Damp Proofing in Windsor

Is it time to Damp Proof your Home?

Above Water Damp Proofing are experts in damp proofing in Windsor and the South East. Having over 50 years combined experience, we have been offering solutions for damp proofing in Windsor, London, Surrey and Kent, providing only a high quality service all of the time.

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Welcome to Above Water Damp Proofing

Offering solutions for damp proofing in Windsor and the surrounding areas!

Offering our services to both domestic and commercial clients, we ensure only honest and trustworthy advice when it comes to all our damp proofing solutions. We have been proudly serving customers for many years with damp treatment, woodworm services, waterproofing, timber preservation, as well as other property treatments. We are the fully qualified and experienced team able to deal with any necessary solution when it comes to damp proofing in Windsor and all the surrounding areas.

If left untreated, property problems only become worse over time. We are the damp proofing company in Windsor that will provide a free survey and quotation only to advise you on the best method to treat the issue. We are extremely cost effective, ensuring we do not compromise on our professional approach and highly quality of work. We are the specialists when it comes to damp proofing in Windsor and all areas within the South East.

Always staying ahead of the game and up to date with latest technologies, Above Water Advanced damp proofing possess the following accreditation; Full City and Guilds (accredited qualification for all aspects of damp surveying and treatments), CSCS - Construction Industry Scaffolding Record Scheme (to assure that we're safe and qualified in the use of scaffolding should the job require it), Skanska (BPS Phase 2 Scaffolder), Kent Independent Training Services-accredited (certificate for correct and safe use of portable power tools - tested every six months). As well as these accreditations, we have a strong status on many platforms for providing a consistent high quality service to many happy customers. We are the professionals, when it comes to any solution for damp proofing in London, Surrey, Berkshire and the surrounding areas.

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How to Identify Rising Damp

Being able to identify the signs of rising damp at an early stage will allow you to intervene and avoid the more serious consequences.

If a tide mark is visible, yellowish-brown damp stains may appear along the skirting board. This is typically another sign of the moisture within the walls evaporating.

As the moisture rises from the ground by capillary action, the water contains salt washed out from the brick onto the plaster often leaving walls damp to touch. As the water evaporates, the salt fragments are left leaving a residue and creating fluffy white deposits. The salt draws moisture from the air leaving a permanent damp smell within the wall. Salt-contaminated plaster is one of the clearest indicators of rising damp and is a very common sign.

Damp stains and peeling wallpaper can be an indication of condensation issues but by feeling the wall with your hand you may be able to hear the paper crack and crumble due to the moisture-attracting salts behind the wallpaper drying.

Depending on the amount of moisture there is within the building fabric of the wall and the humidity of the property, black mould can be an indication that there is a form of dampness in your property. If the black mould is located along the skirting board and does not affect other areas of the property, it could be a sign of rising damp.
These Are Some Examples Of How Rising Damp Can Develop

In some cases in older properties there may be no original damp proof course in place at all and without the sufficient protection from rising moisture from ground there will be at some stage structural rising damp.

Most rising damp problems that affects some areas of property's is normally down to the original dpc has now become inactive, as dpc's (damp proof course) were usually made from either bitumen felt or slate originally, usually last between 20-25 years before the fabric of the dpc begins to disintegrate between the course of bricks where they were originally installed. This then allows moisture to begin to rise up from the foundations past the inactive level of defense (dpc) spreading into the capillaries of the mortar and brickwork and eventually causing internal rising damp.

If left the damp areas will begin to surface and cause bubbling of paint/blown plaster/salt eruptions and eventually microbial bacteria.
These Are Some Examples of How Penetrating Damp Can Develop

If the structure of a building is failing, then your property may be allowing moisture to soak completely through the wall. This is a sign that your property's waterproofing system is failing , the most common causes of penetrating damp are faulty / defective or pourus render or brickwork.

You can also find penetrating damp where the external ground levels are higher than the internal floors or damp-proof membranes to concrete ground floors or solums below your ground floor are defective. You may also find damp in areas below ground level like the basement or cellars of your home.

Some common places to check for potential penetrating damp causes include: The roof. Missing tiles, the pointing, roof ridge tiles (the shaped tiles at the very top of the roof), and flashing (the point at which a roof meets the wall or a chimney) are all key areas to inspect for causes of penetrating damp on a roof. If any of these are missing or loose, they’ll need maintenance to stop or prevent penetrating damp. Window frames. These must be checked to see if there are any gaps or cracks around the frame. If there are, these should be filled with a flexible frame sealant. Also, make sure to check that there is a “drip groove” – a groove intended to stop water running onto the wall – under the window sill. If one does exist, make sure it hasn’t been filled in, and if it doesn’t, a good solution is to add a hardwood strip around 35mm from the front edge.

Door frames. Any cracks that exist around door frames will need repairing. In addition to this, if your external door doesn’t have a weather bar – a board that sits at the bottom of the door and protects from excessive rain – it may be time to think about fitting one.

External walls. Cracks in external masonry or missing pieces of mortar (the filling – cement or otherwise – between bricks) can cause penetrating damp. If this happens to be the case, make sure these are repaired with an appropriate filling material.

The masonry or external render can become porous or crack with the render breaking away from the masonry allowing rainwater to get in. Get in touch with our team to find out more about what would be best for your home. External rainwater gutters, downpipes and drains. Check the status of your external rainwater goods. If they are leaking, they could cause penetrating damp to your property.

Drains should be checked to ensure that they are not blocked and causing water to back up into the building.

It may also be that old bricks or chimney heads have become damaged and porous, allowing water access to your home. These must either be repaired or painted with an exterior silicone water-repellent or lime wash that will still allow your walls to breathe. This also doubles as a good preventative measure; better to nip the problem in the bud now at a cheaper cost than deal with a far more expensive fix further down the line.
What Is A Damp Proof Course?

A Damp Proof Course, or DPC for short, is a barrier that stops damp from the ground rising up into a building. There are two main types of DPC: membrane damp proofing and chemical damp proofing.

Membrane damp proofing is essentially an impervious barrier which is laid along the bottom brickwork at least 150mm above the ground level during the construction of a house. Chemical damp proofing is usually a remedial DPC, meaning it is introduced by damp proofing specialists when the original DPC fails.

Damp proof injection refers to the installation of chemical damp proofing along the base of the walls of a building that is suffering from rising damp. While it does not form a physical barrier like membrane damp proofing, it lines the pores of the masonry wall with a silicone resin water repellent.
How Do Damp Proof Injection Creams Work?

Damp proof creams are scientifically formulated to penetrate deep inside the building material. They have a consistency that allows the active ingredient, silane, to be absorbed into the substrate both vertically and horizontally without running out. The silane then lines the capillaries before curing to create a water repellent barrier.

The type of chemical damp proof course that should be used is dependent on the wall construction and aqueous based fluid DPC’s may be injected by using high-pressure and low-pressure techniques instead of using DPC creams. Chemical injection DPC is usually used for brick or stone buildings, and our experienced surveyors know exactly how to recommend the most suitable remedial action.
Damp Proof Treatment Using Injections

After our initial survey, our technicians will get to work preparing the affected area both internally and externally before the damp injection begins. This may involve removing fixtures and fittings such as skirting boards and radiators to provide access.

If your property is suffering from rising damp, then any salt contaminated plaster will need removed before injecting a damp proof course. Plaster is usually removed to a height of no less than one metre to remove the salt affected plaster prior to injecting the chemical DPC.

Small holes (around 12mm) will then be drilled horizontally into the wall mortar joint to a depth of around 20 – 30mm from the full thickness of the wall, and the damp proof course will be injected into the boreholes. Left in the wall, the injected chemicals will penetrate the masonry surrounding the borehole. The cream then gets to work creating a water-repelling barrier.

After the damp proof injection, our team will re-plaster internally. Our specific re-plastering materials will ensure that any residual salts in the masonry do not affect the new plaster. This chemical damp proofing solution will provide you with a minimum of 30 years of damp free walls in your property, with the issue of our 30 year guarantee for your peace of mind and also the work can be backed up by the independent GPI guarantee insurance scheme if required.
What Is A Damp Survey

When damp appears in your property, you need an experienced damp specialist to accurately diagnose the cause of the problem and provide the most appropriate repair specification. Failure to properly diagnose a damp related problem can result in unnecessary repairs and further costly damage.

Our Surveyors are qualified to CSRT standard (Certificate Surveyor in Remedial Treatment) and experienced in all types of damp issues that could affect your property. With over 85 years’ experience in property preservation, we have the experience and knowledge to tackle any property damp problem you might have, with industry-leading guarantees that are backed up by protection insurance schemes.
What Is Relative Humidity?

“Relative humidity” is the humidity reading that you are probably more familiar with when dealing moisture related issues and for the purposes of finding out the ideal home humidity for yourself and your family, this is also the measurement we are going to use. While absolute humidity measures the amount of water vapor in the air, relative humidity measures the current level of moisture in the air out of how moist the air could be.

Research shows that the ideal relative humidity for your home is between 40%-60%. However, to discourage the growth and spread of mold, levels should be kept below 50%. But, again, adjust this to match your comfort levels. This relative humidity in your home should also scale with the outdoor absolute humidity.
What Are Issues With Relative Humidity

When the humidity is too high in your home you’re probably going to notice the effects.

High humidity promotes the growth and spread of mold.

Those who suffer from asthma and allergies may experience worsened symptoms.

Trouble sleeping in uncomfortable conditions
Moisture problems in your home – You might notice condensation on your windows.

This excessive moisture can cause damage to your furniture and fixtures.

Abovewater has a range of systems for condensation control UK, from simple extractor ventilators, single room solutions, incorporating heat recovery ventilators, to full positive pressure units and ventilation systems, which displace and dilute moisture-laden air and ensure air circulation within the property.

This provides the optimum distribution point for the incoming air, and installed in conjunction with Abovewater Passive Ventilators, achieves excellent removal of damp, humid air, preventing condensation with our effective condensation control UK.

Who are we?

Surveyors at Above Water damp proofing, are extremely experienced and have a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to damp proofing solutions. Eddie, excels in his knowledge of most building trades and has an excellent understanding of how damp is caused and how to eliminate and resolve most damp problems. Above Water Damp Solutions are the damp proofing company in Windsor that are reliable, highly skilled, qualified and have many years experience.

Our Mission:

To provide hassle free damp proofing solutions, whereby we exceed expectations, offer a high quality service as well as value for money

Our Services

Damp Surveys & Advanced Diagnostics

Offering damp surveys and advanced diagnostics in Windsor, Surrey and Kent.

Do you require a specialist in damp proofing in Windsor and the surrounding areas of London? Above Water Damp Proofing will locate the problem, advise on an honest solution and offer treatment to resolve the issue before it becomes a more serious issue.

Using the latest advanced technologies and diagnostics, we provide free damp surveys to identify the damp problem and advise on the best possible solution to tackle the problem.

We'll also provide a no obligation quotation, so you know what needs resolving and the price of the treatment ahead of time. Upon agreement, we'll then arrange a suitable time to start the work and provide a timescale for completion.