Dampness in a home is one of the UK’s most prevailing problems due to our unpredictable weather. Not only does this affect the quality of your life it can dramatically impact the structural integrity of your property. A way to combat this is to apply a damp proof course (DPC) to your home to prevent the common issue of rising damp, mould growth, and rot. Within this blog post, I will discuss the ways you can combat this problem for the future.
What is a DPC?
A DPC is a barrier designed to prevent moisture from entering the walls of your home from the ground, it often comprises of long strips of black plastic laid within a mortar joint approximately 150mm above ground level. New builds are required to have a DPC built in by British building regulations, however, properties that our pre-1920s need to be checked as this is not always the case.
Additionally, vertical DPC’s may sometimes be required, however the main concern for any contractor applying Andura coatings is normally rising damp. Rising damp can be very obvious on an interior wall and far less obvious on an exterior wall due to the cavity within the wall.
Different types of DPC available on the market.
1. Plastic DPC- a modern DPC made of a plastic membrane.
2. Chemical DPC injection- a water-repelling liquid or cream injected into the interior wall 150mm above ground. For example, silicon is an excellent damp proof course as it is water-repellent, and long-lasting due to its flexibility.
3. Membrane DPC- a sheet made from plastic that is installed beneath concrete slab on ground floors to protect moisture from entering your home from the ground.
4. Cavity wall DPC- This is used in cavity walls because the cavity helps to prevent the transfer of moisture from your outside wall to your internal wall.
5. Bitumen, PVC and chemical- This method is ideal if your property has rising dampness due to a broken damp proof course. It is done by injecting a damp-proof cream, which is a silicon-based liquid. Once injected, the liquid reacts with the silica in the masonry. The result is a water-repelling damp-proof course.
Signs of a failed DPC
Ultimately DPC can decay over time, and they may need attention. To know this, you may have signs of wear and tear on your property that will determine this, below is a list of common factors that may be a sign your DPC needs replacing…
Tidemarks or staining on the walls
Peeling paint and wallpaper on your interior walls
Deteriorating plaster
Visible salt deposits on interior and exterior walls
Musty and unpleasant smells
Mould growth on both interior and exterior walls
How to maintain your DPC for the future
DPC’s are designed to withstand the years of weathering faced with the British climate however there are precautionary measures homeowners can take to ensure its effectiveness. These include
Keeping the ground level surrounding the property below the DPC to prevent bridging, this could be in the form of regularly cutting the grass and foliage around this area or keeping loose gravel evenly spread. When landscaping never allow the ground level to touch the DPC.
Ensuring drainpipes and guttering are cleared to avoid unnecessary water buildup.
Periodically inspecting the DPC to make sure it is functional.
Conclusion
Overall, knowing if your DPC is functional is the most important information you can gain from this article. It is a critical component to having a healthy and sound property whilst preventing the threat of damp or mould growth in the future.
Whether you are buying a new build property or a heritage property, knowing if the DPC is effective can be a crucial stage in negotiating a price and assessing if the property is right for you.
Ultimately, this should all be assessed by your contractor before Andura coating is applied, maintaining your peace of mind and assuring our coating's longevity is kept. If you suspect your DPC is failing, please get in contact today and we can direct you to the right people to resolve any concerning issues.
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