Frequently Asked Questions
Spotting rising damp early prevents serious property damage. Key signs include tide marks, yellow or brown stains along skirting boards, and salt deposits on plaster. As moisture rises through the walls by capillary action, salts are left behind, often creating a damp smell, fluffy white deposits, or crumbling plaster. Black mould at skirting board level can also indicate rising damp, while peeling wallpaper and bubbling paint are common warnings. If you suspect rising damp, our damp proofing specialists can provide a free survey and tailored damp treatment to protect your home.
In older properties, there may be no original damp proof course (DPC) at all, which leaves walls unprotected against moisture from the ground. Even where a DPC exists, many early systems made from slate or bitumen felt only last 20–25 years before breaking down. Once the DPC fails, moisture travels upwards through mortar and brickwork, causing internal damp patches, blown plaster, bubbling paint and salt eruptions. If left untreated, rising damp can spread further and lead to structural issues, so timely DPC installation or remedial treatment is essential.
Penetrating damp occurs when external defects allow water to soak through walls. Common causes include cracked masonry, porous brickwork, defective render, leaking gutters, missing roof tiles, or poorly sealed window and door frames. Ground levels higher than internal floors can also lead to damp ingress, especially in basements and cellars. Left untreated, penetrating damp can damage plaster, timber, and internal finishes. Our penetrating damp treatment stops water penetration, restores your walls, and ensures long-term protection with professional waterproofing solutions.
A damp proof course (DPC) is a barrier that prevents moisture from the ground rising into a property’s walls. Membrane DPCs are laid during construction at least 150mm above ground level, while chemical DPCs are remedial solutions used when the original barrier has failed. Damp proof injection is one of the most common methods, where a water-repellent cream is introduced into the wall to form a new barrier. Our team specialise in both DPC installation and damp proofing treatments, ensuring your property stays dry and protected.
Damp proof injection creams are designed to penetrate deep into masonry. The active ingredient, silane, lines the pores of the brick or stone and cures to form a long-lasting water-repellent barrier. Unlike physical membranes, this method creates an invisible defence against rising damp while allowing the wall to breathe. Depending on the property, injections can be applied using low- or high-pressure techniques. As damp proofing specialists, we recommend the most effective method for each property to ensure permanent results.