Is Rising Damp a Problem for you?

Certainly, the simplest way to find out whether you’ve got rising damp is to use your hands. Feel the wall. If the wallpaper has a ‘crunching’ sound, this will be the sound of the salts that have seeped up from the ground. If you’re looking at the actual exposed brickwork, check to see if the wall is wet and if any salts are forming there. If rising damp is an issue, it has the potential to have a disastrous effect on your property. Certainly, the longer that you leave rising damp untreated, the costlier it could potentially be both from a financial and building work perspective.

If you’ve noticed a tideline mark on your walls that looks like it’s rising up from the ground level, whether inside or outside, it’s a probable indication that you’ve got a problem with rising damp at your property. It may be however that you’ve spotted a powdery substance on your walls. Another sign could be on your skirting boards. Maybe you’ve noticed that they’re starting to deteriorate. There may be patches of mould growing. All of these could be signs of an issue with moisture that’s getting into your walls from the ground upwards.

So what is rising damp?

In its simplest terms, rising damp is where groundwater manages to seep upwards into the concrete, up into the walls and floors. Bricks and mortar are particularly porous, so basically they draw water up just like a sponge. With the moisture that comes from the groundwater, this also brings salts and other impurities. And certainly, all of these can have a major detrimental effect if not treated.

A traditional solution for rising damp is to fit chemical damp proofing – more as a preventative, proactive approach. This normally involves holes being drilled into walls, with a silicone damp proofing solution injected into the holes, followed by re-plastering and not to mention hacking at the existing plaster work. All with the hope that it will reduce the amount of liquid flowing through to your walls or floors.

An original damp course, or alternatively fitting a horizontal slate damp proof course, can be a preventative option to combatting rising damp. The horizontal slate damp proof course is actually a process that’s been happening since the Roman times. However, it doesn’t have a massively long life span and can struggle when it comes to the wall expanding and contracting due to moisture collection. And certainly, if the course hasn’t been fitted or positioned properly, it’s more liable to fail. Plus, if you don’t have a guarantee in place, you’re likely to have to arrange costly upkeep to maintain the damp course.

Rising Damp Solution

If you’re looking for a tried and tested alternative to create a horizontal barrier that’s great for the environment as well as your home, the Schrijver system allows your brickwork to become ventilated, so that moisture is able to evaporate naturally. By not using any chemical solutions, the Schrijver system is an eco-friendly permanent option that is guaranteed for life. By removing any moisture naturally, it gives you a lot greener and more cost-effective option. And not only that, the installation won’t have any impact on the interior of your home either.?