Damp Proofing London
What is Damp Proofing and How You Can Get it Done?
Damp proofing is a type of protection that controls moisture. A damp-proof membrane is applied to the building’s walls and floors to prevent the moisture from seeping in. As the name suggests it proofs the walls and floors of a building from damping. Damp is a common problem that most of the residences suffer from. It happens when water, condensation, and moisture are present within the walls and floorings of a building. It can be very destructive to the building’s infrastructure if not treated and left unattended. Damp doesn’t just affect your building but also has a negative effect on your health. The main cause of dampness is when the moisture from the outside enters the property or starts building inside it.
How to check if your property has dampness?
As you know now how damaging damp can be, you must find out if your property has dampness so you can get damp proofing.
Damp can occur in any part or corner of your building. We are mentioning a few symptoms through which you can find out if your property has damp or not.
The symptoms of damps are:
- Dry or wet rot growing on walls.
- Black molds or fungi on walls.
- Musty, damp smell coming from walls.
- Crumbling of plaster or brick.
- Deterioration of paint.
How to prevent dampness?
If your building has damp, then you need to prevent it from spreading and you need to stop the dampness. Dampness can be controlled and prevented through damp proofing. There are several different ways to damp proof such as damp-proof course, damp-proof membrane, pressure grouting, integral damp proofing, etc. We, at London Elite Trades, provide you with all kinds of different damp proofing ways through which we make sure that your house or building is damp proof.
What are the different damp proofing methods?
Here, we will be mentioning in detail all the damp proofing methods that are offered so that you can choose the one that works the best for you.
Guniting or Shotcreting is when a layer of rich cement mortar mix or a fine aggregate mix is used for waterproofing exposed areas like pipes or cisterns. Highly compressive strength can also be used for reconditioning and repairing as well.
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 waterproof.
A damp-proof membrane is also one of the most popular methods when it comes to damp proofing. In damp-proof membrane method, a material like polyethylene sheeting is placed under a concrete slab. This damp proofing method creates a barrier to keep the moisture from the ground from getting into the concrete. DPM normally lays under the DPC as the liner.
Pressure grouting is a mix of sand, water, and cement that is placed by pressurizing grout into the cracks, voids, fissures, and joints in the masonry materials used to build with. This damp proofing method of grouting can be used to improve bearing capacity, repair, and prevent seepage by forming water cut-offs.
This is the most popular option for damp proofing. The masonry used for this is multi-layered allowing for optimum protection for the surfaces and room. The mortar is sandwiched between various materials to form an impregnable and water-proof structure.
A damp-proof course describes an impermeable material like bituminous felt paper, metal, slate, mastic asphalt, plastic, or specially engineered bricks. These are then embedded between two layers of blocks or bricks within the mortar. This method of damp proofing is usually done at the foundation level to keep moisture and dampness away from the interior of the building. The material usually employed for this damp-proof course is lime cement plaster mix. Generally, this is used in surface treatments of sodium and potassium silicate for waterproofing – Other options are magnesium sulfate, barium hydroxide, and zinc sulfate or aluminum for surface treatments. To install DPC damp proofing, 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.
Damp-proof course describes an impermeable material like bituminous felt paper, metal, slate, mastic asphalt, plastic or specially engineered bricks. These are then embedded between two layers of blocks or bricks within the mortar.
This is usually done at the foundation level to keep moisture and dampness away from the interior of the building.
The material usually employed for this process 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.
Installation of DPC damp proofing
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.
This is the most popular option for damp proofing. The masonry we use for this is multi-layered allowing for optimum protection for the surfaces and room.
The mortar is sandwiched between various materials to form an impregnable and water-proof structure.
Pressure Grouting
Pressure grouting is a mix of sand, water and cement that is placed by pressurising 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 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.
If you live in an area that has any kind of humidity you will want some sort of damp proofing. Rain, fog, mist and underground water tables will all cause water damage (over time and if not protected).
When building to prevent dampness, we consider all variables of the project or build, but specifically focus on exposed walls, location and layout.
We think it is better to be safe than sorry. Rather than pay for the potential repairs if something were to go wrong, why not be the wiser and save some money in the long-run. Simply having the wall, room or space looked at by one of our highly skilled trademan is free and could save you £’s! We’ve worked with a large list of clients just like you, across London and the home counties
Damp Proofing at London Elite Trades
We, at London Elite Trades, offer a thorough and tested damp proofing service across London and the Greater London area. Starting with a professional damp survey, our experts utilize a range of techniques to ensure that your property is protected from damp. Our expertise in damp proofing relies on the mastery of various techniques, which include all of the methods of damp proofing mentioned above. Depending on the assessments of our experts, we will advise you on the most appropriate damp proofing technique for your needs. Our services cover all aspects of your property, including internal areas, external areas, and basements.
Why London Elite Trades is the best for your damp proofing?
If you live in an area that has any kind of humidity you will want some sort of damp proofing. Rain, fog, mist, and underground water tables will all cause water damage (over time and if not protected). When building to prevent dampness, we consider all variables of the project or build, but specifically focus on exposed walls, location, and layout. We think it is better to be safe than sorry. Rather than pay for the potential repairs if something were to go wrong, why not be the wiser and save some money in the long run. Simply having the wall, room or space looked at by one of our highly skilled tradesmen is free and could save you £s! We’ve worked with a large list of clients just like you, across London and the home counties.
