Rising Damp
|
It doesn't sound like a particularly interesting topic, however a quick search on the worlds favourite internet search engine will show that in some circles rising damp is a very hot topic indeed. The trouble is that it appears that it could indeed be some type of religion or god; does it exist, or doesn't it? The truth of the matter is that rising damp does indeed exist in one form or another, but it is often misdiagnosed, or you can often pay for expensive treatment that really isn't necessary.
Rising damp in buildings may be defined as the vertical flow of water up through a permeable wall structure, the water being derived from ground water. The water rises through the pores (capillaries) in the masonary by a process loosely termed "capillarity." In other words the masonry acts like a wick The common causes are deterioration due to age and bridging of a damp course with internal concrete floors, renders or external paths and earth levels (a damp course is specifically designed to avoid the possibility of rising damp- it is built of a matter of course in all new buildings).
If your house does have a problem (something we will discuss later) then it can cause the following symptons:
For inside walls
- Paint does not adhere to the wall.
- Wall paper lifts and stains appear on the walls.
- Plaster flakes away, feels soft and spongy, bubbles and white powder or crystals appear.
- Skirting boards and floor boards rot.
For outside walls
- Mortar frets and falls out between bricks and stonework.
- Stains or white powder appear on walls.
These problems are mainly aesthetic problems only, however it is conceivable that structural damage could result from extensive rising damp, and of course a damp mouldy environment could pose a health risk to people.
Obviously if you have any of the above symptoms then it is possible that your home is suffering from rising damp, and it would be advisable to get an 'expert' in to look at your home. However this is where you will face a major problem; who is an expert , and who is just a 'cowboy' out to diagnose you with the "worst case of rising damp that he has ever seen, which can only be solved with the most expensive treatment on the market"? Unfortunately there are a lot of companies out there who have targets to meet and profits to make, and the way they do this is by over zealous diagnosing, and charge you hefty fees for carrying out work that may, or may not, fix the problem.
The major problem is that any damp-proofing salesman that you employ to look at your home will use a 'rising damp meter'. These meters are supposed to measure the moisture in materials, however what they actually do is measure the electrical conductance. The idea being that the better the conductance (the ease at which electricity flows) the higher the water content. However these meters can only be calibrated for one material, and that is usually timber. So they will give reasonable results for wood and possibly some plasters, but for bricks, wallpaper and concrete they will give readings that are way too high. Thus they can be used (by unscrupulous salespeople) to indicate that you have rising damp "because the meters says so" when in fact you have a perfectly normal wall.
In summary if you can visibly see a problem with your wall, with obvious signs of damage due to water or salty tide marks then you may have a problem with rising damp, and you will need to try to find a reliable expert to come in and look at your problem. However be very, very wary of any 'expert' who has been employed to do a general survey of your house, or indeed comes around offering a free check up of your building. If they pull out one of these moisture meters, jab it into the wall a few times and declare that you have a major problem, then it is entirely possible that they are a commission based salesperson trying to extract money from you.
Generally, if the wall looks okay, it is okay. If it looks like it is damp, mouldy or has tide marks on it, then you have a problem with moisture, condensation, or rising damp in your home, and you need to investigate things further.
About The Author
Alastair Taylor runs a DIY website that tries to give the consumer the truth about home improvement jobs. Visit http://www.whatprice.co.uk to saves yourself time and money
|
|
|
Candle Making 101
If you'd like to try your hand at candle making, set aside two hours one day next weekend, and start with an easy project, using your old candles to test the waters. If it's instant gratification you crave, you'll see the fruits of your labor in just a couple of hours with a minimum expenditure for supplies.People often speak of candle making and soap making in the same sentence as if they are similar experiences. The process is not the same. If you have thought of making your own soap, tr...(related: Home Improvement)
The Simplicity Of Gel Fireplaces
Nothing makes your home more welcoming than the warmth and crackle of a fireplace. There is a wide offering selection of Gel fireplaces that will match your needs in size, style and finish. With a Gel fireplace, you can now have the warmth; beauty and convenience of a fireplace in locations where you never thought possible Gel Fireplaces do not require a chimney or expensive gas or electrical hookups!Gel Fireplaces burn an all-natural, jelled alcohol that is 100% efficient and ecologically sound. Each can burns for two to three hours and can be reused until empty. They are safe and completely smokeless and even provide the romance of the traditional sound of the &...(related: Home Improvement)
Window Shutters On A Budget
While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives ? including poly or vinyl shutters ? are less expensive but also much less attractive. For a high-quality solution at a lower cost, look for a company that ...(related: Home Improvement)
This Is Why People Should Consider Granite Countertops
Granite countertops are among the most beautiful things you can add to your kitchen. Kitchen countertops gain a b...(related: Home Improvement)
Log Home Mistakes Ebook Review
Ok, you are ready to build a log home. If you are not going to build it yourself, it mean you will hire a builder. And because of that, you need to know what to ask, what to look for.This is true when you build a house, and even more important when you build a log home. Why? Because there are not as many builders available around, so you need to be careful to pick the right one. After all, you are building your dream home here, you don't want the dream to crash because you made too many mistakes along the way?First, a little about the author of the book.I work on the web all the time, so I know there are many people online who write ebooks and just don't know what they are...(related: Home Improvement)
Top Tips When Planning A Conservatory Or Sunroom
General advice.Negotiate fairly with suppliers. Don't expect to get all mod cons if you're only prepared to pay for the cheapest design.Try to meet the builders who will be doing the work ? it's crucial that you can get on with them.Check whether you'll need planning permission ? don't rely on the conservatory supplier to take care of that for you.Be friendly and cooperative towards the constructors ? you'll have more chance of getting the job done well.If po...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface
My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is good and nothing good is cheap". This ring true when dealing with the purchase especially on the internet of Granite Work Surfaces. In fact of all stone so read carefully.Natural stone is graded as to it's suitability for a given task. It is also graded regarding the region of the world it originated from. This is a grade for general use but more for stone professionals to advise architects, surveyors etc which products to use for maximum efficiency in the building or home.When buying on the internet you are usually shown samples of the very best, Granite, Marble, Limestone etc. You must be aware that this stone is probably not what you will receive. Firstly, the stone is batched. You need batched stone to...(related: Home Improvement)
Buying The Right Bed Sheets For Your Bed
You spend a lot of your life in your bed sleeping and rejuvenating for the next day's activity. Sleeping is a process that...(related: Home Improvement)
Conservatory Blinds ? The Finishing Touch
There's no doubt that blinds add the finishing touch to any conservatory or sunroom, whether it is used as a sitting room, dining room, playroom or office. The ability to control heat and glare makes the room usable throughout the year, offering protection from the sun in the summer and retaining heat in the winter.When it comes to choice of style and material there are several options. As with most home furnishings, you need to consider which fits best with your lifestyle and your pocket.Pleated blinds are the most popular choice, as well as the most effective, since they reflect up to 83% of the sun's heat. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, they are very easy to maintain especially if treated to repel dirt and damp.Check the width of the pleats before buying ? the slimmer the pleat, the neater the o...(related: Home Improvement)
Protecting Yourself From Miter Saw Hazards
A miter saw, also known as a "chop saw," is a circular saw that is mounted on a frame. It is designed to be portabl...(related: Home Improvement)
Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio
It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just how to bring an outdoor room together to make it a peaceful spot to relax or enjoy quality time with friends and family. But if you think of it as yet another room to decorate and furnish...(related: Home Improvement)
Non Slip Maintenance Of Honed Interior Marble
A honed finish is a satin surface with relatively little light reflection. It is specified for floors, thresholds and other locations where the presence of water might make a polished finish sli...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Be Your Air Conditioner?s Best Friend
There are a few things you can do to take care of your air conditioner and make its life a little longer and a little easier.How does your air conditioner work? Simply stated, an air conditioning unit removes heat from the air and blows it outside with an outdoor fan. An indoor fan pulls room air across an evaporator coil filled with refrigerant and transfers cool air into your home. Obviously, the movement of air by fans is a big part of the system. That's why it is so important to replace the filter at least once a month.As dust is picked up, it is trapped on the filter, and you would be surprised how quickly the dust accumulates. Trying to pull air through a clogged filter just makes the fan work harder, raising your utility bill.The same is true for the fan in the outdoor uni...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement