DampTech Damp Cure Expert
HOW DO YOU FIX RISING DAMP ?
The only way to treat rising damp is to create a new damp-proofing course to prevent moisture movement through the structure. Historically, walls were cut into and masonry removed to install a new physical damp-proofing course along the masonry line. This process poses a number of problems for most structures. For one, it's a lengthy, difficult, and expensive process which involves physically cutting up and repairing parts of your home or building. It's also risky for old buildings that are most affected by rising damp as they are more likely weaker structures where further damage to its integrity should not be risked.
Our recommended course of action is to use damp-proofing course technologies that protect against rising damp without the need to damage your home or building. Our damp-proof course products can waterproof and saltproof a building by injecting them into a structures masonry. To do this, holes are drilled in the brick or masonry, then our pressurised fluid is injected, creating a barrier to rising damp.
Residential Chemical Injection Damp-proof Course system.
Our Chemical Injection Damp-proof Course system by Westox has been used as a proven system in Australia for over 38 years. It has been used on some of Austraila's oldest buildings, ranging from victorian style terraces to major conservation projects.
Installation of the Chemical Damp-proof Course system is classified as structural and remedial works, it is an integral necessity to a light and dry internal habitat.
A simple diagnosis can be made by placing a Tramex Moisture Meter onto affected walls. The reading of the meter indicates the amount of moisture in the walls.
On commencement of the rising damp job, our expert applicators will remove original skirtings. The skirtings will be replaced at the end of the Chemical Damp-proof Course work. If the skirting is rotten or in poor condition then a replacement skirting must be used.
The damp effected plaster is then removed to expose the brick or stone.
Salt contamination of the old plaster is caused by the moisture containing salts, rising up through the capillaries of the brickwork from the ground below.
These salts build up in the plaster over a period of time and attract airborne moisture. It is the expansion and contraction of these salts which cause the familiar rising damp symptoms of eroding and blistering paints and plaster.
A course of brick or stone is selected to become the new dampproof course/ a series of 10mm holes are drilled into the masonry at an appropriate depth and width.
The Westox Chemical Injection Pump is then introduced and the injection lances are placed into the holes and a seal is formed by a rubber expansion washer which holds the lance firmly into the brick or stone.
Westox Chemical Injection Fluid is then pumped into the brickwork and the fluid is forced under pressure into the capillaries of the brick or stone until it is visually evident that saturation has taken place. The injection fluid continues to penetrate through the masonry and mortar joints by capillarity for approximately 24 hours.
This has now formed the new dampproof course.
After a drying period the walls are replastered using the Westox Salt Retarder to complete the job. The new render is designed to allow the passage of water vapour, so that the residual moisture Can dissipate from the wall.
Westox Salt Retarder
A large part of the final process is the inclusion of the Westox Salt Retarder in the render / plaster as an additive when the wall is being re-rendered and/or re-plastered.
Used as a controlled waterproofing additive to ensure that residual hygroscopic salts are discouraged from moving to the new surface during the drying out of the walls after the installation of the Westox Chemical Injection Damp-proof Course.
Meritex Pty. Ltd. expert services provide building solutions for the future.
- Custom Rising Damp Cure
- Complex Water Ingress Termination
- Dampness + Moisture Remediation
- Penetrating Damp + Hygroscopic Salt Restoration
- Chemical Damp-proof Course Injections
- Salt Retardant Render + Set Plaster
- Structural Roofing Repair
- Tanking Membranes
- Subfloor Ventilation
- Expert Investigation & Reports
Master Builder N.S.W. ID 3033474