One of the fundamental points of confusion on the subject of dampness is the confusion between rising damp and condensation. Recent research on condensation has finally clarified the differences between these two phenomena.Rising Damp vs. Condensation – Simple, Non-Technical ExplanationRising…
The topic of moisture sources in old buildings can be easiest understood by inspecting and understanding the main Water Cycle in nature. The moisture content of old buildings, which are an integral part of the greater environment, are being driven…
Fact: this is not true because they are used all over Europe and the world.I have seen DPCs in several countries I visited, including: Italy (including Venice), Austria, Germany, Monaco, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Romania - just to name a few.Here is…
Fact: it is not true. Some forms of damp proof courses go back to ancient Roman times.The Romans, being excellent engineers, that have built some masterpieces that lasted over 2000 years. Historic records show that they not only were aware…
Fact: damp proof courses are one of the most important defense mechanisms against rising damp and they are used all over the world.Just think for a moment. Up to about a hundred years ago buildings have been built without damp…
Fact: this is incorrect.Damp proof courses, just like everything in nature, is subject to aging and degradation over time - a natural physical law. Why would damp proof courses be an exception and violate this universal law?Let's look into this in…
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,…
Fact: no, it can't. They will not solve rising damp, but only mask its symptoms temporarily.Here is the technical explanation why is this.The study of rising damp involves four dynamically interacting key areas: The soilThe wall fabricThe finishThe environment (air)Water rises from…
Fact: all the above solutions can only manage rising damp short to medium term. For a full, long-term solution a damp proof course must be part of the solution package - this does not have to be a chemical DPC but…
Fact: rising damp is not condensation.Rising damp is a combination of several phenomena, condensation just being one of rising damp's sub-stages. (shown on stage 3)Water vapours move into the dry capillary and get deposited onto the capillary walls, initially as one…
Fact: it can and it does exist on its own.For its existence, it does not require any building defects - such as higher ground levels, lack of drainage, leaks, defective pointing or plastering, the existence of cement plasters etc. It can…
Fact: rising damp does exist.Why Wouldn't Exist?Here is the question. It wouldn't exist just because...Someone said so?Or someone said that rising damp is a fraud invented in 1962 by the UK damp proofing industry?Or someone else published a book telling that he…
On the previous page we have looked at the modern standpoint of science on rising damp, backed-up by hundreds of academic research papers, as well as by 200 years of historical records. Based on all the evidence the general consensus…