newdpc.co.uk
I’ve been fixing rising damp for over a decade. Most homes I visit show the same symptoms — tide marks, flaking paint, or white salts on the wall. Rising damp is caused when ground moisture travels up through brick or mortar by capillary action, usually because the original damp-proof course has failed or been bridged by render, plaster or floor levels.
My treatments follow PCA guidance and BS 6576 (2015) so the wall can dry naturally without sealing in moisture.
1️⃣ Moisture Profile — Readings from floor level up to 1.2 metre high
2️⃣ Salt Analysis — Dusty white powder on the walls usually indicating ground water, where the moisture has evaporated into the room leaving surface salts deposits.
3️⃣ Condition of plaster, skirting and floor junctions
4️⃣ Internal bridging — Usually screwed to wall skirting but anything which touches the surface below and above the DPC - allowing moisture to draw above the DPC and entre the wall.
5️⃣ External Ground Levels — Usually paths, renders, patios or planters built touching the external wall above the original DPC.
If the ground outside your home is too high or sits above the damp proof course, moisture can soak into the brickwork and cause damp inside. In these cases, a French drain is a simple and effective solution.
A French drain is a shallow trench filled with gravel that helps move water away from your walls. It reduces the amount of moisture sitting against the house and allows the wall to dry naturally. This is often recommended where patios, soil or driveways have been built too high and are causing damp.
1️⃣ Prepare the Area — Remove furniture, protect floors and salvage skirtings where possible.
2️⃣ Hack Off Contaminated Plaster — Up to 1 m or 200 mm above the highest moisture reading.
3️⃣ Drill and Inject a New Damp Proof Course — Using Dryzone cream or Sika chemical DPC, injected into mortar joints at fixed intervals to create a continuous barrier.
4️⃣ Apply Renderguard Salt-Resistant Render — Two-coat system with waterproofing additive to block salts while remaining breathable.
5️⃣ Finish with Breathable Plaster and Paint — Calcium sulphate plasters are avoided; I use lightweight lime-based or gypsum finishes.
6️⃣ Reinstate Sockets, Radiators and Skirtings neatly and cleanly.
Delta Membranes / Pumps — reliable, serviceable components
Permagard Cavity Drainage Systems — BS 8102 compliant membranes
Sika 1 Render / KA Tanking — where barrier layers are needed
Vapour Control Layers & Insulation — for warm, dry interiorsAll products are installed to manufacturer specification and PCA standards.
Walls usually take 6–12 months to dry completely, depending on thickness and ventilation. I always recommend leaving walls unpainted for the first few months and keeping rooms well ventilated.
If you’re planning decorating soon after treatment, I can apply a breathable membrane plasterboard system to speed things up without trapping moisture.
All rising damp treatments are backed by a written 20-year guarantee. I also offer optional Insurance-Backed Guarantees (IBG) for additional peace of mind. (please be aware of their terms and conditions, fees and that they are often between £1000 and £2000 extra and are in place of my personal 20-year guarantee.)
Work complies with:
BS 6576: 2015 – Code of practice for diagnosis and installation of chemical DPCs
PCA Code of Practice for Remedial Damp Proof Course Installation
BS 5250: 2021 – Control of condensation in buildings
Book a professional survey — I’ll measure, test and confirm the source before any work begins. If rising damp is confirmed, I’ll explain exactly how to fix it and what it will cost — no guesswork, no pressure.
newdpc.co.uk provides professional rising damp treatments across South London, Surrey and Kent. All work complies with PCA and BS 6576 standards and can be protected by insurance-backed guarantees.
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Honest surveys.
Permanent results.
Honest surveys.
Permanent results.
