Ask almost any homeowner what they dread most, and they’ll talk about water leaks in the house. When it’s cold and rainy, there’s nothing quite as depressing as having a doleful dripping sound coming from the roof, or the sight of brickwork becoming waterlogged. Dampness in a home is never pleasant, and can create endless problems, including health issues if mould starts to form. Warm can lead to a lot of structural damage in a home, such as causing dry or wet rot in a building. Rising damp can lead to damage to floors, carpets, and furniture. It’s no wonder that so many products are being developed and so many companies specialise in helping homeowners to cope with the problem of too much moisture in their houses. If you’re one of those people that are constantly fighting dampness, you may need to take definite action that will end your frustration once and for all.
Having effective damp proofing
If you’re building a new home, you will find that building regulations already take care of this. As the UK is known for its damp weather, and as this has been an issue in so many homes, it is now required in England and Wales to have a damp proof course installed. This is difficult in an older home, as it’s necessary to get inside the walls to install this type of damp proofing. This is when you need to look at alternative methods. You can visit here to get more information.
A first step could be to have a professional ‘damp survey’ carried out, so you know exactly what the source of the problem is. A surveyor usually has a damp meter, so will be able to measure the levels of moisture present in walls. Once you know which areas are problems, you’ll be able to discuss various solutions. An inspection will also show if there are any areas where water is accumulating, and will highlight where you might need better ventilation to allow moisture to escape from your home. Many homes are sealed tight to keep in the heat, but there also needs to be a proper flow of air.
In a kitchen or a bathroom, silicone is a good sealant, as it’s fairly resistant to steam. For exterior and interior walls, coating these walls with layers of impermeable paint that keeps water out might also be a solution offered to you. Thereafter, you may want to use specific paints and sealants, both for window frames and around drains. You should bear in mind that many of the new products on the market that can be injected into walls and create excellent barriers against damp, need specific handling and expertise to be effective. Thus, for an issue as pressing as damp proofing, you may wish to leave this in expert hands.
For a permanent solution to a waterlogged home, contact Cavitytech Systems Ltd. Their expert staff will be able to provide effective damp proofing for your Eastbourne home.