Damp Proofing in Belfast
We find the real cause of your damp before recommending any treatment, so you only pay for work that is needed.
2009PCA Technician of the Year
87Google reviews, rated Excellent
PCAtrained surveyor
The short answer
Damp is unwanted water in the walls, floors or timbers of a building. It usually comes from ground water rising through masonry, rain getting in from outside, or condensation, and each needs a different fix. We identify which one you have, then treat that cause.
Signs of damp to look for
- Damp or discoloured patches on walls and ceilings
- A tide mark or crumbling plaster low down on a wall
- Peeling paint or lifting wallpaper
- White salty deposits (efflorescence) on the surface
- A musty smell, or black mould in corners
- Walls that feel cold and clammy
What causes damp?
Rising damp is ground water travelling up through porous masonry by capillary action. Penetrating damp comes from outside, through defective rainwater goods, cracked or blown render, poor pointing, high external ground levels bridging the damp-proof course (DPC), or failed window and door seals. Condensation forms where warm, humid air meets cold surfaces in poorly insulated or ventilated rooms.
How we diagnose it
We assess the affected areas and the building around them to work out which type of damp you have. Not all damp is rising damp, and treating the wrong cause wastes money.
How we treat it
- Survey the property and identify the cause of the damp
- Fix the source, for example repairing gutters, render or pointing, or improving ventilation
- Where rising damp is confirmed, install a new damp-proof barrier
- Replaster affected walls where needed, then allow them to dry
Damp Proofing FAQs
How do I know which type of damp I have?
The pattern matters. Damp low on a wall with a tide mark often points to rising damp, patches near gutters or windows suggest penetrating damp, and black mould on cold surfaces suggests condensation. A survey confirms the cause.
Do I always need a damp-proof course?
No. Many damp problems come from leaking gutters, defective render or condensation, and need no new damp-proof course at all.
Worried about damp?
Book a survey and get an honest answer on what needs doing, and what does not.
or call 077 0728 0594
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Damp or timber problem?
Book a survey and get an honest answer on what needs doing.