What is Rising Damp?

What is Rising Damp?

Rising Damp is a type of dampness that occurs in older buildings such as period homes, buildings and churches. It occurs when ground water travels up through porous building materials (such as stone, brick and mortar).

Rising damp occurs when water from the ground is drawn up through the bricks and mortar by capillary action. Simply, the water rises up the wall of a building in the same way that oil rises up through the wick of a lamp. During the original construction of a home or building most areas are fitted with a damp proof barrier which is known as a damp proof course or DPC. These barriers can break down with age (due to a number of factors) allowing ground moisture to travel up the wall and in many cases, cause substantial damage. Ground water contains soluble salts, the most significant of which are chlorides, nitrates and sulphates. When rising damp occurs, these are drawn up the wall with the water and are left behind when the water evaporates.

Rising Damp example
Over many years of active dampness large quantities of these salts accumulate within the masonry components, most becoming concentrated in a general “salt band” towards the maximum height of rise. Both chlorides and nitrates are usually hydroscopic (ie, they can absorb moisture from the surrounding environment) and in general the greater amount of salt, the greater amount of moisture – especially under humid conditions.
In extreme cases, even though rising damp may have been controlled by the insertion of a remedial damp course the salts alone can cause the wall to remain damp. It is for this reason, in some cases, that a sacrificial poultice may also need to be temporarily applied to remove the salts from the masonry.
Example of Rising Damp

Do I have Rising Damp?

Common visual signs of rising damp are powdery or crumbling mortar, decaying bricks or blistering and decaying render often accompanied with flaking paint.

 

Using a specialist moisture meter, we can accurately detect raised moisture contents within masonry walls and treat the Rising Damp with Our Rising Damp Treatment System.
For friendly, helpful advice, or an obligation free quotation on your Newcastle or Maitland house - get in touch with Newcastle Rising Damp Solutions by calling 0447 591 121
Newcastle Rising Damp Repairs – Newcastle Damp Solutions is a Newcastle NSW based business specialising in Rising Damp Treatment in brick homes. Should you require assistance regarding the Treatment and Repairs of Rising Damp, feel free to call Brett Hogan on 0447 591 121 for a friendly obligation free quotation.