Have you already tried to solve moisture problems at the bottom of the walls in your home with special paint/foil, and it’s not working? It is possible that you are dealing with a poorly functioning damp-proof course. Fortunately, there are many ways to have a new damp-proof course professionally installed by an experienced installer. Your choice for the right damp-proof course depends on the type of moisture problems you are dealing with and the construction of your home. We have listed a number of important insights for you.
Possible moisture problems with a defective damp-proof course
Do you suffer from salt efflorescence on your walls, peeling plasterwork, or mold growth on the ground floor? Then it is possible that the damp-proof course is absent or not functioning properly. With persistent moisture, you may also smell a musty odor as a result of molds that are affecting your home. In the long term, the building materials will lose their insulating properties and you will have to heat the room more often to maintain the indoor temperature. The installation of a new damp-proof course is certainly an investment, but not as expensive as continuing to repair and pay for the consequences of structural moisture problems in your home.
For which moisture problems is a damp-proof course necessary?
A damp-proof course is in principle always necessary in your home, regardless of whether you visually detect moisture problems or not. Wall foundations are subject to rising damp. Around the foundation, the soil always contains a certain amount of moisture that rises and can penetrate into building materials if there is no damp-proof course present. This damp-proof course is the only physical barrier in foundations that can protect the home against moisture problems as a result of rising damp. It is therefore important that you have a properly functioning damp-proof course to protect your home.
In addition, a properly functioning damp-proof course also protects your home against the consequences of leaks in underground pipes or defects in the foundation. It is possible that the foundation is damaged, making it easier for water to rise and penetrate the walls, but a damp-proof course blocks the moisture at plinth level.
Which damp-proof course for your home?
There is a suitable damp-proof course for every home, depending on the construction and the building materials from which the subsoil and walls are made. You can therefore have a damp-proof course installed in both renovation and new construction projects.
What is the desired damp-proof course for your home? At Aquavent, we analyze your home and choose the most effective solution. A number of possibilities:
- Chemical damp-proof course: The most common solution for rising damp. This type of damp-proof course is applied as a liquid that then hardens into a waterproof layer. Liquid damp-proof courses can consist of various materials such as siloxanes, epoxy or bitumen. The choice of waterproofing material depends, among other things, on the desired elasticity, durability and the type of substrate.
- Horizontal physical damp-proof course: is a horizontal waterproofing that is usually placed in the walls just above ground level, as protection against rising damp. This type of damp-proof course usually consists of plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
- Vertical damp-proof course: this damp-proof course, consisting of sealants such as cementation, bitumen or roofing, protects your home against penetrating damp and is placed vertically on underground walls, usually on the outside.
Importance of a professional installation of your damp-proof course
The choice of the type of damp-proof course has a major impact on the end result, and it is therefore necessary to have the condition of your home professionally investigated first. Where does the moisture seep in, and what is the cause of this? And which damp-proof course best suits the subsoil and other building materials? At Aquavent, we analyze the condition of your home and you are assured of a professional and correct installation of your damp-proof course.
Simon Dejaeghere
Onze specialist Simon is een ervaren expert op het gebied van opstijgend vocht. Dankzij zijn diepgaande kennis en jarenlange praktijkervaring kan hij problemen snel herkennen, de juiste diagnose stellen en effectieve oplossingen adviseren. Simon begeleidt klanten van de eerste inspectie tot en met de uiteindelijke behandeling.
