How to do Damp Proofing

The method for the damp proofing of walls is carried out in various stages. Firstly to prepare the walls for the chemical damp proof course, the skirting boards and any wall mounted obstructions are removed such as shelves, units and fixtures / fittings.

Then the walls of the affected areas need to have the plaster removed, back to the bare brick work to around a height of 1 metre and higher in some cases. Following this we drill a series of 10mm holes into the mortar bed near the base of the wall.

These holes are then pressure injected using a specially formulated solution of Kenwood siliconate fluid until the wall is fully impregnated, creating the chemical damp proof course. This process is repeated externally when access is available to both sides of the wall. Where a treated wall adjoins an untreated wall a vertical damp proof course is installed by drilling vertically up the wall and injecting the fluid in the same manner. Where access is only available to one side, such as party walls, the treatment is done by a method known as double drilling, which achieves the same objective, albeit takes a little longer.

Chemical Injection

Following the completion of the chemical injection, the treated walls are then replastered using our specialist rendering system which includes, among other ingredients, polypropylene fibres to reduce shrinkage along with salt inhibitors and waterproofers to combats salts from the ground.

This means that the rendering can be done immediately after the damp proof course is installed. After the application and initial set of the render system, the final stage of plastering is applied. This is the skim coat and provides a beautiful smooth finish and the skirting boards can be adhesive fixed to the walls. The final step is for the walls to be left to dry naturally for prior to redecorating treated walls.

Next: How to fix damp.