranes, tanking, plasterboards and various ventilation systems. However, all of these will primarily focus on hiding the dampness problem rather than fixing it.
Is rising damp treatable?
Symptoms of rising damp typically show up on the interior walls, especially around two meters above skirting boards. They are usually topped by a ‘tide line’ of salt deposition that shows where the water has penetrated the wall.
Rising damp solutions also causes paint to peel, wallpaper to loosen and plaster to flake. In severe cases, it can result in the mortar falling away or the paint and plaster work to come away completely.
Secondary symptoms of rising damp are often evident as the problem grows, such as decay and rotten timbers to the foundations of the building. The condition can also lead to a foul smell in the property.
Checks for rising damp
To find out if your house has rising damp, it’s important to get a professional to do an inspection. This is best done by a specialist ‘rising damp surveyor’ who will test the walls using a moisture meter.
A rising damp surveyor will be able to identify any areas that are affected by the problem and recommend the most appropriate course of action. This can be as simple as an injection cream, or a more intensive approach to solving the problem. This can include a series of holes in the mortar course where a DPC cream is injected, or electrical osmosis systems that allow water to soak into porous ceramic tubes and evaporate.