Damp Proofing Barnstaple Devon (EX31): Having damp problems in your property in Barnstaple can lead to serious health and structural issues, as well as being unsightly in appearance. Underneath those clumps of flaking paintwork, ugly damp patches and areas of peeling wallpaper, far more serious problems may be lurking, and if they aren't resolved quickly, could be very expensive to repair. To provide a complete damp proofing alternative for your property, it is frequently cheaper in the longer term to contact a professional Barnstaple damp proofing company to check out your home.
In Barnstaple buildings, there are basically 3 principal problem areas where damp can have an impact on your home:
• Penetrating Damp
• Condensation
• Rising Damp
Below you'll find info on what might be causing problems with damp in your home or business premises in Barnstaple, and exactly how you can go about fixing them.
PENETRATING DAMP
Exterior issues like: cracked or loose roof tiles, defective guttering or downspouts, cavity wall issues and porous brickwork, can all be primary reasons behind penetrating damp in a building. Internal reasons behind penetrating damp could be damaged shower trays, overflowing sinks or bathtubs and burst or leaking pipework. If left to carry on leaking these elements enable water to soak into the walls and woodwork, which in time lead to blistered or broken plaster, damp, dark patches on walls and peeling paintwork.
If you have a leaking roof and it's been left untreated for a while, it can cause wet rot to develop in your roof timbers. Even though it can't spread into the brickwork, wet rot can cause the timber in your roof to become structurally compromised, and in the worst case scenario you might even need to replace the entire roof - extremely expensive! If black fungus starts to appear on any woodwork and the timber in your roof feels "spongy" to touch, you could have an issue with wet rot. The timely resolution of the issue is essential when you detect any of these signs of wet rot, as it can help prevent further structural harm and the potential for costly roof replacement.
You shouldn't panic however, because to prevent these problems occurring, a few simple steps like examining piping for leaks, cleaning and checking your roof & gutters for leaks and repointing brickwork, should reduce such issues. If you contact a knowledgeable damp proofing specialist in Barnstaple, they'll check all these areas, and prepare a plan for both solving your damp issues and forestalling further episodes.
CONDENSATION
One of the most common forms of damp in many properties in Barnstaple, condensation is super easy to spot. Small droplets of water form on cool surfaces when warm, humid air makes contact with these surfaces. Condensation is commonly found in areas with poor ventilation and high humidity, such as in kitchens, boiler rooms and bathrooms.
To prevent condensation problems, easy strategies include ensuring that there's enough ventilation in the main trouble spots, and wiping away any droplets the moment they appear. To help expell the moisture laden air from your home, you might need to install or upgrade cooker hoods, extractors and air bricks.
A damp proofing survey by a trustworthy Barnstaple specialist may also find circumstances which contribute to the problem by drawing in damp air from the outside. Circulation and airflow must be properly regulated to successfully minimise condensation, and a certified damp proofing specialist will be able to give advice and offer solutions on this subject.
RISING DAMP
Homes built since 1875 in the UK have required a damp proof course to be fitted as standard. It's possible that you may not have one fitted if your property or home in Barnstaple was built before this year. If your home was built after this year, but you're still experiencing rising damp issues, it could be that your damp proof course or membrane has been compromised.
If you believe that you may have rising damp, tide marks on walls, a white powdery deposit being found on floor surfaces or appearing on walls and crumbling or rotten skirtings, are good signs that you might be correct. Although the existence of these isn't conclusive, they're all clear indications of rising damp issues.
The initial step towards handling your rising damp should simply be to check whether you've actually got a damp course on the external walls of your property in Barnstaple. For satisfactory protection it should be 150 millimetres (approximately 6 inches) above ground level. You can dig away the surrounding earth to generate this space if it is currently not sufficient, or you can install a damp course higher up if the first option is not feasible.
If this isn't the problem and your DPM (damp proof membrane) is in fact correct, there could be more problematic issues to resolve caused by the moisture coming up from the ground beneath, through your flooring, and into the walls of your home.
Damp proofing experts in Barnstaple can quickly identify and remedy rising damp issues using a number of different procedures. Older homes which either don't have a DPM, or have one that's damaged over a considerable area, can have a damp proofing cream injected into the external walls. This involves drilling holes at intervals along the brickwork and the special cream injected with a nozzle to fill the spaces behind the brickwork down to below ground level.
If the damp proof cream isn't sufficient, or the damage is too extensive to your membrane, a new damp proof course may have to be installed. Though this is of course a pretty extreme course of action, it may be the only way to resolve your rising damp effectively.
Another option for smaller areas of damage could include painting on a layer a waterproof (bitumen based) latex emulsion coating. As this is applied beneath any existing floor coverings, wooden flooring, carpeting and tiles will have to be lifted and moved before this process can commence. This is especially effectual in basements as an integral part of the "tanking" process to make a room that is watertight. For additional protection in such troublesome areas, your Barnstaple damp proof specialist might suggest applying building paper (a specialist foil backed membrane) before the bitumen coating has dried completely.
Tanking: Tanking an area, like a basement or below ground area, is a process of covering any exposed surfaces with a watertight paint. All wall covering and plaster must be removed and the surfaces in question correctly prepared before work commences, because this coating must be applied at the base level of walls and floors. Once this coating has been put on, it must be permitted to dry thoroughly before replastering any wall surfaces and decorating over it. You should always obtain more than one specialist opinion on whether this is really the only remedy for your rising damp problems, as this is a very disruptive job since it must be applied to an entire basement level or ground floor of a property.
SOLVING DAMP WITH DEHUMIDIFIERS
Condensation problems can certainly be helped through the use of dehumidifiers, which are an effective way of lowering the moisture content in the air. The fact that these products merely mask the cause of the damp and don't cure it, is the drawback with dehumidifier use. A certified damp proofing specialist in Barnstaple will be glad to give you advice on possible solutions if you're suffering from dampness in any area of your property.
FINDING A TRUSTWORTHY DAMP PROOF EXPERT IN BARNSTAPLE
The most trustworthy recommendations for local specialists with regards to home improvement projects are usually friends and family. Before signing up for any damp proofing services, always see if you can get at least three price quotes from various Barnstaple companies. If you are in any doubt about any company you could ask to look at qualifications and professional memberships.
Look for qualifications and membership from organisations such as the Property Care Association (PCA) or the DPA (Damp Proofing Association), or contractors holding the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments or the Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness (CSTDB) professional qualifications.
Membership of the PCA or DPA guarantees your selected damp proofing provider is well qualified and has acquired the appropriate experience to provide a top notch damp proof service. Any work completed by one of their members is also guaranteed.
Damp proofing services are available in in Barnstaple and also in nearby places like: Roundswell, Umberleigh, Shirwell, Tawstock, Lydacott, Bishops Tawton, Goodleigh, Sticklepath, Miles Platting, Landkey, Whiddon Valley, Strangeways, Swimbridge, as well as in these postcodes EX31 1LH, EX31 1RE, EX31 1PU, EX31 1QP, EX31 1JU, EX31 1TS, EX31 1BD, EX31 1YN, EX31 1LE, and EX31 1HG. Local Barnstaple damp proof specialists will most likely have the phone code 01271 and the postcode EX31. Checking this can confirm you're accessing local providers of damp proofing. Barnstaple home and business owners can utilise these and various other similar services. Just click the "Quote" banner to get damp proofing price quotes.
PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) Barnstaple
For alleviating damp issues within your home in Barnstaple, PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) might be the ideal solution. If you have noticed damp and mould in your property or condensation around the windows then PIV can help to reduce the humidity. To achieve this, a constant flow of fresh air is supplied. Steady refresh and replacement of air inside your house has been demonstrated to improve air quality, reduce odours and pollutants, and decrease dust mite allergens, thus improving day-to-day life for asthma and allergy sufferers. One thing about PIV systems is that it works better when installed in a roof space, and your premises does require to be relatively airtight. When gaps and spaces exist around doors or windows, fresh air can escape while polluted air enters, since air follows the path of least resistance, similar to water.
Black Mould - Prevention and Cure
Black mould, a type of fungus, can be found growing in damp, humid areas throughout your home, particularly in cellars, bathrooms and kitchens. Appearing as dark, slimy spots, it can quickly spread if left untreated. This mould is unsightly and can cause serious health issues, particularly for people with respiratory problems or allergies.
It's essential to maintain good ventilation and dryness in your home to prevent black mould. Promptly repair any leaks and utilise dehumidifiers in moisture-prone areas. Regularly cleaning with mould-killing solutions can help to keep mould under control and promote a healthy living space.
If black mould is found in your Barnstaple home, ensuring its safe removal is essential. Wear protective gear like a mask and gloves, and use a mould remover or a mixture of water and bleach to clean the affected areas. For serious mould infestations, professional treatment is necessary to completely eliminate the mould and prevent future growth. (Black Mould)
DPC Replacement Barnstaple
Maintaining the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of your property in Barnstaple necessitates timely replacement of the Damp Proof Course (DPC). The existing DPC, over time, can deteriorate due to wear and tear, potentially leading to rising damp. Vigilant observation for signs such as damp spots, deteriorating brickwork or crumbling plaster is crucial. DPC replacement involves removing the old, ineffective barrier and installing a new, robust one. This process typically requires professional expertise, as it demands precision and thoroughness to ensure a reliable seal against moisture intrusion.
The choice of materials for the new DPC can vary, from traditional methods like bitumen or slate to more modern options such as chemical injections. Properly executed DPC replacement not only prevents further moisture-related damage but also helps maintain a healthy indoor environment and preserves the value of your Barnstaple property. Frequent inspections and timely DPC replacement can go a long way in ensuring your home remains dry and structurally sound. (64887 DPC Replacement Barnstaple)
More Barnstaple Tradespeople: Of course, when you're doing home renovations in the Barnstaple area, you'll probably be in need of all types of different tradespeople and together with a damp proofer in Barnstaple, you may additionally be in need of repointing in Barnstaple, stone & brick cleaning in Barnstaple, a tiler in Barnstaple, scaffolding in Barnstaple, bricklayers in Barnstaple, plumbers in Barnstaple, a painter & decorator in Barnstaple, CCTV installation in Barnstaple, a carpenter in Barnstaple, waste removal in Barnstaple, a builder in Barnstaple, basement conversion in Barnstaple, polished concrete flooring in Barnstaple, and various different Barnstaple specialists.
Barnstaple Damp Proofing Tasks
There are a wide array of tasks that can be conducted by your local Barnstaple damp proofing specialist including damp proofing inspections, cementitious tanking, rising damp treatment, cavity wall tie replacement, mildew and mould removal, damp proof injection, damp proofing concrete floors in Barnstaple, cavity wall construction in Barnstaple, japanese knotweed control in Barnstaple, damp treatments, wood rot treatments, mould treatments, property surveys, damp proofing services, damp proofing surveys, damp proofing assessments, rendering repairs, damp proofing a garage, solving condensation problems, flood defence, pressure grouting, damp proof cream treatments, garage floor damp proofing in Barnstaple, solutions for penetrating damp, damp control, damp proof paint applications, rising damp prevention, leak detection, damp proofing brickwork, wet rot treatments, and lots more. Listed are just an example of the duties that are undertaken by those doing damp proofing. Barnstaple providers will be happy to tell you about their entire range of services.
Damp Proofing Near Barnstaple
Also find: Swimbridge damp proofing, Strangeways damp proofing, Whiddon Valley damp proofing, Roundswell damp proofing, Umberleigh damp proofing, Lydacott damp proofing, Tawstock damp proofing, Shirwell damp proofing, Miles Platting damp proofing, Bishops Tawton damp proofing, Goodleigh damp proofing, Landkey damp proofing, Sticklepath damp proofing and more. These and other locations are catered for by damp proofing companies and related tradesmen and women. Providing tailored solutions to ensure your home's longevity and safety, these local experts comprehend the challenges posed by the region's weather. Health issues and structural damage stemming from damp problems necessitate their immediate and effective resolution. If you're a home or business owner looking to obtain accurate and competitive damp proofing quotes tailored to your specific needs, you simply have to click here. Do you have a problem with damp in your home or business premises? Get a quote today!
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