Damp proofing
WE CAN DAMP PROOF YOUR HOME
If you have any issues with damp, then Priory Damp Proofing Ltd are the team to call. Offering a range of damp proofing work in Barnsley and the surrounding area, we’re a great choice. Contact us today.
Rising damp
Rising damp is moisture that climbs the walls through capillary action. When you have a bad case, it leaves tell-tale stains and causes wallpaper to peel away. Rising damp can also cause skirting boards to rot. It’s definitely a problem that needs investigating and fixing as soon as you become aware of it!
Common signs of rising damp include a damp or musty smell, rusty nails in the skirting boards or rotting skirting boards, dark patches and damp walls, peeling wallpaper or blistering paint, stains in the plaster due to salt contamination.
Priory Damp Proofing are experts in managing rising damp problems. We can install damp proofing that will tackle the problem, and our team will also ensure that damage from the damp is rectified. This includes all necessary plastering.
What damage can rising damp cause?
One of the problems of persistent rising damp is that it draws chlorides, nitrate and other salts from the soil. These are deposited in the plaster as the water evaporates from the surface. These salts are hygroscopic, meaning that they absorb moisture from the air, leading to further damp in the wall, particularly in humid conditions. This can even continue after the initial cause of the damp has been dealt with.
What properties are most at risk?
Older properties are particularly at risk from rising damp due to the lack of an effective Damp Proof Course (DPC). This can happen when your DPC has been ‘bridged’ – for example, if it has been plastered over, and the plaster reaches the ground, or if the external ground level has changed, and now covers the DPC.
Dry rot
Dry rot is the result of a fungal infestation of wood within a property. It is caused by fungi that consume parts of the wood that give it strength and rigidity. Affected wood will look dry, shrunken, cracked and discoloured.
How can I detect dry rot?
Dry rot is usually easy to see at all stages of the fungi’s life cycle. It starts with mycelium growth, which looks like a white, silky substance spreading across surfaces in search of its food source, wood. Once it locates a source of food and begins to grow, it will develop fruiting bodies which have a flat, pizza-like appearance. These are generally rust-red in colour. It is also common to experience a damp and musty smell when dry rot is present.
What do we do about dry rot?
The most important thing to do if you notice the signs of dry rot is to call in the experts. The team at Priory Damp Proofing can investigate the problem, ascertain the extent of it, and take the action required to stop the situation from deteriorating. We will also undertake any necessary remedial work. Our team is skilled in a range of timber treatments that can deal with dry rot, ensuring that your property is put to rights and protected from further issues.
Condensation
Condensation is one of the most common causes of damp in modern buildings. Moisture is always present in the air, and all this moisture can lead to condensation.
If there’s a problem with condensation in your home, you’ll probably start noticing patches of mould develop on walls, ceilings, furniture – in fact, almost anywhere that the moisture can settle. It can even cause timber to rot. It’s most commonly a problem during the October to April period, but it can happen at any time of year, depending on your property and how you use it.
The team at Priory Damp Proofing can help tackle condensation and the issues it causes. We can help minimise the problems, deal with any mould that may have begun to grow in your home, and ensure that there are condensation control measures in place.
What causes condensation?
Every time you shower, run a bath, cook, use the washing machine, dry laundry in your home, cook - even breathe! – you add moisture to the air. It’s the level of moisture in the air that can cause problems. When air with a lot of moisture in it meets a cold surface, that moisture condenses out, leaving droplets of water on the surface. This is condensation.
What makes it worse?
If your home is inadequately ventilated, it can lead to condensation problems becoming worse. Double-glazing, draught proofing, and other modern conveniences can become very inconvenient when they minimise ventilation and make condensation more of an issue! Air needs to flow through and around a property to prevent the build-up of excess moisture on areas such external walls, windows, and room corners.
Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is what happens when water from outside your property manages to enter the fabric of the building through the exterior walls. Cracked render, damaged brickwork or pointing, faulty gutters or down pipes – anything that allows water to soak the outside of the property can ultimately lead to moisture getting in, and a problem with penetrating damp.
What problems can penetrating damp cause?
If you have penetrating damp, you’ll start to notice problems such as mould, damp and damaged plasterwork, deteriorating masonry and pointing, damp smelling rooms, and water marks within the property. If you start to notice any of these, then it’s time to call in the experts.
How do we deal with penetrating damp?
The Priory Damp Proofing team can undertake the necessary work to repair the damage that has allowed water to penetrate your property. We can undertake property maintenance, weather sealing, pointing, plastering and more, dealing with the root cause and treating the symptoms at the same time.
Cellar conversion
If you have a cellar that is unused, it’s probably a fairly damp place. If so, and you want to change that so you can make use of the space, then we can help. We can undertake the necessary work to ensure your cellar is ready to be transformed into a useful, functional space for you and your family to enjoy.
Can a cellar be damp proofed?
Damp proofing a cellar takes specialist knowledge and equipment, but it’s definitely possible, and we are experts in the field. We offer basement or cellar tanking, which involves applying a waterproof cement to the walls, rendering them permanently watertight. This gives a foundation for the conversion work to begin.
