Step 1: Damp Proof Courses
The Role of a Damp Proof Course The primary role of a damp proof course (DPC) is to be a VAPOR BARRIER from the ground to prevent or minimize the excessive evaporation of water into the wall fabric, which over time…
The Role of a Damp Proof Course The primary role of a damp proof course (DPC) is to be a VAPOR BARRIER from the ground to prevent or minimize the excessive evaporation of water into the wall fabric, which over time…
Ever wondered how buildings of the UNESCO world heritage site: Venice are looking so good despite standing in seawater for centuries? And what this has to do with a British Company: Core Conservation?The story of this award-winning lime product is…
This article was written for those who seriously consider converting a barn, or those who intend to renovate or extend an already converted barn. We are surveyors and as such we often come in when there are problems with the building…
Our 32-page PDF publication - DAMPNESS IN OLD BUILDINGS - written in plain English, with lots of pictures and among others, covers the following topics: An overview of main moisture sources affecting older buildings How you can diagnose dampness, visual signs presented with many pictures…
The subject of rising damp and how to solve it is surrounded by considerable controversy. This is partially due to its complexity, partially due to ongoing misinformation.Here are the most common misconceptions Use judgement and common sense in determine what…
The Effect of Heating - Simple, Non-Technical ExplanationHeating has a very important role in keeping old buildings dry, comfortable and healthy.In building conservation it is a widely accepted idea that slow, steady heating and some ventilation is all you need to keep…
Health consequences of living in a damp building, especially dampness related respiratory problems, are a hot topic nowadays and for a good reason. This kind of a problem is more common than one would think, so I thought to share…
Research & Development Phases The overall development of the magnetic DPC technology followed a top-down approach in two main stages:Stage 1: Building Level ResearchBecause the objective was to non-invasive;y handle rising damp at building-level, the initial research focused on the "big…
Here are some (common) solutions for the handling of rising damp - both traditional and modern approaches. Some of them are partial solutions to rising damp (e.g. they don't address all critical aspects of rising damp) or they are just…
The Main Challenge - SaltsAfter the installation of a damp proof course, renovation is the second major phase of handling rising damp.The main challenge in renovating after rising damp is the presence of GROUND SALTS.Walls affected by rising damp contain…
The Role of a Damp Proof CourseThe primary role of a damp proof course (DPC) is to be a VAPOR BARRIER from the ground to prevent or minimize the excessive evaporation of water into the wall fabric, which over time develops…
Understanding the BasicsBefore diving into the comprehensive topic of "solving rising damp", if you haven't done so, please familiarize yourself with the following pages, which contain important information about the movement of moisture and salts in the building fabric.Moisture Sources…
What is a Magnetic DPC?A magnetic damp proof course (or magnetic DPC) is the latest technical development in solving rising damp non-invasively, based on the latest research about the mechanism of rising damp and electromagnetic phenomena affecting a damp masonry.The…
An Old Farm House with Rotting JoistsWe have surveyed an old farm house, where the floor was already taken up and the joists were getting replaced. The client was facing a very common problem: rotting joists.It is easy to see…
A Special Case of Thermal ExpansionAs part of our R&D activity we do various lab tests and experiments.When one is doing proper science one can be surprised by an unexpected outcome. This is exactly what has happened recently, when we…
NO DAMP PROOF COURSE + HIGH WATER TABLE = PROBLEMThis is a case study of a 250 years old stone farm house, with a high water table, where nothing seemed to work... Old buildings built prior to the 1870s often do…
Interview with a Conservation ArchitectWe really enjoyed working with Mr John Dodson, old timer conservation architect, on solving damp problems in the St Peter's Church in Thornton. We couldn't miss this opportunity of asking him about his life-long experience with…
Fact: this is incorrect. The steady-height of rising damp depends on several parameters, one of them being the thickness of the wall fabric. Facts and Figures I recently came across a scientific publication in this regard, that analyzed rising damp in detail,…
Dampness is one of the main causes of decay of old buildings. Most common moisture sources affecting old buildings listed below. Rising damp: buildings are sitting on the damp ground. Over time, the porous building fabric can absorb a lot of…