Rising Damp Prevention Starts During Construction
The most effective rising damp treatment is prevention.
A properly constructed building should contain a continuous system preventing groundwater and surface moisture from entering floors and walls.
Two of the most important components are the Damp-Proof Course (DPC) and Damp-Proof Membrane (DPM).
Damp-Proof Course
A DPC is installed horizontally through masonry walls to prevent moisture from travelling upward through bricks or blocks.
It should remain continuous throughout the building and should generally be positioned sufficiently above external ground level to avoid being bridged by soil, paving or landscaping.
A commonly adopted detail is approximately 150 mm above finished external ground level, although the final detail should follow the project design and applicable standards.
One frequent problem occurs after construction when new paving, soil or landscaping is raised above the DPC.
This effectively allows moisture to bypass the barrier.
Damp-Proof Membrane
A DPM protects the building from moisture rising through ground floors.
A typical ground-floor build-up may comprise compacted hardcore, sand blinding, a damp-proof membrane, concrete slab, screed and final floor finish.
The most important detail is continuity between the floor DPM and wall DPC.
Any gaps at this junction can become potential moisture paths.
Drainage Matters Too
Even properly installed membranes perform better when the building has good water management.
External surfaces should therefore direct water away from the building. Gutters and downpipes should discharge properly, drains should remain functional and standing water should not accumulate against foundations.
The building should be viewed as a complete moisture-control system rather than individual waterproofing products.
Build it correctly from the beginning
Correct damp-proofing during construction is normally far less expensive than removing plaster, injecting walls and repairing finishes several years after completion.
At Tetrabuild, waterproofing details can be incorporated during construction to reduce the risk of future moisture-related defects.
