DIY GUIDE 10 EASY STEPS FOR TREATMENT OF RISING DAMP

DIY GUIDE 10 EASY STEPS FOR TREATMENT OF RISING DAMP

CONTENTS WHAT IS RISING DAMP STEP 1 SURVEY STEP 2 METER READINGS STEP 3 CONCLUSION STEP 4 PREPARATION FOR TREATMENT STEP 5 TYPE OF TREATMENT STEP 6 TREATMENT STEP 7 REINSTATEMENT STEP 8 REPLASTERING STEP 9 REPLACEMENT OF TIMBER STEP 10 - REDECORATION IF YOU REQUIRE ADVICE OR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BPC AND ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP THIS PUBLICATION IS ONLY A SHORT DIY GUIDE ON THE TREATMENT OF RISING DAMP BY INJECTION CREAMS AND NO GUARANTEE OR LIABILITY IS ASSUMED FOR THE INFORMATION GIVEN AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A REMEDIAL SURVEY. THE FOLLOWING PAGES DO NOT PROMOTE ANY ONE MANUFACTURER AND WE RECOMMEND YOU FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME RANDOM STONE WALLS WITHOUT AN EVEN MORTAR COURSE MAY BE MORE SUITED TO AN ELECTRO-OSMOTIC SYSTEM NOT COVERED BY THIS GUIDE G. BURNS CSRT 2010

WHAT IS RISING DAMP RISING DAMP IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS IN OLDER PROPERTIES CAUSED BY GROUND WATER RISING THROUGH THE MORTAR BEDS OF BRICK OR STONEWORK WHEN THERE IS NO DAMP PROOF COURSE OR A DEFECTIVE DAMP PROOF COURSE THE SIGNS OF RISING DAMP CAN INCLUDE A TIDEMARK OR STAINING OF WALLS ABOVE THE SKIRTING BOARDS TO THREE FOOT HIGH SALT ON WALL PLASTERWORK OR PAINT FALLING OFF DAMP PATCHES THAT COME AND GO A COLD OR DAMP WALL THE HEIGHT TO WHICH THE WATER WILL RISE DEPENDS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPERTY BUT IS NORMALLY ABOUT ONE METER HIGH. GROUND WATER CONTAINS SOLUBLE SALTS THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE WATER EVAPORATES ON THE AFFECTED WALL AND OVER TIME CAUSE CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SURFACE. GROUND WATER SALTS ARE HYGROSCOPIC ( THEY ABSORB MOISTURE ) SO EVEN IF YOU CONTROL THE RISING DAMP AT THE SOURCE THE SALTS ALONE CAN CAUSE THE WALL TO STAY DAMP. LISTED BELOW ARE 10 EASY STEPS TO CONTROL RISING DAMP IF YOU REQUIRE ADVICE OR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BPC AND ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP BPC SALES AND SERVICE 0289 337 337 8837

STEP 1 - SURVEY THE FIRST STEP IN CONTROLLING RISING DAMP IS TO SURVEY YOUR PROPERTY AND LIST ANY FAULTS TO ELIMINATE ANY OTHER SOURCES OF WATER INGRESS IT WILL HELP TO WRITE DOWN YOUR RESULTS FOR THE NET STAGE ETERNAL OBSERVATION CHIMNEY RAINWATER GOODS CRACKS IN WALLS WINDOW AND DOOR SEALS HIGH GROUND LEVEL BRIDGED OVER EISTING D.P.C. AIR VENTS HEIGHT OF FLOORS NET DOOR INTERNAL OBSERVATION ROT AT SKIRTING BOARDS WOODEN GROUND FLOOR ROT SALT ON WALLS MOULD GROWTH SIGNS OF DAMP ON ALL WALLS IF YOUR PROPERTY HAS A CAVITY WALL ALWAYS ENSURE THAT THE CAVITY IS CLEAR. IF THERE IS DAMP AND WOOD THERE IS ROT. CHECK AND RECHECK

STEP 2 METER READINGS TAKE METER READINGS OF THE AFFECTED GROUND FLOOR WALLS IF YOU HAVE A DAMP METER IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DAMP METER YOU COULD USE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND TO SEE IF THE AREA IS MORE DAMP AT THE TOP OR BOTTOM OF WALL. A MOISTURE METER CAN BE USEFUL IN ESTABLISHING IF YOU HAVE RISING DAMP BUT CANNOT GIVE ABSOLUTE PROOF DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF SOME WALLS IF READINGS ARE HIGHER AT BOTTOM OF WALL AND CUT OFF ABOUT 1 METER HIGH YOU HAVE RISING DAMP IF READINGS ARE HIGHER AT THE TOP OF WALL YOU HAVE PENETRATING DAMP OR CONDENSATION IF READINGS ARE LOW TOP AND BOTTOM AND CONCENTRATED ON MIDDLE OF WALL 1 METER UP YOU HAVE EITHER CONTAMINATED PLASTERWORK OR A FAILED TREATMENT CARRIED OUT BEFORE IF WALL IS DAMP FOR ONLY 100mm ABOVE A SOLID FLOOR IT MAY BE A DEFECTIVE DPC TO DPM JOINT BPC CAN SUPPLY YOU AN AFFORDABLE MOISTURE METER TO MAKE A MORE ACCURATE SURVEY OF WALLS

STEP 3 - CONCLUSION COMPARE YOUR INTERNAL OBSRVATIONS TO THIS CHART PENETRATING CONDENSATION RISING DAMP SALT ON WALL DAMP LESS THAN 1-2 METER HIGH STAINS ON WALL ABOUT 1 METER HIGH MOULD ON CEILING AND TOP OF WALLS METER READING HIGHER AT BOTTOM OF WALL DAMP FIRST FLOOR AND ABOVE ROT IN SKIRTINGS ONLY CONSIDER TREATMENT FOR RISING DAMP AFTER YOU HAVE ELIMINATED ALL OTHER CAUSES OF DAMP. PLEASE CONTACT BPC IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS WILL BE GLAD TO HELP. IF YOUR DAMP PROBLEM IS MORE THAN ONE METER HIGH WITH NO SALT ON THE SURFACE AND BLACK MOULD IN THE ROOMS IT MAY BE CONDENSATION NOT RISING DAMP LOOK AT OUR DIY CONDENSATION CONTROL

STEP 4 - PREPARATION FOR TREATMENT LOWER GROUND LEVELS IF REQUIRED CHECK FOR ANY BRIDGING OF THE DAMP PROOF COURSE LINE REMOVE SKIRTINGS, DO NOT REUSE SKIRTING IF ROT IS PRESENT REMOVE AFFECTED INTERNAL PLASTERWORK TO A MINIMUM OF 1 METER HIGH OR 300mm ABOVE AFFECTED PLASTERWORK REMOVE ALL TIMBER FIINGS RAKE OUT MORTAR JOINTS BRUSH AND CLEAN AREA ENSURE AREA IS PROTECTED FROM ACCIDENTAL SPILLAGE READ ALL SAFETY INFORMATION AND INSTALLATION MATERIAL IF YOU HAVE A PARTY WALL, EPLAIN TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS WHY AND WHEN YOU ARE DOING THE WORK ALWAYS WEAR THE APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT (PPE) BEFORE YOU CHIP OR DRILL WALLS THINK SAFETY FIRST ARE THERE ANY PIPES OR CABLES IN WALLS ALWAYS TURN POWER AND WATER OFF TO THE ROOMS YOU ARE WORKING IN

STEP 5-TYPE OF TREATMENT UNTIL RECENTLY THE TREATMENT OF RISING DAMP WAS ONLY CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONAL REMEDIAL TECHNICIANS LIKE BPC USING PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE INJECTION MACHINES OR BY ELECTRO- OSMOTIC SYSTEMS THAT CAN BE VERY EPENSIVE NOW BY USING OUR KNOWLEDGE AND PRODUCTS THAT WE RECOMMEND YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF SAVING A LOT OF MONEY AND HAVING PEACE OF MIND THAT IT IS DONE THE WAY YOU WANTED IT DONE. THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR YOU TO TREAT RISING DAMP IS BY INJECTING A CREAM BASED SILICONE INTO THE WALL THE BENEFITS ARE LITTLE OR NO ODOUR SAFE TO USE NO EPENSIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED MAIMUM RESULTS USED BY PROFESSIONALS BBA APPROVED EASY TO INSTALL THE CREAM IS INJECTED INTO HOLES BY A CARTRIDGE GUN OR PROFESSIONAL APPLICATOR 380cc CARTRIDIGE CAN BE INJECTED BY A SILICONE GUN 1 LITRE CARTRIDGE REQUIRES A PROFESSIONAL APPLICATOR GUN 3 LITRE TUB REQUIRES A PRESSURE APPLICATOR PUMP NOT ALL INJECTION CREAMS ARE THE SAME THE TYPE WE RECOMMEND IS BEING USED BY US EVERDAY AND IS PROVEN TO WORK

STEP 6 - TREATMENT MANUFACTURERS HAVE THEIR OWN RECOMMENDATIONS YOU MUST FOLLOW BUT ALL AGREE ON THESE GOLDEN RULES ALWAYS INJECT 150mm OR MORE ABOVE GROUND LEVEL INJECT CREAMS INTO MORTAR JOINT NOT BRICKWORK INJECT BELOW TIMBER FLOORS JOISTS IF POSSIBLE DRILL HOLES 100 120 mm CENTRE TO CENTRE MARK DRILL BIT AND DRILL ¾ THROUGH MORTAR JOINT IT IS BEST TO TREAT CAVITY WALLS SEPARATELY TREAT SOLID BRICK WALLS FROM ONE SIDE TREAT SOLID STONE WALLS FROM BOTH SIDES TREAT ABUTTING WALLS WITH VERTICAL DPC BELOW IS AN EAMPLE OF DEPTHS REQUIRED FOR INJECTION OF A CREAM WALL THICKNESS DEPTH OF HOLE HOLE CENTRES 110mm 220mm 330mm 440mm 90mm 190mm 300mm 410mm 100-120mm 100-120mm 100-120mm 100-120mm A GUIDE 0N INJECTING A DAMP PROOF COURSE SILICONE CREAM DRILL A 12mm HOLE IN MORTAR COURSE TO THE CORRECT DEPTH DRILL 150mm ABOVE ETERNAL GROUND LEVEL DRILL HOLES 100-120mm CENTRE TO CENTRE IF YOU HAVE AN ABUTTING WALL DRILL VERTICAL HOLES IN MORTAR COURSE FILL HOLES WITH OUR RECOMMENDED INJECTION CREAM STARTING AT BOTTOM OF HOLE AND WORKING BACK CAP ETERNAL HOLES WITH PLASTIC CAPS OR MORTAR IF GROUND FLOOR IS LOWER THAN OUTSIDE, THE INSIDE WALL CAN BE TANKED ( A 100% WATERPROOF CEMENT OR COMPOUND ) TO THE DAMP PROOF COURSE LINE BPC CAN SUPPLY THE MATERIALS REQUIRED TO DO THIS

STEP 7 - REINSTATEMENT IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET THE TREATED WALL DRY FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE YOU RENDER AND REPLASTER THE WALL TO LET THE CREAM SET IF YOU CANNOT WAIT THIS TIME THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WATERPROOF MEMBRANES BPC CAN SUPPLY TO DRY-LINE OR PLASTER OVER IF YOUR EISTING FLOOR DOES NOT HAVE A DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE (A SHEET OF HEAVY PLASTIC UNDER CONCRETE FLOOR ) WE RECOMMEND YOU TREAT THE FLOOR WITH A LATE SELF LEVELLING COMPOUND AND OVERLAP TO WALL WITH AN EPOY MATERIAL FILL HOLES ON OUTSIDE WALLS WITH WATERPROOF CEMENT OR PLASTIC PLUGS SUPPLIED BY BPC IF YOUR PROPERTY HAS ANY SOLID RED BRICK OR STONEWORK WE RECOMMEND YOU TREAT THE ETERIOR WALLS WITH A WATER REPELLANT IF YOU ARE NOT TREATING ALL THE ETERNAL WALLS OF YOUR PROPERTY YOU CAN TREAT THE BASE WITH A HEAVY DUTY RAIN REPELLANT AS THIS IS THE AREA MOST AFFECTED BY PENETRATING RAIN

STEP 8 - REPLASTERING IT IS IMPORTANT YOU FOLLOW THIS SPECIFICATION AND DO NOT USE BONDING PLASTER IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU USE GRADE M PLASTERING SAND ( THIS IS NORMALLY THE SAND BUILDING SUPPLIERS USE IN PREPACK FORM) ALWAYS INCLUDE A SALT INHIBITOR IN FIRST COAT DO NOT GO PAST THE INJECTED DPC MORTAR COURSE ALWAYS LEAVE A GAP OF APPRO 1 ½ - 2 INCH BETWEEN PLASTERWORK AND FLOOR IF WALL IS BEING TANKED OR EPOY MATERIAL USED PLEASE FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE PRINCIPLE IS THE SAME TANK OR EPOY FROM THE INJECTED DPC ON WALL AND LAP WITH DPM ON FLOOR IF THERE IS NO DPM ON FLOOR MAKE A FILLET SEAL AND TANK OR EPOY ACROSS FLOOR FOR100mm AND COVER FLOOR WITH A LATE COMPOUND IF THE WALL IS ECESSIVELY CONTAMINATED WITH SALT IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TANK THE WALL BEFORE REPLASTERING FIRST COAT OF SAND AND CEMENT AT 3-1 MI ABOUT 12mm THICK AND INCLUDE A SALT INHIBITOR FROM BPC DOWN TO THE DPC MORTAR COURSE SECOND COAT SAND AND CEMENT AT 3-1 MI ABOUT 12mm THICK SALT INHIBATOR NOT REQUIRED 1-2 COATS OF PLASTER FINISH ( NOT BONDING ) IF YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLID BRICK OR STONE CONSTRUCTION WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU INSULATE WALL BY FIING THERMAL PLASTERBOARD TO WALL BEFORE PLASTER FINISH

STEP 9 - REPLACEMENT OF TIMBER IF YOU HAVE A WOODEN GROUND FLOOR CHECK FOR ROT AGAINST THE DAMP WALL ANY AFFECTED TIMBER SHOULD BE REPLACED BY TREATED TIMBER WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU PHYSICALLY ISOLATE ANY TIMBER IN CONTACT WITH THE DAMP WALL BY JOIST HANGERS HONEYCOMB BEARING WALL PHYSICAL DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE IF YOU CANNOT ISOLATE TIMBER YOU CAN TREAT TIMBER INSITU USING INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS THAT BPC CAN SUPPLY TO YOU DO NOT NAIL YOUR TREATED SKIRTING BOARD TO THE WALL IT IS BEST TO STICK THE BOARD WITH A BUILDERS ADHESIVE

STEP 10 - REDECORATION THE TREATED WALL WILL TAKE TIME TO DRY OUT, A SOLID 230mm WALL CAN TAKE UP TO 9 10 MONTHS TO DRY YOU CAN WORK OUT THE DRYING TIME YOURSELF USING THE KNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY 25mm WILL TAKE 1 MONTH TO DRY IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU TREAT THE INITIAL DECORATION AS TEMPORARY DELAY INITIAL DECORATION FOR UP TO 4 WEEKS AFTER REPLASTERING FINAL DECORATION - WAIT UNTIL ONE YEAR AFTER REPLASTERING DO NOT WALLPAPER WALL FOR UP TO 1 YEAR USE BREATHABLE PAINT THE NEW RANGE OF DAMP PROOF MEMBRANES BPC SUPPLY CAN CUT DOWN DRYING TIMES IF YOU CANNOT WAIT