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Rising Damp Specialists Scotland
Rising damp is a common problem that can cause damage to paint, plasterwork and decorations if left untreated. At Wise Property Care, we specialise in the effective diagnosis through a thorough survey, and the treatment of rising damp where necessary. This ensures your property remains protected and structurally sound. Our experienced team utilises advanced techniques and proven solutions to eradicate rising damp and prevent its recurrence. We are experts in rising damp diagnosis, treatment, and property preservation.
What is Rising Damp
Rising damp occurs when groundwater is drawn upwards through the porous materials of a building, such as bricks, mortar, and stone. This typically happens due to a defective or absent damp proof course (DPC), which acts as a barrier for moisture rising up the masonry.
Understanding the causes and signs of rising damp is crucial for early detection and effective treatment.
What Causes Rising Damp?
The height rising damp can achieve depends on several factors: groundwater level, rate of evaporation, pore size of masonry, salts and use of heating. Sandstone easily takes up water, whereas dense brick does not.
Buildings across Scotland may have a mix of damp proof courses or none at all. Typically in modern buildings this will be a roll of damp proof membrane laid along the brickwork, around two mortar courses up from ground level. This prevents moisture rising up the mortar or masonry. In older buildings they use slate damp proof courses or engineering bricks. Slate can be cracked by subsidence and this will allow moisture to rise upwards into the masonry.
Sometimes rising damp can occur even with damp proof courses, if they are bridged – allowing moisture to bypass the barrier. This can be seen if flowerbeds are installed at the side of a building, or if footpaths or driveways are raised above the damp proof course level.
Internally the damp proof course can be bridged by plasterwork. There is usually a gap at the bottom of the wall which is covered by the skirting board. If the plasterwork is taken down to a level below the damp proof course, this can cause a rising damp problem.
Debris in the cavity walls can also create a bridge across the damp proof course; this can be caused by excess mortar being thrown down the cavity during construction, it breaking and dropping down as it ages, or poor installation of cavity wall insulation allowing driving rain to wick across to the inner leaf.
How to Tell If You Have Rising Damp
Rising damp has telltale signs which differ from other forms of damp.
- Salty ‘tidemarks’ are a characteristic of rising damp, with the staining on the internal wall typically up to one metre high.
- The groundwater that rises up a wall contains a mix of hygroscopic salts, when the water evaporates it leaves these salty marks on the surface. This can cause plaster to deteriorate, wallpaper to peel, and paint to blister.
- In severe cases salt crystals can grow behind the plaster and cause it to ‘pop off’ the wall.
- The excess moisture can lead to a musty smell in affected areas.
Rising damp in Scotland can be commonly misdiagnosed. A professional and qualified surveyor will be able to correctly identify a damp problem, and whether it is caused by rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation. Using a range of specialist tools a surveyor can interpret readings and provide you with a detailed report outlining findings backed with photographic evidence.
Tide mark on external wall
Signs of Rising Damp on front of house
Damp proof course injection treatment to treat rising damp
How Do You Treat Rising Damp?
Wise Property Care offers a range of proven treatment solutions to address rising damp and prevent its recurrence. If you go ahead with recommended work detailed in the surveyor report, our experienced technicians will take care of your property from start to finish.
Running your hands around the interior walls where you suspect a rising damp problem will often cause a ‘crunching’ sound of the hygroscopic salts that have been drawn from the ground
Injection of a New Damp Proof Course (DPC)
This is the most common form of remedial damp proofing. As it is impossible to install a damp proof membrane, which is typically used during the building process, Wise Property Care are able to install a chemical damp proof course.
The damp proof injection cream works as the liquid silane and siloxane components spread by diffusion into the masonry and react with the available silica to form a waterproof barrier. This means the cream can be injected at intervals to leave a completely damp proofed mortar course.
It is important to use a high-quality, BBA-approved damp proofing product that has been tried and tested, so you know your property is protected long term.
Electro-Osmotic Systems
Electro-Osmotic systems can also be used in some properties. They use a low-voltage electrical current to repel moisture rising through the walls.
These are suitable for certain types of properties where a chemical damp proof course cannot be installed, and a surveyor will explain to you the reasons why they have recommended such a system.
Plastering and Rendering
After the damp proof course has been installed, it is important to use a salt retardant render on the affected walls. These walls may still be wet and contain hygroscopic salts within the masonry.
The salt retardant render will create a barrier preventing these salts from migrating through the newly installed plaster. The plastering is normally a sand and cement render mix followed by a skim coat. Externally the injection holes are filled with mortar.
Certain properties may require specialist finishes, such as lime plaster. Wise Property Care can liaise with the homeowner for any specific requirements for older, heritage or listed buildings.
Cavity Wall Drainage Membranes
For high ground levels, cavity wall drainage membranes can be used in conjunction with a new damp proof course to provide additional protection against rising damp.
The Wise Property Care Approach to Rising Damp
Our approach to identifying and treating a rising damp problem is thorough and systematic, ensuring every aspect is addressed with you in mind. We follow a bespoke process to deliver reliable and lasting solutions.
Why Choose Wise Property Care to Tackle Rising Damp?
Don’t let rising damp compromise the integrity of your property. Book a professional survey to correctly identify your damp problem.
Contact Wise Property Care today for a property survey and expert advice. Our team is ready to provide you with a detailed report and recommendations for any damp problems.
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