What is damp masonry?
What is damp masonry?
Rising damp is the upward movement of ground water through a permeable masonry wall. The water rises through the pores in the masonry via a process called capillarity. Dampness tends to cause many problems to a building with dire health, environmental, social and economic implications.
Is rising damp serious?
Rising damp can cause superficial damage to an internal wall, as well as structural damage to timber and masonry. It harbours mould too, which can result in health problems for you and your family.
How do you fix rising damp?
The most effective and economical way to treat rising damp is with a damp proofing injection cream. You can choose between complete kits or individual cartridges of cream from leading brands such as Kiesol C and Aida. The cream is injected or hand-pumped into specially-positioned holes in the mortar course.
What is the main cause of rising damp?
Rising damp is caused by moisture ascending through capillaries which are found in masonry. Capillaries are thin, lengthy tubes (pores) which are very small within the material. Within masonry, these tubes can often differ considerably in their thickness.
How do I stop damp coming through walls?
Damp Walls – 23 Ways to Reduce Damp in Your Home
- Air out your home regularly – particularly if you don’t have the heating on much.
- Heat every room of your home.
- Feel the walls.
- Make sure air can circulate freely around your home.
- Check pipes, drains and guttering to make sure that it isn’t blocked.
Does rising damp dry out?
In severe cases Rising damp can be identified by a characteristic “tide mark”. This mark is found on the lower section of affected walls where the rising damp is drying out through the plaster. Rising damp also brings nitrate and chloride salts up from the ground.
Can you fix rising damp yourself?
How do you fix rising damp? The only way to treat rising damp is to create a new damp-proofing course to prevent moisture movement through the structure. Historically, walls were cut into and masonry removed to install a new physical damp-proofing course along the masonry line.
Where does the rising damp in masonry come from?
Rising damp occurs as a result of capillary suction of moisture from the ground into porous masonry building materials such as stone, brick, earth and mortar. The moisture evaporates from either face of the wall (inside or outside), allowing more to be drawn from below.
What can rising damp do to a building?
What Is Rising Damp? Rising or lateral damp is a condition found in masonry buildings that, if left untreated can cause progressive damage such as deterioration of bricks and morter, rotting of timber and the spread of rust in steel reinforcement known as concrete cancer.
What is the normal height of rising damp?
The moisture evaporates from either face of the wall (inside or outside), allowing more to be drawn from below. The height to which the moisture will rise is determined by the evaporation rate and the nature of the wall. The normal limit for rising damp ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 metres above ground level.
What causes the damp on the inside of a wall?
Rising damp in internal walls is caused by the same movement of ground water up through the brickwork by capillary action. It is the result of a failed or non-existant DPC or when the DPC has been bridged. Rising damp can affect both internal and external walls.