Steps to Treating Rising Damp There are Five main steps to treating Rising Damp with Damp Proofing Cream Preparation - Prepare the wall for Damp Proof Cream Injection Drilling - Drill Holes within the masonry at the required size, depth and location Injection - Inject the cream into the wall Drying - Allow the Damp Proof Cream to dry Redecoration - Finish and Redecorate the wall Whenever Rising Damp is diagnosed it is important to have the condition correctly treated, as failure to do so can cause damage and devaluation to any property. It is not sufficient to simply cover up the problem with a special paint or coating in the hope that the problem will go away. Only by preventing the dampness rising up the wall in the first place can rising dampness be adequately controlled. Previous Methods - Liquid Chemical Treatments Until the introduction of Damp Proof Creams the most widely employed method of achieving an effective damp proof barrier was to inject Damp Proof Chemical Fluids into the wall under pressure. Although this method has proven to be very effective, Liquid Chemicals Treatments are known to have their fair share of disadvantages, for example: it introduces large amounts of liquid carrier into the wall, prolonging the drying out period. The process is also very slow and operator dependent. The application also requires the use of heavy and expensive electrical machinery, such as an Electric DPC Pump. What Damp Proof Creams are Available? At Platinum Chemicals, we supply a huge range of Premium Quality Damp Proof Cream products. Our Damp Proof Cream Products can easily be ordered online for delivery to your door. Furthermore, every Damp Proof Cream Product in our Online Store qualifies for FREE DELIVERY, regardless of the order value! We also supply a wide range of Damp Proof Cream Kits to suit any size of job, large or small. These Kits are supplied with the Damp Proof Cream, the appropriate Applicator and and SDS Drill Bit. Click here to Explore our Damp Proofing Cream Hub Page How Does Damp Proofing Cream Work? Damp Proof Cream is delivered by hand pressure from an appropriately sized applicator gun into a series of holes drilled into the mortar course. From here, the Damp Proof Cream works by migrating into the masonry pores and fully passivating across the mortar joint as the cream reverts to a liquid phase. Upon curing, a hydrophobic chemical damp-proof barrier is formed in situ. Extensive field experience with this technology demonstrates that our range of Damp Proof Creams will perform as well as any conventional liquid injection system against rising damp. How Effective is Damp Proof Cream? Damp Proof Creams can be very effective and are designed to control rising damp, but walls can remain damp after a DPC installation where they are severely contaminated with hydroscopic salts Re-plastering with an appropriate, salt-resistant product, such as Renovating Plaster or a sand/cement mix containing a suitable Render Additive, is essential to prevent further damage to the plaster finish. In all cases, the damp proof course should, as far as possible, be installed in accordance with the British Standard ‘Code of Practice for Installation of Chemical Damp Proof Courses’ BS6576:2005. What are the Benefits of using a Damp Proof Cream? Benefits of using High-Quality Damp Proof Cream include: Quick and Easy Installation - No “double drilling”, no waiting for fluid to soak in under pressure, and less scope for operator error. High Strength Formulations - Does not introduce large volumes of liquid carrier into the wall. Low Hazard - Non-caustic, non-flammable and not injected under pressure. Spillage and Mess Virtually Eliminated - No problems with fluid flooding through party walls. Consistent Application Rate - Easy to estimate the amount of material that will be required. No Electric DPC Pump Required - Can be used in situations where power is not available. How To Prepare a Wall For Damp Proof Cream Injection To prepare walls for the injection of Damp Proof Cream: Check and overhaul rainwater goods - Ensure they are clean and in good working order. Repair or install drains to carry away surface water. Form Trenches If Necessary - If internal floors are below external ground level, form trenches along the external face of the walls to at least 150mm below the proposed DPC level (where foundation depth allows). If this approach is not feasible the DPC must be placed at 150mm above external ground level and the internal walls tanked below the DPC to prevent lateral migration of moisture/ salts. Remove skirtings, fixings and render/plaster - This exposes the line of the proposed DPC (mortar bed). Internal plaster affected by hydroscopic salts is removed from the area to be treated to a height of 300mm above the maximum level of the Rising Damp. Check For Fungal Decay - Check Flooring timbers for signs of fungal decay and recommend repair/replacement as appropriate. Ensure wall cavities are cleared of debris. Drilling of Holes: Size, Depth & Location Drill 12mm diameter holes horizontally in the mortar bed at distances no greater than 120 mm. The depth of the hole required for various sizes of walls is shown in the table below (approx 90% of any given wall thickness). For walls of intermediate thickness, the depth of holes should be pro-rata. Where the masonry is irregular, ensure the horizontal drilling pattern targets the base of all perpends of the course selected. Drill hole depth required, dependent on wall thickness: Wall Thickness 115mm 230mm 345mm 460mm Depth of Hole 95mm 210mm 320mm 440mm How To Inject Damp Proof Cream Into Walls Prepare the Damp Proof Cream in the applicator. Drill 12mm diameter holes horizontally into the mortar joint as explained in the section above. Insert the applicator nozzle into the full depth of the pre-drilled hole. Squeeze the applicator trigger and backfill each hole fully with the Damp Proof Cream to within one centimetre of the surface. When treating cavity walls from one side make certain that the holes in each leaf are filled. Spilt material should be wiped up immediately and the wipes disposed of appropriately. Contaminated surfaces should be washed immediately with warm soapy water. If the Damp Proof Cream penetrates non-target surfaces (e.g. a patio slab) it will normally dry clear to finish. On external faces of walls, drill holes can be re-pointed using a matched mortar or can be plugged with DPC Injection Plugs (Available in a variety of colours). On internal faces. holes can be left open and plaster stopped short of the DPC. Final cure takes 2 - 6 weeks depending on the thickness of the wall. Our wide range of Damp Proof Creams is available in a range of different cartridge and container sizes so it is important to identify the correct applicator for the job. How Much Damp Proof Cream Do I Need? Below is a table which shows the Coverage Rates when applying a Damp Proof Cream. Please note that individual site conditions can cause variations, so always allow at least 10% extra when estimating the quantity of material required. Wall Thickness 4½" (115mm) 9" (230mm) 13½" (345mm) 18" (460mm) Borehole Depth 95mm 210mm 320mm 440mm Borehole Diameter 12mm 12mm 12mm 12mm Application Rate Per 10M 0.9L 1.9L 2.9L 3.9L Per 380ml Cartridge 4.5M 2.25M 1.12M 1.0M Per 1 Litre 11.25M 5.62M 2.80M 2.50M Finishing and Redecorating after a Damp Proof Course Finishing: The removal and replacement of internal salt contaminated plaster is an important part of an effective damp-proof course. Salts left behind by rising damp are hygroscopic and can cause future staining independent of any issues with structural dampness. It is therefore essential to follow specific re-plastering guidelines drawn up for dealing with the particular challenges posed by damp / salt-affected surfaces. It is advisable to leave walls injected with Damp Proof Cream to dry for as long as possible, and for at least 14 days, before removing excess salts and commencing replastering. It should be noted that whilst insertion of a chemical DPC inhibits further moisture from rising up into the wall, the moisture present before the DPC will take time to dry out. Redecoration: A damp wall takes time to dry out. As a general guide, the drying rate is given as 1 month for every 25mm of wall thickness (BRE Digest 163, ‘Drying out buildings’). Thus 230mm will take approximately 9 months to dry. However, the drying processes depend on conditions, ventilation and the type of masonry, so drying may take considerably longer. Due to the potentially prolonged drying of the wall, the following must be considered: Delay any decoration for 4-6 weeks following re-plastering and allow for good natural ventilation to enhance drying. Do not apply heat or accelerated drying methods. Do not use wallpaper for at least 12 months (longer on thick walls). Redecorate using a non-vinyl-based emulsion. Maintain good ventilation around walls. Note: The initial decorations should be regarded as temporary, the final decorations not taking place for at least 12 months after completion of the damp proofing and ancillary work. Platinum Chemicals - Providing High-Quality Products and Inspiring Confidence. At Platinum Chemicals, we pride ourselves on providing an excellent service every time, with bulk discounts and speedy delivery available. You can buy from Platinum Chemicals with confidence you’re getting the best products at excellent prices every time. If you require advice on these products please contact us on 01355 222777 or by emailing info@platinumchemicals.co.uk Main Image Credit: Wykamol Group - Ultracure DPC Cream
