Damp Proofing

Here at London Elite Trades, our goal is to always provide you with a professional solution to all your damp proofing needs.

We provide professional surveys for your convenience, so you can see exactly what we are planning to do.

We feel it is important to provide the client with up-to-date information at all times so the client can make informed decisions. By providing current information the client can follow along with the timing of the project, any issues that may arise, and the costs at every stage to ensure the project plan is being followed as discussed.

London Elite Trades carries out damp proofing treatments on both residential properties and commercial properties. While more of our treatments are for our residential clients, we do also provide a wide variety of works for commercial buildings, like injecting, survey and waterproof rendering.

For example, some of the types of buildings we have treated are churches, schools, hospitals and high street retails. For any of your residential damp proofing needs or commercial damp proofing needs or for any questions, please call London Elite Trades today and our professionals will answer any questions, provide information or even a quote for a project if needed.

Basements
Internal

External
Injecting

Water Proof Rendering
Damp Surveys

DAMP PROOFING

Damp proofing is when material is used that resists water passing through with no hydro-static pressure, while waterproof is when the material under pressure resists the water passing through entirely.

Moststructures and buildings are prone to water damage at some time in the future when they are exposed to the elements. If this is left unchecked, it could possibly cause severe problems to the property, potentially causing structural failure, and possibly even leading to serious costs for repair.

Contact London Elite Trades today for a free consultation!

Types of Damp Proofing

There are a few different types of damp proofing. Some of them are:

- Damp-Proof Course (DPC)
- Damp-Proof Membrane (DPM)
- Integral Damp Proofing

Surface Coating
Cavity Wall Construction

Pressure Grouting
Guniting or Shotcrete

Damp-Proof Course (DPC)

Damp-proof course is when an impermeable material like bituminous felt paper, metal, slate, mastic asphalt, plastic or specially engineered bricks are imbedded between two layers of blocks or bricks into the mortar. This is usually done at the foundation level to keep moisture and dampness away from the interior of the building.Commonly used for protecting walls from dampness is lime cement plaster mix. Generally this is used in surface treatments of sodium and potassium silicate for water proofing. Other options are magnesium sulphate, barium hydroxide and zinc sulphate or aluminum for surface treatments.

Cavity Wall Construction

Cavity wall construction is when you separate the interior wall from the exterior wall leaving a cavity. This is done by leaving a physical separation, or hollow space, between the inner and outer walls. These are usually called ‘skins’ and is done by using masonry which is absorbent. The masonry blocks pull the moisture from the inner walls of the structure helping to keep it dry. There is also a layer of cavity wall insulation that goes in-between the two walls which helps stop heat loss from inside. This technique is also good for sound-proofing.

Do you need cavity wall construction? Contact Us!

Integral Damp Proofing

Installation of DPC is usually best left to professionals. Normally a bed of fresh mortar is laid down and the DPC is put on top of the mortar, making sure there are no holes or gaps. Then it is covered with fill material such as concrete.or calcium chlorides will react chemically to the water and fill the pores that way. Other compounds such as sodium ammonium can also be used in the concrete to react and have the concrete become water repellent.

Pressure Grouting

Pressure grouting is a mix of sand, water and cement that is place by pressurizing grout into the cracks, voids, fissures and joints in the masonry materials used to build with. This type of grouting can be used to improve bearing capacity, repairing and to prevent seepage by forming water cut-offs.

Surface Coating

Surface coating is layering a thin waterproof material that resists rain, like a thin layer of concrete that is mixed with compounds that help it to be water resistant or water proof.

Damp-Proof Membrane (DPM)

Damp-proof membrane is when a material like polyethylene sheeting is placed under a concrete slab. This creates a barrier to keep the moisture from the ground from getting into the concrete. DPM normally lays under the DPC as the liner.

Guniting or Shotcrete

Guniting or Shotcrete is when a layer of rich cement mortar mix or a fine aggregate mix is used for water proofing exposed areas like pipes or cisterns. A highly compressive strength can also be used for reconditioning and repairing as well.

Options We Offer Our Clients

- Damp Surveys – We will come to your home or business and investigate common areas that see water damage and evaluate your need for damp proofing those areas. You will receive recommendations on what we feel would best suit your needs.
- Basements – Common areas that need damp proofing are basements. We will discuss with you the various options available and decide which damp proofing solution works best based on our investigations.
- Internal – We can damp proof from the inside as well as the outside, so those areas will be evaluated as well, and then give options as to the risk and solution
- External – Since the exterior of your home or office is exposed to the elements, there could be many options of areas that need damp proofing and different ways to utilize them. We will provide you with the best options to choose from, and work with you to decide which will be the preferred method.
- Injecting – We will inject your open areas with a sealant to keep the damp out. This can also be used for repairing areas that have lost the mortar, and for keeping water away from the area.
- Water Proof Rendering – When damp proofing isn’t enough, we can do water proof rendering instead, usually used for areas like earth retaining walls and cellars. This will prevent damp walls or leaks in the future.

Do You Need to Damp Proof Your Home or Office?

While it is a personal decision, if you live in an area that has any kind of humidity at all, you are going towant some sort of damp proofing. Rain, fog, mist, underground water table; all will cause water damage over time if not protected from it. Some ways of dampness prevention to consider are making sure you are building on the higher ground, having exposed walls think enough to be safe against rain, bricks that are high quality and free from defects. You should use high quality cement mortar and all of the exposed surfaces should be covered with some kind of water proofing material.

We think it is better to be safe, then pay for the potential major repairs in the future. Our professionals can speak with you and help you find a solution that offers you’re the best options, while keeping the cost down and the time frame realistic.