Duncantech

Damp proofing is actually a material that is put in structures, like buildings, to avoid dampness from rising through the bricks. The bricks are normally slightly porous and water rises in them through capillary action. The material proofing performs a function akin to that of a solid ground and may be made of numerous different things.

Most countries require that buildings obtain some sort of damp proofing put in place during the construction process, but it so happens that sometimes the proofing put in place falls short of the required standards. When this happens, the moisture in the earth (damp) finds its way into the small space within the bricks through capillary action. If the air is also fairly humid, then the salts which are in the ground water may absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and increase the problem. This condition normally causes the wall paper to peel off, any hangings to become ruined as well as plaster to fall off. Damp is dangerous to one’s health as it enables all kinds of fungi and moulds to thrive, and their spores may trigger or even worsen things like bronchial asthma.

There are a number of materials that can be used for damp proofing the building:

• Plastic sheets.
• Slates.
• Cement mortar.
• Hot bitumen.
• Bituminous felt.
• Sheets of lead as well as copper.
• Mastic asphalt.
• Stones.
• Impervious bricks.
• Coarse layers of sand.

The type of proofing to be used highly depends upon the budget of the building project, what materials are presently available and what is best for the area where the structure will be built. Some of the older houses normally have only a layer of proofing which might quickly fail. If this is the case, it’s paramount that replacement or fixing is done. There are a number of solutions that are readily available for this. One is the silicon based approach which is usually inserted without doing much damage to the floor or wall space. There is also the silane diffusion. A concentrated silicone cream is fed into the gaps in the current damp proofing system. With the siliconate transfusion, the silicone cream is fed into the crevices through a system that relies on the law of gravity. This is ideal for single brick walls.

Damp proofing prevents water damage to a house over the course of its existence. It also helps the house to offer a healthier environment as dampness makes it possible for the growth of spore creating fungi and moulds which can create or aggravate respiratory problems. It’s important to have adequate proofing to safeguard both the structure and its occupants.