damp-proofing

[TooMuchRain]

I think this is a bit of a daft question - but does damp-proofing really work or does it just mask / temporarily fix an ongoing problem?

We had a company in who said we should have it done in one room - which is fine but if it would be better to save up and actually fix the problem I would rather do that really. I may be really missing the point though...

Your right to question it. You need to find the reason for the damp and fix that. Lots of companies make money from the easy solution which doesn't address the original cause at all.

You should get an independent surveyor to have a look.

+1

If you invite into your home someone who sells damp-proofing, you should expect him to tell you that you need rto buy damp-proofing.

Most often the causes are poor ventilation leading to condensation; soil or paths against walls; dripping gutters or pipes splashing on the walls; leaks, especially of water pipes or drains buried in solid floors, but also including radiator pipes. None of these will be cured by injection or tanking, they need simple building repairs.

Thanks for the advice, I think we will wait a month to see what it's like when we are living there and then get an independent survey.

Just out of curiosity - why would a path cause damp?

Damp courses shaped be kept clear outside. Over the years additions such as patios, banks of soil and paths get built which obstruct the damp course and trap damp.

Try to avoid solid surfaces such as concrete butting up to your exterior walls, much better to have a border of fine gravel around the perimeter of your property ie something to help the water drain away.

That's interesting, the neighbours have a hard drive that goes right up to the wall of our house

Shaped = should be

I am sure Piglet john will be along later to tell you roughly how many inches should be clear below the damp course.

I thinkbuilding regs state minimum 150 mm clearance . It is also very important that your air bricks are not obstructed. Sometimes it helps to have extra air bricks installed.

it is usual to have two courses of bricks above ground level and below the dpc. this is because a brick will get wet if any part of it is below ground. water will easily travel up one brick, but often stops before the next brick up gets wet.

the distance also prevents rain splashing up and wetting the wall above dpc.

it is very common (but undesirable) for people to put paths, drives and flowerbeds against walls so that they bridge the dpc. It will be much worse if there is a puddle or if the surface slopes towards the house encouraging water to run into the wall.