Damp Proofing London-Surrey. Things you should know!

Carrying out damp proofing works can be disruptive, noisy and dusty but our fully experienced Tapco HomeDry operative are fully aware of this and can protect the areas to be treated using special floor protection and screening. Most damp proofing contracts involve removing the skirting timbers and salt contaminated wall plaster (This is the dusty bit) and then injecting a ‘cream’ chemical damp proof course to the base of the walls. The exposed walls are then prepared and replastered strictly in accordance with our damp proof plastering specification. Sound skirting timbers will then be treated using a high performance timber preservative and refitted. We cannot express enough the importance of us carrying out the plastering because we know from years of experience that no matter how convincing and cheap your builder is it is very unlikely that he will carry it out correctly, which can result in continuing damp and invalidate your guarantee. A bit extra spent now, doing it right. can save a lot in the future.

Unfortunately and what most people don’t realise is that some serious ‘after care’ is needed by the client for some time after we have finished.

• The damp proofed walls should not be dried too quickly with excessive heat because this could cause cracking to the render coat.
• Masonry in the UK dry’s at a rate of 1 inch (25m/m) per thickness of wall per month ie a 9 inch (225m/m) solid brick wall which has been plastered and externally rendered could take over 12 months to dry. Taking readings prior to 12 months will only confirm what we know ‘the wall is still damp’.
• Walls below external ground levels that have been structurally water proofed ‘tanked’ should not be drilled or pierced without the cavities being re-damp proofed by Tapco HomeDry.
• Under to circumstances should the newly damp proofed walls be decorated with a paint containing vinyl. This will seriously restrict the natural drying out and will have to be removed. Only ‘mist coats’ of water based Dulux (or similar) ‘Trade’ emulsion paint can be used and not for a minimum of three weeks following completion of the damp proofing. The walls should not be wallpapered or lined until the walls are completely dry.
• It is very important to keep your property free from high humidity (condensation) and rain penetration at all times. Failure to do so could cause further damp and timber decay and invalidate your guarantee.

Prior to instructing us to carry out a Guarantee Claim Inspection please ask yourself the following questions.

• Has the work been completed for over 12 months? (This is the minimum time it takes for a damp wall to fully dry)
• Have the damp proofed walls been painted using two ‘mist coats’ (these are watered down coats) of Dulux TRADE Emulsion Paint to allow the walls to breathe? Please check the can and have it available for our surveyor.
• Have the damp proofed walls been lined with lining paper, wall papered or painted with Vinyl Based Emulsion Paint? If so this has to be removed and the walls need to dry for a minimum of 12 months.
• Have you inspected the areas externally to see if there is any reason for rain penetration? If there are building defects these should be attended to without delay.
• Is it possible there is a plumbing leak? Maybe from a washing machine, sink unit, bathroom or leaking plumbing?
• Is the property affected by High Humidity (Condensation)? This will be evident by water droplets on the windows, cold walls damp to the touch or Black Mould Fungus (Aspergilla spp).
• Have any of the structurally waterproofed walls been drilled or cut into?
• Have you experienced any water damage or flooding?

If you are unsure about any of the above you should instruct us to re-inspect the areas of concern and take moisture readings and samples to be analysed.

Tapco HomeDry have been damp proofing property in London, Surrey and the Home Counties for over 45 years and are long term members of the Property Care Association (PCA) and Trust Mark (Government Endorsed Standards). Our 20 year guarantee can be protected by Guarantee Protection Insurance (GPI).