What Is Rising Damp and Why Does It Need Treating?
Rising damp occurs when groundwater travels upward through brickwork, mortar and plaster by capillary action. When the damp proof course (DPC) fails, is bridged or was never installed, moisture rises up the wall carrying dissolved salts with it.
You will typically see it in the lower metre of your walls and it gets worse over time if left untreated. It damages plaster, causes timber to rot, encourages mould and can affect structural integrity.
Important: Rising damp is one of the most misdiagnosed problems in UK properties. Our Federation of Damp Qualified Surveyors carry out proper diagnostic surveys before recommending any treatment.
Signs of Rising Damp
- Tide marks or staining on lower walls — typically up to 1 metre from floor level
- White salt deposits (efflorescence) on brickwork or plaster
- Damp or wet patches on internal walls at low level
- Peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint at the base of walls
- Crumbling plaster where salts have crystallised
- Musty smell — particularly in ground floor rooms
- Rotting skirting boards or timber at floor level
How We Treat Rising Damp
Free diagnostic survey
Our Federation of Damp Qualified Surveyor visits, takes moisture readings and identifies the exact cause. Written report and quotation provided — no obligation.
Chemical DPC injection
We drill holes along the base of the affected wall and inject silicone-based damp proof cream, creating a new waterproof barrier inside the masonry.
Salt-contaminated plaster removal
Existing plaster is removed — it will be saturated with hygroscopic salts that continue to attract moisture even after the DPC is installed.
Specialist replastering
We re-plaster using salt-resistant renovation plaster or sand/cement render, specially formulated to withstand residual salts as the wall dries out.
Written guarantee
All rising damp treatment work comes with a written guarantee.