Damp Proofing in North Wales

Damp walls can be unsightly, have a negative impact on the atmosphere of a room and can sometimes impact the health of the young, elderly and people suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma. The longer you leave a damp wall(s) in situ it also increases the chance of further timber related issues and could lead to additional costs and damp proofing works to treat a damp wall. You should seek professional advice from a damp proofing specialist as soon as damp walls become apparent.

Damp walls can be caused by many issues. The most common problems are penetrating damp from an external defect, a leak from a plumbing defect, condensation from high humidity within a building, lateral dampness from walls that are soil retaining and salt dampness to chimney breasts due to the presence of soot (which usually contains hygroscopic salts) from the burning of fossil fuels within the flue. To identify which source of dampness is causing a damp wall, an experienced CSRT qualified surveyor must rule out all sources of moisture before concluding on a diagnosis.

Damp proofing is a generic term given to methods of preventing moisture into buildings. Damp proofing can come in many forms such as a physical damp proof course (DPC), chemical damp proof course, damp proof membrane (DPM), water proofing and tanking. However, the most important thing is to determine what source of moisture is present before damp proofing works are carried out.

A damp proof course (DPC) is a horizontal barrier installed in a wall during its construction. The installation of a damp proof course is to prevent the upward movement of moisture (Rising Damp) in a wall structure. By preventing this moisture entering the building this will prevent the deterioration of internal wall finishes and help prevent timber related issues such as timber decay to the adjacent timbers.

This is very unlikely, however we would always recommend you seek independent advice and a damp survey by a CSRT Surveyor. Always remember that damp proof courses rarely fail.

Yes, the reason being is that if plasterwork is contaminated with hygroscopic salts then these salts within plasterwork will always absorb humidity from the atmosphere and become damp (soluble). Which will inevitably leave you with a damp wall surface.

Hygroscopic salts normally nitrates and chlorides can be found within plasterwork and masonry within buildings. They are promoted into a building usually through a damp problem. You can find hygroscopic salts within chimney breasts due to the combustion of fossil fuels which can cause salt damp issues on the surfaces of chimney breasts and abutting walls/ceilings. The term hygroscopic is used to describe the ability of salts to absorb humidity from the atmosphere. Once these salts absorb this humidity they usually become damp to touch and the salt contaminated area will become darker to the eye. These salts cause decorative spoiling and are the main reason for re-plastering damp walls.

A damp proof membrane is an impervious barrier typically placed in a solid floor to prevent the upward movement of moisture within a floor slab. These membranes are made of high density polyethylene and would usually be laid within a new concrete floor in once piece to prevent the upward movement of moisture within a floor.

Initially it would be to prevent decorative spoiling which has become apparent visually, but fundamentally it is to prevent the deterioration of the building. Damp proofing a wall can come in various forms depending on the construction and materials present which forms the wall. When damp proofing damp walls it is crucial that the source of dampness is diagnosed and that the correct method of remedial treatment is being carried out. This is where you should instruct an appropriate qualified surveyor to diagnose and recommend the appropriate damp proofing treatments.

As we are independent surveyors we cannot recommend a specific damp proofing and timber treatment company. However, we would always recommend visiting the Property Care Association website if damp proofing works are found to be necessary to look up damp proofing contractors by using their postcode checker. Most of the time, damp proofing works are not found to be necessary and any works required can be carried out by a general builder.

Initially it would be best to ensure that the damp proofing surveyor holds the CSRT qualification. After which you should ensure the surveyor is registered through the Property Care Association (PCA). Rest assured, here at Damp Pro we are fully qualified and registered through the Property Care Association.

The PCA are the governing body of the damp proofing and timber treatment industry. Members of the PCA are fully qualified, insured and are competent to carry out damp surveys and damp proofing works in buildings. To become a member of the PCA you must hold relevant qualifications in the sector you are applying to become a member of. You need to have been trading for a minimum of two years and demonstrate that you are fully competent to do the job. To maintain high standards members are audited annually to ensure high standards are met and that members are complying to the PCA code of conduct. If a person/company does not meet standards, then they would either be rejected at the application stage or removed from the Association.

Many damp proofing companies offer free damp proofing surveys or low cost surveys around £90-£150.00. With these damp surveys you cannot be guaranteed a qualified surveyor or even someone who is actually a damp specialist. They may be carried out by damp proofing contractors or building contractors to achieve a damp proofing contract. Most of these damp surveys may also be carried out by commission based surveyors who need to achieve their monthly targets. So the question you should ask yourself is what is free in the world these days? How does a company with overheads afford to send out qualified surveyors at such a low/no cost? They can’t, is the real answer. There must be an end goal which is likely to be a damp proofing contract which could be worth thousands of pounds. So a lot of the time damp proofing works are mis-sold and/or recommended when not necessary at all. Quite often even, sales tactics are used to pressurise a customer at the time of the damp survey or follow up calls to push acceptance damp proofing works. This in a nutshell is wrong and a lot of the time it is the most vulnerable in society that suffers. Rest assured this is not how we operate as we have nothing to sell our customers and are looking to help save our customers money and upheaval of damp proofing treatments in North Wales.