Hello World! Welcome Friends! If you’re a homeowner who seems to be fighting a losing battle against damp, you might be wondering how helpful a damp proof course would be. Perhaps you’ve looked into the cost, and you’re wondering whether it’s worth it and how long it will last once done?
With advice from Drycore here’s everything you need to know about getting a damp proof course and how long it will protect your home.
What Is a Damp Proof Course?
First of all, what actually is a damp proof course? Is it something you can do yourself? Well, the answer is yes. Some forms of damp proof courses you can absolutely do yourself. However, in order to ensure they are done properly, you might want to opt for a professional.
A damp proof course is in essence simply a protective barrier against damp. It protects the property from rising damp and penetrating damp, and acts as a reliable form of damp proofing. There are two common types of damp proof course, as well as the one that is often used when properties are first constructed; they are:
Damp Proof Course Injection (a chemical damp proof course)
This is the most common form of damp proof course that people pay for, and is the easiest damp proof course to do at home yourself. It is a great way to protect your home from rising damp. It consists of a damp proofing injection being injected into the interior walls (or sometimes external walls). The cream that is injected into the brickwork protects the wall by preventing any moisture rising above it. As such, it is usually injected around 150mm from the floor level, which should sit behind the skirting board. Once installed correctly, the DCP will take 4 weeks to fully cure.
Electro Osmotic Damp Proofing Course
The less common alternative is the Electro Osmotic damp proof course. This works by installing titanium and copper wiring into the walls, which are provided with a small electronic current. This current runs through the wall and reverses a biological action known as capillary action. By doing so, it ensures that the rising damp stays below the damp proof course. Typically, this damp proof course is only used when it is not suitable to use the chemical damp proof.
Damp Proof Course During Construction
When a property is built, it will usually have a damp proof course installed. This will usually be a protective layer of material, often plastic, around the exterior walls between the brickwork. This is known as a damp proof membrane.
How Is a Damp Proof Course Installed?
For chemical damp proof courses, the installation is fairly straightforward. It is done as follows:
- The wall will need to be prepared; skirting boards and contaminated or damp plaster must be removed.
- Holes should be drilled around 150mm from the floor. When you drill holes, they should be 12mm deep.
- The chemical damp course can then be inserted into the holes. The cream needs to be capped using mortar or plastic plugs.
- To prepare the wall, a scratch coat should be applied. It needs to be at least 5mm thick in order to work as an anchoring layer
- Once the scratch coat is applied and ready, a finishing skim coat should be applied
- Finally, the skirting boards can be replaced
How Do I Know If My Property Has a Damp Proof Course Already?
Often, people won’t know if they have an original course or an existing damp proof course. This can lead to homeowners paying out for a new damp proof course without reason, and damp proofing costs can be a little hefty. If you’re not sure whether you’ve got anything in place to protect your home from rising damp, take a look around your home for a little black line between 6 inches and 2 feet from the floor. This will be the damp proofing that was installed during construction.
How Long Will a Damp Proofing Course Protect Against Rising Damp?
If a damp proofing course is installed correctly, then the damp proofing should be able to protect a property from rising damp for more than 20 years. To ensure this longevity with your damp proofing, it is worth getting it professionally done. That way you can ensure that rising damp is fought off for as long as possible before you have to splash out for damp proofing costs again.
How Do I Know If I Need a Damp Proof Course?
If you’ve not got any damp proofing, you may be wondering if you need it. The general answer is yes. Especially if you live at ground level. If you want to be extra sure, though, you can keep an eye out for:
- black mould or any mould growth
- water marks on the wall
- plaster peeling off walls
- wood deteriorating
Failing that, you can have an independent damp survey done. This will tell you how much you need a damp course, and may shine a light on what the damp proofing cost will be, too. You might find that actually, your original damp proof course is working fine and the damp you’re suffering with is caused by internal factors.
Do I Need to Re-Render After My Damp Proof Course?
One of the popular questions asked after a damp course has been installed is whether or not the property needs re-rendering afterwards. Unfortunately, homes that have had damp problems will likely be suffering from hydroscopic salts and while a chemical dpc will stop moisture rising and will protect the home from several types of damp, the salts will attract more moisture. This can render the chemical dpc pointless, and can cause more issues despite the water repellent barrier.
In order to prevent this, it is important to re-render after a damp course, whether you’re on the ground level, the second story or anywhere else. It will help to prevent moisture from harming your walls.
What Else Can You Do to Fight Damp?
If damp proofing is not quite what you want to do to stop damp, there are a few other things you can try. If you think the damp in your house is mostly on the interior walls, it might be worth trying damp proof paint and increasing ventilation. This is especially important in below ground level flats or basements.
However, rising damp and penetrating damp are only going to be stopped by treatment and a damp course, no matter what else you do!
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Can You Put Drain Cleaner in a Washing Machine?
Do Epoxy Resin Floors Scratch?
7 Key Steps to Take Before Starting a Kitchen Remodeling Project
Understanding the Kitchen Renovation Process
How to Select a Qualified Painter in Seattle
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Toodles,
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