How Faulty Damp Proofing might cost you a Fortune

Damp proofing is a key element for the protection of your home. Faulty damp proofing or no damp proofing in your home might see your home threatened by the spectre of rising damp. The damp rises from the floor up the walls causing wall paper, plaster and paint to peel off the walls. Home owners all over the British Isles are afflicted by this condition every year causing households to incur thousands and thousands of pounds in damages and repairs. If you have a basement you have all the more need for properly waterproofing it.  Any structure built below the ground level is susceptible to water damage. When groundwater in the region builds up and raises the water table, the resultant increase in the hydrostatic pressure forces water through the cracks in the foundation structure beneath the basement floor and this water travels through cracks in the walls through openings caused by the expansion and contraction. This condition may lead to major structural damage.

Water proofing and damp proofing may be achieved by using a variety of chemical sealants to block seepage or entry points for water. Epoxies and urethanes are common chemical sealants that may be injected into openings to cut off the path of seepages. These repairs are effective for long term maintenance. This type of damp proofing is not effective for masonry foundations. A recent method of waterproofing includes use of polymer based products that are not affected by soil pH. They have low viscosity and so can be sprayed on to the wall directly with fast curing.

Faulty damp proofing may be rectified by reinstalling the course using silicone based damp proof that effectively seals off the home from moisture. The silicone based cream reacts with the brickwork to create a water repellent resin that dries rapidly.

As mentioned earlier, basements are more prone to damp. Depending on how you use your basement, there are several ways to protect it from water damage. If you use it mainly for storage and if the brickwork is in reasonably good condition, 2 coats of epoxy system would be sufficient. If on the other hand, you want to convert your basement into a living area or bedroom, you can use the cavity drainage membrane system. In this system moisture that penetrates the walls is arrested by a plastic membrane that does not allow it to enter the living space but deflects it into a drain that goes to a sump pump. This enables the space to remain practically dry. Ask for professional help if you are not confident in doing a DIY damp proofing. Derby home owners can consult masons specially trained in these jobs.