When rising damp occurs in your home, if left untreated, it can cause structural damage to your property and trigger the growth of black mould. When you need to fix rising damp, it’s important to involve professional intervention immediately, so the source can be diagnosed and remediated to prevent any further damage.

What Does Fixing Rising Damp Actually Involve?

Rising damp is when moisture, often from groundwater, moves up through the masonry of a structure. Because bricks and mortar are porous on their own, they draw in moisture like a sponge, allowing it to settle in the structure and cause damage.

It is considered a serious issue due to the internal pressure and decay it causes to the masonry, so it requires immediate specialist remediation. First, an accurate diagnosis by a professional is required to identify the source, which is discovered through a damp survey. Once identified, the treatment can begin.

The Rising Damp Treatment Process — Step by Step

Step 1

First, a PCA-qualified surveyor will assess the extent of the damp. With a damp survey, they will confirm moisture levels, identify the source, and rule out other damp types.

Step 2

Secondly, the treatment is applied, which is referred to as a chemical damp-proof course (DPC) injection. This is a water-repellent chemical cream that is injected into the masonry at a low level to create a new damp-proof barrier. Holes are drilled along the lower mortar line, allowing the chemical to penetrate the masonry at the source.

Step 3

Next, the area will be replastered with a salt-resistant render. Standard plaster cannot be reapplied to walls previously affected by rising damp, as salts deposited in the masonry previously will cause it to fail. Specialist salt-resistant renovation plaster is required to withstand the contaminated substrate.

Step 4

Finally, the treated walls will need time to dry out before any redecoration can take place. This typically takes several months, but it can differ depending on the property age and the wall construction. It’s important to give the area time to recover from any damage that has occurred, and ensure the rising damp does not return.

Why Choose Kenwood for Rising Damp Treatment?

Our PCA-accredited specialists take rising damp very seriously. We understand the severity of this issue if left alone, which is why we offer next-day surveys to diagnose issues fast and begin treatment immediately.

All our treatments are covered under a 20-year guarantee, giving you peace of mind when it comes to the safety and structural integrity of your property. Our services are available across London, the South East, and Home Counties, having attended over 20,000 properties each year.

If you suspect rising damp, book a next-day survey with our PCA-accredited team today.

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