Rising damp results in unsightly damage to internal decorations, which will lead to timber decay and heat loss through the wall. In addition rising moisture from the ground, carries with it hygroscopic ground salts such as chlorides and nitrates. Which have the natural ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere leading to the wall becoming damp in conditions of high relative humidity. The cyclical nature of the crystallisation and rewetting of these salts breaks down internal plaster and ruin internal decorations, this is the reason why the plaster needs to be removed and replaced.

First and most important is the survey, this is undertaken by one of our qualified surveyors. This is to ensure that the defects are due to rising dampness and not some other defect, installing a damp proof course will not cure moisture defects, due to lateral movement of moisture due to a high external ground or neighbours floor levels.

The surveyor will write a detailed report and specification for the remedial works required, to BS6576:2005+A1:2012 ‘Code of Practice for the Installation of Chemical Damp-proof Courses’ ensuring that your problem is cured and also guaranteed, with a fully insured GPI independent insurance.

As a result of rising damp salts are deposited on the plaster surface, these salts are hygroscopic and have a natural ability to absorb moisture from the air. This can give the impression that rising damp persists after a DPC has been installed. The renewal of the affected plaster to our specification of affected plaster is an integral part of the overall treatment.

Plaster renewal must be a minimum of one meter or 300mm above the last visible signs of dampness or one metre above the proposed line of the DPC, whichever is the higher. The Agreement Board and B.S.I. advise that the D.P.C. contractor carries out both operations, to avoid having split responsibility for the D.P.C. installation and replastering.

Replastering can be undertaken using different methods and materials as detailed within BS 6576: 2005+A1:2012.
A hard render applied to the wall surface which will incorporate water proofer, and salt inhibitor, to prevent the lateral movement of moisture and hygroscopic salt leeching through to the decorative finish.

Renovating plaster this is a lighter lime based plastering system which allows the property to breath, and dry down naturally, the down side to this system is that the surface can be affected by efflorescent salting as the moisture held within the structure evaporates. Plaster membrane systems are a studded polypropylene waterproofing membrane with a special mesh welded to one side. It is fixed to damp, contaminated walls using Plaster Plugs, with the studs facing the wall. This creates an air-gap which allows the wall to breathe whilst blocking the passage of moisture. On the reverse side of the membrane, the special mesh can be plastered onto, allowing a dry plaster finish to be achieved without the risk of contamination from any damp or salts in the wall.

Thermal lining boards board can be installed to the exposed elevations, this reduces the heat loss through the structure, prevents the lateral movement of moisture and hygroscopic salts into the decorative finish as well as providing a stable plastering system. If you have any questions please call us on 0161 633 9860 and we will be happy to answer any of your questions or make arrangements to undertaken an inspection, to ensure your property is structurally is both sound and dry.