Posted by Bob Bulmer on Mon 2nd June 2008 at 03:59 PM, Filed in Damp Issues
This article was submitted by the Property Care Association.
Protecting homes from water is a vital part of home maintenance. Effective drainage and guttering, watertight roofing and efficient pointing can all work together to protect properties from the outside – but when does the appearance of damp inside a house signal a problem?
In this article Steve Hodgson, deputy director of The Property Care Association, (PCA) which represents the UK’s damp-proofing, timber preservation, structural maintenance and structural waterproofing industries, offers some advice on when to call in the experts.
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If you have a small hole or crack in a flat roof it is a relatively simple process to repair it.
You will need the following to repair a flat roof:
• Protective gloves.
• A large stiff brush.
• Step ladder.
• Liquid rubber.
• You might also need a primer.
If you have the above you can now repair your flat roof as follows:
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Posted by Bob Bulmer on Wed 26th September 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Damp Issues
Identifying the exact location of a roof leak can be very tricky. Rain water can travel some distance before it makes itself apparent giving you a bit of a headache in terms of the source.
However, there are certain things to look out for which can help:
1. Check likely locations such as a party wall or chimney breast in the loft. These are classic spots for leaks. Usually, the cause is a defective flashing seal that can be easily repaired.
2. Loose slates and wind damage can cause leakages. Identify, defective slates on your roof and match the location with the presumed source of the leak.
3. As a cross check it maybe helpful to run a water sprinkler over the roof, while someone inside watches for the source of the leak.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Tue 25th September 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Damp Issues
Condensation can be a problem within the home, but rising damp is a serious problem. How do you tell between the two.
Well there is a clever little test that may help.
1. Identify your damp spot on the wall. Using a hairdryer, dry the area as best you can.
2. Attach some aluminium foil to the dried area and leave overnight.
3. If the foil is wet the next day you can be fairly certain that the problem is condensation.
4. If the foil is dry with the wall below it soaking wet, you can be fairly certain that the house is suffering from rising damp.
5. Generally, if moisture is apparent over 1m from ground level, then the problem will be condensation.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Mon 24th September 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Damp Issues
A Damp Proof Course may require injection from inside the home.
Before this takes place you will have to make the following preparations:
1. Ensure that radiators, cupboards and electric goods that might be in the way are removed.
2. The skirting board along the wall to be treated may have to be removed.
3. Floorboards running along the skirting will have to be lifted up.
4. Floorboards running at right angles to the skirting boards should be lifted at 50 cm intervals.
5. Remove plaster a few days before you begin injecting the course. This should give the wall a chance to thoroughly dry out. This plaster should be removed up to 50 cm above the DPC. Use a cable/pipe detector before you remove the plaster, this will help ensure that you don’t sever anything you shouldn’t! If you’re unsure, temporarily disconnect the electricity while you remove the plaster.
