Damp proofing is quite technical and is best left to the professionals, but be sure to use an expert that is affiliated to the Waterproofing Federation of South Africa. It is much better to solve the root cause of the problem than simply to make a temporary decorative repair.
A damp proof course (DPC) is a physical barrier inserted into the fabric of a building to stop water passing from one place to another. This can be on a horizontal plane, stopping water rising up from the ground by being sucked up by the dry masonry above, or vertically to stop water passing from the outside of a building, though the masonry, to the inside. The most common material used it a waterproof plastic sheet.
When water leaks into your house not only is it unattractive and a health risk, but it weakens the structure. Leaking roofs, unsealed balconies and rising damp are common causes. Take the time to seal roof tiles and repair broken tiles. Make sure your balcony has proper drainage after storms and seal shower walls.
If you have flaking and blistering paint or white salts appearing on your walls, than you have the signs of lateral or rising damp.
Some likely locations of damp are:
- A problematic vertical damp course may cause lateral damp where the ground is higher than the internal floor level or on exterior walls where the plinth of the house is soil retaining.
- Showers and baths can have damp due to water seepage through the grout of the tile or condensation.
- Split level construction where the vertical damp course was ommitted - a common shortcut
- Basements
- Around plastered plinths
- In flower boxes
Lateral damp can be treated by 'tanking', that is stripping the plaster off the bricks, applying a cement sealant to the bare bricks to prevent damp penetration and plastering with damp repellent cement in combination with silicone injection, where neccessary to ensure the prevention of rising damp.
If a proper DPC was not installed during construction then it may be necessary to dig down and apply a good waterproofing system to the wall below ground level or to strip all the plaster below the DPC and down to the foundation level and waterproof your home.
If you suspect a damp problem, contact an expert as waterproofing your home will increase the value of your property and limit future inconveniences that may arise from unsightly damp problems.
Good Morning,
Could u please send me a list of recommended Damp Proofing specialists.
Kind Regards
Luciano Torannini
Luciano Torannini on 03/05/2010
Could you please let me have details of a well recommended Damp Proofing Specialist
Laetitia du Bruyn on 24/05/2010
Good Day,
Could you please send me a list of recommended professional Damp Proofing Specialist around Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Regards
G K M
Given Mabala on 28/05/2010
As above could you please give some contact details of DPS in the Pretoria area to come around and give some quotes.
Barry on 27/06/2010
Hi
I am looking for a list of recommended damproofing experts
joash on 11/08/2010
Good Day,
Could you please send me a list of recommended professional Damp Proofing Specialist around Cape Town
Keith Desmore on 22/09/2010
Good Morning,
Could u please send me a list of recommended Damp Proofing specialists.
Kind Regards
Alice Kirstein on 11/10/2010
I need someone with a good ref for damp / water proofing
Raymond Alexander on 22/10/2010
Please could you give us a quote on dampness coming through the concrete ceiling.
Lorraine Lines on 08/02/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialsits in the Roodepoort area.
Alida Rossouw on 13/02/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialsits in the Roodepoort area.
Alida Rossouw on 13/02/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing specialists in Gauteng
Alecia on 07/03/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialists in the Pretoria area/
Gay De Witt on 27/03/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialists in the Pretoria area/
Gay De Witt on 27/03/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialists in the Pretoria area/
Gay De Witt on 27/03/2011
Please send me a list of Damp proofing Specialists in the Pretoria area/
Gay De Witt on 27/03/2011
Please could you recommend a damproofing contractor in durban north for a small but irritating job
Thanks
Audry Golden on 31/03/2011
Please could you send me a list of damp proof specialists in the Sandton area
ANITA JUUL on 03/05/2011
Good Morning,
Could u please send me a list of recommended Damp Proofing specialists. We live in Krugersdorp and need someone with all the right credentials to solve our problem.
Thanks Arno Gerber
Arno Gerber on 05/05/2011
Hi, please could you send me a list of damp proof specialists in the Fourways area
Katja on 14/07/2011
Please could you recommend reputable damp proofing specialists in the orange grove area, Johannesburg.
catharine cooke on 19/07/2011
Good afternoon,
May you please send me a list of damp proof specialist in Fourways.
Thank you
Ntombie on 19/07/2011
Please could you recommend reputable damp proofing specialists in the Southern Suburbs Cape Town
Ani on 26/07/2011
please could you advise on an expert damp proofing specialist in Pretoria East area.Thanks
mari on 22/08/2011
Please advise of a reputable Damp Proofing company in the Edenvale area.
Thank you.
John Gambarana
Marais Steyn park
John on 29/08/2011
Good Day,
Please send me the names of specialist close to Margate, South Africa.
Many Thanks
Henry
Henry on 31/10/2011
Good day, could you kindly refer me to Damp Proofing specialists in the Florida, Roodepoort area in Gauteng, Johannesburg.
Thank you
Crystle on 16/05/2012
May i also have the list for the Pretoria area
Leon on 31/08/2011
Plz send me a list of Damp proofing expert in Cape Town
Zodidi on 01/09/2011
Please would you be so kind as to send me a list of damp proofing experts in the Pietermaritzburg KZN area, many thanks
Desiree Humphrey on 12/01/2012
Please send me a list of damp proof experts
Tnx
Marthinus on 16/01/2012
good day
can u please forward me contact details of damp proof experts from durban
thank u
Gulzaar on 19/01/2012
Evening
Could u please send me a list of recommended Damp Proofing specialists in Alberton or JHB South
Regards
Neil vd Merwe
Neil on 21/01/2012