Category: Damp

Many older homes in London are sought after because they were made to last and have aesthetic appeal, especially in certain parts of the capital. Many of the properties have been in the possession of the same family for several generations, providing security and a place where many happy memories have been made. Those buildings are indeed well built, but it is important to remember that large parts of the city are built on clay, which holds water.

That can create problems when not regularly checked. Damp is not unusual, but it needs to be dealt with. Many households suspect that their property could have issues. However, a surprising number fail to do anything about it until it takes extensive work to put things right, along with the associated costs and inconvenience it causes. Waterproofing for basements is a practical solution, the importance of which we shall investigate below.

The importance of waterproofing a basement must not be underestimated. While some use it as a storage space, others turn it into a games room or a new flat for someone to live in. As mentioned earlier, London has high levels of water below the surface, added to by the many underground tributaries flowing off the Thames. This can lead to flooding unless precautions such as cellar tanking are put in place. Global warming is also playing its part in creating more extreme weather than previously experienced, which makes the work something that requires being carried out sooner rather than later. Those fortunate enough not to have to worry about flooding have other issues to consider, such as mildew and mould, which thrive in damp conditions. A waterproofed basement is likely to keep them at bay, at least from the risk of rising damp.

Basement waterproofing London provides the correct keywords to key into a search engine, as it is likely to direct you to the pages of our website at London Damp Proofing, where we can provide a comprehensive service, including a rapid diagnosis to provide peace of mind to our customers. Once our work is complete, it minimises the chances of cracks forming in the foundations of the property, along with fixing any leaks that we find. The continually changing climate has led to more expansion and extraction of buildings than ever before in recent years, making the waterproofing of a basement a sound investment.

Something that might worry you when reading this article is the basement tanking cost. Tanking is a way of adding an extra layer to a basement as part of a waterproofing solution. Well, those who choose our services will find a solution that is affordable and comes with a 30-year guarantee. Energy costs will also be lowered through increased efficiency of appliances, while the overall value of the property will increase, making the work well worth investing in.

Those wanting to make the smart move and have their basement waterproofed can call us on 020 7593 8030 to get things in motion as soon as possible.

If you are living in a damp home and have mould growing on the walls, you know how unpleasant and uncomfortable it can be. The house smells musty all of the time and the nasty black streaks and smears ruin the aesthetic appearance of the interior, but you may be unaware that there is a much more pressing problem: The damp and mould can present serious health risks to you and your family, transforming your home from a refuge to a hazardous area!

In order to understand the ill effects of damp and mould on your health, we must first understand the nature of these conditions.

Damp – Having an excess of moisture in your home causes it to become damp. There are two basic ways in which this excess moisture enters the structure:

• Penetrating Damp – The moisture is entering your home from outside through roof leaks or cracks in the outer wall. The best way to prevent this is to have a wall damp treatment
• Rising Damp – This is caused by excess condensation that has formed within the building, raising the interior humidity. The condition is usually caused by poor ventilation and insufficient heating.

Mould – These damp, humid conditions create the perfect environment for moisture-loving mould to grow. The most common type of mould affecting London homes is called black mould, a fungus that thrives and spreads in damp and humid conditions. The black mould produces spores to reproduce, and their presence is behind most of the health risks that can put you and your family in danger!

These mould spores are tiny, about half the width of a human hair, which allows them to float invisibly in the air. The spores are allergens that can cause a variety of serious allergic reactions. Inhaling or even just touching mould spores can bring on illness and worsen existing health conditions.

The most common health risks presented by black mould spores are respiratory problems. The symptoms typically include a tight chest, breathing trouble, wheezing, and coughing fits. These conditions can be fairly mild to begin with, but if you are living in a damp, mouldy home your exposure to mould spores over time will very likely lead to them becoming chronic, and make you more susceptible to respiratory infections like colds and flues.

The following are some specific symptoms linked to having a mould infestation in your home!

• mild fever
• coughing
• sneezing
• sinus blockage
• runny nose
• painful face pressure
• sore throat

These symptoms can lead to more serious health problems caused by mould such as asthma, skin rashes, hives, conjunctivitis, and even contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

If your home is experiencing damp and mould, don’t wait until it takes a toll on your health, arrange for a mould survey from the people who can help, just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form. We will rush a surveyor over to assess the problem and find solutions so you can live safely in a dry, mould-free home!

Have you ever been strolling along the strand and found a piece of driftwood riddled with holes as if someone had taken a drill to it, and wondered what caused the phenomenon? Have you noticed the same thing happening in the wooden walls of your home, or even in your wood furniture recently? If so, you are dealing with an infestation of woodworm. The culprit of all that drilling is a tiny creature that loves to dig its way through timber, making an unsightly mess and eventually destroying it if left unstopped!

According to our woodworm specialist, the creature isn’t actually a worm at all, but the larvae of an insect called the wood-boring beetle. The woodworm is a powerful driller that can dig its way through anything made of wood. If you are finding signs of them in your home, it’s because you have another problem; they are attracted to wood that contains a high moisture content, which makes it easier for them to chew through it. If your home is suffering from damp walls and other signs of moisture, it will be at risk of attracting a woodworm infestation. Damp proofing your house is the best way to make sure it never happens!

Woodworm have a longer life cycle than many other insects, so an infestation could go on for years at a time! When you consider that the woodworms began their journey through your wooden walls from outdoors and are only just now poking into your room, you can imagine how much damage has already been done to the interior of the timber, which is probably as riddled with holes as that driftwood was!

The adult female wood-boring beetles enter untreated or improperly treated wet wood via tiny cracks, then lay their eggs inside. About two weeks later, the larvae, or woodworm will hatch and begin eating through the wood until they reach an open surface like your damp interior walls, a process that can take them as long as two years.

When the worm knows it’s near the surface, it will pupate, transforming into an adult beetle, that will then emerge, mate, and begin the cycle all over again. Woodworm tend to be the most active during warm, wet weather, usually manifesting somewhere between the months of March and October.

The woodworm larva is usually around 2 to 6 millimetres long, with a creamy-white body that closely resembles a worm with a cylindrical shape. It’s very difficult to see them because they are quite tiny and spend their lives inside the timber. If you see tiny holes developing in your home’s woodwork, you should arrange for a professional woodworm survey as soon as possible before further damage can be done!

If your home is suffering from an infestation just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form, we will run a survey, then recommend the best woodworm treatment to rid you of this destructive pest and put a stop to any future outbreaks!

Dampness in the home is a more common problem than you might think, over 50% of London homes suffer from it to some degree! The initial signs of a growing damp problem in your home can be subtle, so it’s important to be able to spot the warning signs early before your home is damaged, and worse yet, before you and your family begin to suffer from any of the adverse health effects living in a damp home can cause!

The following are some warning signs that your home should undergo a damp survey to see if it needs damp proofing:

The Walls Are Cold And Damp – If your walls feel cold and damp to the touch, it’s because there is moisture present in them. During cold weather, your home’s walls will experience condensation forming on their surfaces. This dampness can lead to more serious problems like wood rot and woodworm if left untreated over time, as well as warping and even an eventual collapse caused by oversaturation!

The Home Has A Musty Odour – The presence of an unpleasant, musty odour that never goes away is a telltale sign that your home has a damp problem. When your house smells musty, the most likely cause is the presence of mould and mildew growing in wet spots. You may not see the mould at first, but it’s there, growing in the damp crevices inside your walls.

Visible Signs Of Mould and Mildew – Once the mould and mildew expand to a point where they are visible, you can be sure that moisture is present. You will see black, white, or green patches appearing on your home’s surfaces, such as around windows, on the walls, and on ceilings. Look for these patches to first manifest in rooms that experience high humidity like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. The presence of moulds and mildews often points to serious moisture problems like condensation, rising dampness, or penetrating dampness. Moulds and mildews are very hazardous to human health, so make sure to order a mould survey as soon as possible to assess the causes of the infestation!

The Paint or Wallpaper Is Peeling – If you see bubbles, peeling, or cracks forming in your home’s paint or wallpaper, it is a sure sign that moisture is seeping out from the walls. This is a result of the plaster beneath the paint soaking up moisture, which makes the wallpaper or paint lose its grip on the surface. The underlying causes might include cracks in the outside walls, a leaky roof, or not having enough ventilation.

If you are observing any of these warning signs in your home, consider arrange for the damp specialists in London to come and perform a survey of your property. Based on their findings, they can also provide you with solutions to stop the moisture and prevent further damage to your home! Just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form and know that help is on the way!

If you are living in a damp home and have mould growing on the walls, you know how unpleasant and uncomfortable it can be. The house smells musty all of the time and the nasty black streaks and smears ruin the aesthetic appearance of the interior, but you may be unaware that there is a much more pressing problem: The damp and mould can present serious health risks to you and your family, transforming your home from a refuge to a hazardous area!

In order to understand the ill effects of damp and mould on your health, we must first understand the nature of these conditions.

Damp – Having an excess of moisture in your home causes it to become damp. There are two basic ways in which this excess moisture enters the structure:

• Penetrating Damp – The moisture is entering your home from outside through roof leaks or cracks in the outer wall. The best way to prevent this is to have a wall damp treatment
• Rising Damp – This is caused by excess condensation that has formed within the building, raising the interior humidity. The condition is usually caused by poor ventilation and insufficient heating.

Mould – These damp, humid conditions create the perfect environment for moisture-loving mould to grow. The most common type of mould affecting London homes is called black mould, a fungus that thrives and spreads in damp and humid conditions. The black mould produces spores to reproduce, and their presence is behind most of the health risks that can put you and your family in danger!

These mould spores are tiny, about half the width of a human hair, which allows them to float invisibly in the air. The spores are allergens that can cause a variety of serious allergic reactions. Inhaling or even just touching mould spores can bring on illness and worsen existing health conditions.

The most common health risks presented by black mould spores are respiratory problems. The symptoms typically include a tight chest, breathing trouble, wheezing, and coughing fits. These conditions can be fairly mild to begin with, but if you are living in a damp, mouldy home, your exposure to mould spores over time will very likely lead to them becoming chronic, and make you more susceptible to respiratory infections like colds and flues.

The following are some specific symptoms linked to having a mould infestation in your home!

• mild fever
• coughing
• sneezing
• sinus blockage
• runny nose
• painful face pressure
• sore throat

These symptoms can lead to more serious health problems caused by mould, such as asthma, skin rashes, hives, conjunctivitis, and even contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

If your home is experiencing damp and mould, don’t wait until it takes a toll on your health, arrange for a mould survey from the people who can help, just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form. We will rush a surveyor over to assess the problem and find solutions so you can live safely in a dry, mould-free home!

Winter will be coming around again; heavy rains, icy temperatures, and the danger of dampness smothering our homes in a cold, wet blanket. Damp walls, floors, and ceilings can cause a variety of problems, such as expensive structural damage, and even serious health issues from the harmful moulds and mildew that thrive under wet conditions. Preparing your home properly begins with ordering our free condensation survey to find out what you are up against! Forewarned is forearmed, so don’t let the ravages of the winter damp catch you by surprise this year!

Let’s take a look at some effective damp proofing techniques to keep your home cosy and dry all through those chilly winter months:

Proper Ventilation – Having proper airflow throughout your home is one of the main keys to preventing winter dampness. Check to see that every room is well-ventilated and there are no ventilation dead spaces where the air is unable to move and condensation can form. Keeping the windows open for short periods of time throughout the day to allow fresh air to circulate is a good idea if the outside conditions aren’t too harsh to prevent it. Proper ventilation is of particular importance in the rooms that tend to get wet regularly, like the kitchen and bathroom. A great way to prevent the gathering of moisture is to install condensation solutions like fan-driven vents or deploy dehumidifiers to help you control the humidity levels.

Damp-Proof Plaster And Paint – Consider re-plastering your home’s internal walls with a damp-proof plaster, then painting them with a damp-proof paint to create a double protective barrier against moisture. These products are specially designed to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls and building up into a damp problem. They also contain anti-mould and anti-condensation agents for further protection.

Perform A Thorough Leak Check – It’s important to inspect your home, checking your roof, gutters, and plumbing for blockages and leaks, especially before winter sets in. Performing regular maintenance is absolutely essential; make sure to clean and clear gutters and downspouts so the water can drain away from your home properly. Promptly repair any leaky pipes or fixtures to prevent water from seeping out and getting into your walls.

Have A Damp Proof Course (DPC) Installed –  If your home doesn’t have any long-term damp proof solutions like a DPC, you should strongly consider having one installed before winter begins. The DPC creates a barrier that prevents the rising damp from coming up through your walls. The damp proof course is one of the best lines of defence against moisture you can have in your home, and it’s especially crucial to have in older homes.

If you implement these techniques, you can greatly reduce the risk of winter dampness striking your home. if you have further questions or would like to have some damp proofing measures installed in your home, just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form, we can help you enjoy a dry and cosy winter!

Underground spaces like basements and cellars are notoriously difficult to keep dry. Periods of heavy rainfall or pipes bursting, along with poor drainage, can quickly flood a basement and cause extensive water damage. Considering that the basement also forms the home’s foundation, a serious flood might cause structural damage that could even have a negative effect on the overall stability, making the structure unsafe to reside in! Basement flooding is a very serious concern, let’s examine some of the top causes:

Sealant Is Compromised – In order to waterproof a basement or cellar at ground level a variety of sealants can be used, and over time they can lose their cohesion and become compromised, no longer blocking the water from entering the space they were meant to protect. The properties most likely to suffer from this problem are older ones, where the sealant has given out over a long period of time. Ordering an external damp proofing inspection is certain to reveal the problem and repairs can follow.

Gutters Are Blocked – Gutters are always one of a home’s weak points; they tend to be neglected since cleaning them is a difficult task usually involving ladders. All kinds of crud and debris fill them up over the seasons, such as moss, pine needles, and wet leaves. When the gutters and downpipes become clogged, they can’t drain properly, so the rainwater spills out to run down the exterior walls and seep into the ground, which can cause damp penetration in basements and eventually lead to flooding if the problem is not addressed in a timely fashion.

Sewers Are Backed Up – A major sewer clog can create a massive disaster that could cause flooding in the basement in the most unpleasant way. This problem is commonly caused by tree roots damaging pipes, the house settling, and the careless disposal of things down the toilet that do not belong there. If this happens, seek professional help immediately to mitigate the hazard.

Poor Property Drainage – Groundwater is the water that lies naturally below the ground’s surface, and if your property doesn’t allow for proper drainage during heavy rain, that water can rise above the level of the basement. In some locations, groundwater can be above the level of the floor at all times of the year! This moisture can cause damp penetration in basements and eventually flooding, causing untold damage.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways in which you can protect your basement from flooding. After an initial damp survey, London Damp Proofing Ltd can offer a basement tanking service that will make the walls completely waterproof! In addition to that, a backup plan can be added in the form of a cavity membrane system that will collect any water entering the structure and harmlessly wash it away, or pump it out with a sump pump.

You needn’t fear a flooded basement again, just give us a call at Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form and help will be on the way!

Every year, as summer fades away and autumn begins, we wake up in the morning to find our home’s windows plastered with droplets of water. This condensation is water that’s held in the air, and it forms into droplets when warm air meets a cold surface. Condensation is most common in the cool months and is often precipitated in your home when the central heating system switches on during the chill hours of the mornings and evenings.

A certain amount of condensation on the windows is natural and doesn’t present a problem, but too much of it that doesn’t dry properly can form damp patches on your walls and ceilings where harmful mould can thrive. This constant moistness can damage your home’s surfaces, make it feel damp and uncomfortable inside, and cause a pervasive mould smell in your house from mould growth that can be extremely harmful to your health, with particularly adverse effects on those who suffer from allergic, respiratory, or immune system conditions!

If your home is experiencing an excess of condensation, you should be concerned and consider calling us for a free condensation survey by our ventilation specialists, who can find a solution for your problem! Meanwhile, the following are some suggestions to help you avoid condensation and maintain a dry home!

Use Pan Lids While Cooking – Simply covering your pan with a lid while cooking greatly reduces the amount of moisture that boiling water and simmering liquids release into the air. If you have an extractor fan installed above the stove make sure it’s running while you are cooking so it can suck that moisture away.

Keep The Kitchen & Bathroom Doors Closed – These rooms are major sources of water vapour and can create condensation on windows all through your home’s interior. When you are boiling the kettle, cooking, taking a shower, or brushing your teeth, make sure the doors are kept closed to stop the moisture in the air from travelling to the home’s cooler rooms, where it will condense on cold surfaces and make the house smell musty. Don’t forget to run the fans, too!

Dry Your Clothes Outdoors – Drying your clothes outdoors whenever the weather permits will help prevent excess moisture from collecting in your home. Wet clothes, bedding, and towels are heavy with water, so all of that moisture will be evaporating into your home’s warm air. If you must dry your clothes indoors, then keep them in a room with its door closed, windows open, or a fan running until they have fully dried.

Keep The Furniture Away From The External Walls – Avoid placing furniture close to the external walls because it interrupts the flow of air and can make dead air pockets that promote damp and mould.  Keep the furniture at least 50mm away from the walls to improve the room’s air circulation.

If you are seeking condensation solutions, be sure to call us at Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form so we can help you keep your home nice and dry!

Although it often seems like nothing to worry about, condensation can actually cause serious problems in your home. When left untreated, it can lead to damp walls, structural issues, musty smells, and mould. It is better for your health and your wallet to put a stop to it as quickly as possible and prevent it from recurring by tackling the root causes. Here are the strategies you need to know to keep condensation out of your home.

Improve Your Ventilation

Of all the known condensation solutions, none are simpler than improving your home’s ventilation. All this really means is letting air move around freely, which causes stale and damp air to be replaced by air that is fresh and dry. Opening your windows for a few minutes each day can let in enough fresh air to make a big difference, and leaving room doors open to let air circulate around the house also helps.

Focus On Problematic Areas

As the key water entry points into the home, kitchens and bathrooms tend to suffer more with moisture and condensation than other areas. If you have extractor fans in these rooms, make sure you use them while cooking and showering, and let the bathroom extractor fan run for 15 minutes or so after you have finished. Other things that can help in these places are wiping down surfaces after use, decorating them with mould-resistant paint, and regular cleaning.

Use a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are excellent tools for property moisture control. They do not treat the root causes of condensation, but they are very effective at dealing with the humid air it causes. Rather than just extracting it, dehumidifiers remove the water vapour from the air and deliver dry air back into the room. This makes them useful for poorly ventilated areas that fresh air cannot reach. Keeping the air dry also lowers the risk of mould growth.

Insulate Your Home

Condensation occurs when warm, humid air comes into contact with a cold surface. So the more cold surfaces you have in your home, the more likely condensation is to form. Keeping your home warm is the key to preventing cold surfaces, so it is important to make sure your home is well-insulated. Loft and cavity wall insulation usually prevents the most heat loss, with double-glazed windows, thermal curtains, and window films also helping.

Monitor Humidity Levels

You do not have to wait until your window panes are steamy or your house smells musty to start removing the moisture from your home. Monitoring the humidity level can give you an early warning that trouble is on the horizon. Generally, indoor humidity falls between 40 and 60%, so if it spikes above this, you know it’s time to switch on the dehumidifier and search for where the problem is coming from.

Conclusion

Dry homes are more than just comfortable, they are safe and healthy too. That’s why it is important to prevent condensation and moisture from forming, and to deal with them promptly if they do. If your home is suffering with persistent condensation, call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 to have our experts handle it.

Water is one of the most powerful forces on Earth, it carves canyons through stone, and a tidal wave can wipe out a whole city. It’s always trying to find its way into our homes, and when it does, it can cause untold damage to the structure and even to our physical health! Despite its great power, water is subject to an even greater force called gravity. Water travels downward, which is why waterproofing for basements is always so important, it’s the first place to look for a liquid invasion!

There are a variety of methods that can be employed to stop water from entering below-ground rooms, such as interior basement sealing, but today we will focus on a different approach, a way of controlling the water and where it flows called a cavity membrane system. This clever solution diverts the water entering the structure, then collects and manages it so it can be removed safely without causing any harm.

So, how exactly does a cavity drain system work? There are three main components that form the system:

Cavity Drain Membrane – This sturdy membrane is made of high-density polyethene with stud-shaped protrusions that work to form a cavity between the membrane and the structure’s walls and floor. This creates depressurisation voids that can divert all of the water penetrating the structure into drainage channels.

Drainage Channels – The drainage channels are pathways for water to flow through designated outlets. They are installed at the base of the wall or above structural weak points like construction joints. The drainage channels form voids that collect the water from the cavity drain membrane and divert it out of the structure.

Sump and Pump System – There are some structures that won’t allow the water to flow out by gravity alone. In this case, the collected water is channelled into a sump housing a dual water pumping system that sends the water out and safely away from the structure.

There are several benefits that a cavity membrane drain system can provide:

An Effective Solution – The cavity drain system is a highly effective solution for cellar waterproofing, it efficiently manages any water that enters the structure and sends it away, reliably ensuring you can maintain your underground spaces as habitable dry rooms.

Simple Surface Preparation – Traditional tanking systems must have the site undergo extensive surface preparations in order to be installed, whereas very little surface preparation is required to install cavity drain systems. This simplicity greatly reduces installation time and cost because the building’s structure remains undisturbed.

Relieves Structural Stress – The cavity drain system isn’t tasked with resisting ground water pressure that can potentially put stress on, and damage the structure, a risk that tanking systems run due to the increased hydrostatic pressure they face.

If you are facing the destructive force of water in your home or commercial building, you can schedule a free basement damp assessment to study the problem and come up with solutions. Just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form and we will send our experts out to help you keep your underground spaces nice and dry!