Author: Lisa Kinghorn

So you’ve identified that you have damp in your property. Perhaps you’ve found damp patches on a wall inside your home. Or maybe you’ve got blistering paint. Damp tends to happen when water from the outside manages to get into a building structure, but there are several ways you can actually treat damp to get rid of this problem. And certainly, if you leave damp without any treatment, there’s a high chance that you can lead to a rapid damage to the appearance and structure of your home in addition to any health hazards that may also be experienced.

The traditional route of damp proofing could be seen as an answer to your problem. It acts as a long-term barrier as a preventative before damp truly takes hold. Most properties have a damp proof course built into the walls just above ground level – in order to prevent damp from happening. Back in 1875 the Public Health Act was set up to make sure that all properties had some form of damp course built in, however, you might be aware that subsidence can happen and soon your walls can deteriorate if damp gets to them.

Retrospective fitting of a damp proof course is often done during rebuilding. However, it can cause major structural problems, particularly if the building is historic. It’s also unsuitable for walls that are randomly coursed. Not only that, it can cause deterioration of masonry underneath the damp course.

Damp proofing isn’t a permanent cure however. So you’re likely to have to find alternative solutions for the regular upkeep of your walls, which can be costly – in addition to finding the time to maintain.

If you were to choose a chemical option, this would involve injecting chemical solutions into the holes at the bottom of the wall in the hope of creating a waterproof barrier. Yet again, this may not be suitable for older buildings. If you’re thinking of using this method, you’ll find that injecting holes won’t be possible in granite or flint. It can also be difficult to create a substantial barrier in rubble walls with voids.

You could also opt for a tanking solution for penetrating damp. This is where a liquid chemical coating can be added to the wet walls. Or alternatively, a chemical injection where a concentrated solution is injected into holes in the affected wall. You would still need to re-plaster once the damp proofing has been completed.

But there are alternatives that can successfully treat the symptoms and the causes of damp without the need for chemicals. And more cost-effective too. The Schrijver System brings you a totally green alternative. With a lower installation cost and no need for redecoration, it also comes with a lifetime guarantee for total reassurance. No harsh chemicals are needed.

In a nutshell, it uses natural ventilation or airflow to prevent any damp from happening in your home. By simply inserting small hand-made elements into your outside walls just above skirting board level, dry air is able to easily flow from the outside into the elements. By doing this, it creates a drop in temperature so that any moisture is collected by the element. So you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ll have dry wall protection without having a detrimental effect on the environment or the health of anyone in your home.

The traditional method of treating damp is chemical injection which is usually done by creating a barrier between the damp and the house, however, it doesn’t address the root cause and is not a permanent solution.

Penetrating damp occurs when water from outside your home leaks inside the property. The cause could be small cracks in a wall, leaky pipes or blocked guttering with flashing around a chimney stack, damaged pointing or poorly fitted windows other sources. Continually being on the lookout for any signs will help you identify issues quickly:

• Test moisture levels with an electronic moisture meter
• Check downpipes are clear and household appliances are not leaking regularly
• Installation is carried out from the outside of your home only, not inside
• More cost effective than traditional damp treatments that require replastering and redecorating
• Look for water coming into the loft from the roof
• Make sure there are no cracks in your rendering
• Always keep your damp-proof courses clear

How to identify penetrating damp

Water leaking into a property will most likely cause damp but how can you tell it’s penetrating damp? Here are a few of the signs:

• Damp patches on walls, ceilings and floors – including upper floors (which rising damp would not reach)
• Musty smell and signs of mildew or mould
• Drips or puddles of water
• Damaged plaster – blistering or disintegrating
• Rotting skirting boards or floor timbers
• Damp patches that worsen after heavy or wind driven rain
• Decay in exposed brickwork or timber

How to fix damp and damp proof your home

The cause of damp could be as simple as a blocked gutter through to the more complex issues such as a leaking pipe behind a wall. Damp is treated by eradicating the source of moisture at its source – usually done by placing a barrier between the damp and the house. Damp proofing specialists Schrijver take it one step further by removing damp. Their Schrijver System providing a permanent chemical-free alternative:

• Long-term natural ventilation solution that is eco-friendly
• Only damp treatment that successfully removes moisture and guaranteed for life
• Damp proofing undertaken outside your home not inside
• More cost effective than damp treatments that require plastering/decorating
• No harmful chemicals used – only natural processes
• Damp proofing utilises natural airflow to reduce moisture levels
• Results in lower humidity level and continuous damp proofing protection

Mould problems in your home should be dealt with as soon as possible. Black mould is not just unsightly but is a serious potential health risk!

Mould produces substances that can cause an allergic reaction (allergens) and these increase the risk of respiratory infections, asthma and/or allergies. Babies & children, the elderly and sufferers of asthma and eczema are most at risk. But just how do you deal with mould problems in your home?

• The first course of action required is to directly tackle the mould, which means thoroughly cleaning the affected area. Harsh chemicals or disinfectants are not necessary. Simply wash the walls and surfaces with soapy water. Detergents such as washing up liquid or hand laundry powder will do the job just fine.
• If you are concerned that washing up liquid or mild detergents may not be strong enough then feel free to use a specialist mould removal spray. Just make sure that you follow the instructions on the container. Make sure you keep doors closed as the mould spores can become airborne once you start cleaning.
• If the mould or mildew has contaminated clothes or soft furnishings they should be removed and cleaned. You may have to consider replacing items such mattresses or soft furniture that has been badly contaminated.
• Wipe down walls and surfaces with your soapy water or your specialist mould removal product. Use a sponge or rag then dry off with another disposable cloth. Dispose of the cleaning and drying rags in a plastic bag to avoid further contamination.
• After removing all visible mould, vacuum clean the affected area, preferably use a machine fitted with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter which will capture the spores that will inevitably be in the room. During and after the cleaning process keep the area well ventilated, open the windows and allow all surfaces and walls to dry thoroughly.

Repeat this process for every room you have that has mould and be sure to throw away your disposable cloths each time so as not to spread the mould.

Once you are happy that there is no re-occurrence, you can apply anti-mildew paint on any affected walls.

Now for the Mould Prevention

Now that you have tackled the mould you need to turn your attention to stop it from returning. Mould thrives in a damp and humid environment and there are a number of causes of excessive humidityin a room or building that need to be considered but essentially they fall into two categories.

• Firstly, is there a build up of condensation? Most of these can be tackled and resolved quite simply. See our article about ways to reduce condensation in your property. Short-term mould prevention can be achieved with an electric dehumidifier which you can purchase for a reasonable price from a local DIY store.
• Secondly, is there an underlying issue of rising or penetrating damp?
  If rising damp is the cause of your mould problem then all of the above will help deal with the symptoms but you will need some expert help with the underlying rising damp problem.

Excessive moisture in your walls can also have a number of causes but these are best assessed by a Schrijver Damp Specialist who can evaluate and recommend appropriate action. The Schrijver System is designed to help your walls to breath and so dissipate moisture in a natural way, ventilating and damp proofing walls. For more information, see how the Dutch Damp Proofing System works.

The Schrijver System reduces moisture from external walls and is guaranteed for life. No harmful chemicals are involved, just natural airflow processes that reduce moisture levels in the external brickwork. The work is undertaken from outside the property not inside and is more cost effective than traditional damp proofing methods, saving money on costly redecorating and replastering.

For a healthier and more comfortable house deal with mould problems in your home right away and for further advice get in touch with a helpful Schrijver Specialist, call  01689 800101

Millions of homes in the UK experience some form of condensation every year. So if it’s something that you’ve spotted in your property, you’re not alone. The simplest signs that you’ve got condensation are where you can see water droplets streaming down the insides of your windows, particularly in the mornings. You might have even spotted it on your walls too. It’s more likely to affect single-glazed windows than double-glazed, however, it’s not impossible to see condensation there too.

You might be surprised to hear that it happens more frequently when the weather is colder. Condensation tends to happen where humidity rises, and as air can only hold a certain amount of moisture, if the air becomes cooler by contact with a cold surface like a window or wall, it can be seen as the droplets that you will have recognised.

It’s very simple for this to happen. Even breathing can cause condensation. Simple daily activities like showering, cooking and drying laundry indoors can create water vapour into the air which can soon cause a problem. If the moisture doesn’t have a chance to escape you may start to see signs of condensation. So if you’ve seen symptoms like damp walls and blistering of wallpaper or a musty or damp smell, it’s highly probable that condensation has started to affect your property. You may have noticed areas of mould growing, perhaps in the corners of your walls or ceiling. It may have been spotted in your wardrobe – in your shoes or even on bedding where your bed is next to an outside wall.

Managing Condensation

There are quite a few things that you can do to prevent condensation from happening in the first place. If you’re cooking, make sure you use an extractor fan and keep any boiling pans covered with a lid. Make sure your bathroom is ventilated wherever possible, and keep your door closed when showering or bathing. If you’re drying clothes, avoid drying them indoors, if this cannot be avoided then ensure the property is sufficiently ventilated. It’s important that you keep your heating on a low level so that there isn’t a rapid temperature change so that your walls don’t have a chance to get cold.

If you’ve got cavity insulation at your property you may think that this will solve your problem. However, like double-glazing, this can actually exacerbate the problem. The key to getting rid of condensation in your home is making sure that you have proper ventilation so that the condensation doesn’t get a chance to form in the first place. It’s vital to find the right balance between damp proofing and proper ventilation. And that’s where the Schrijver system can certainly help.

Delivering an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution that’s entirely chemical-free, installing the Schrijver system means that your property will have a solution that does not create any mess and there’s no redecoration needed. Not only that, it’s kinder to the environment and safe for all of the family. Handmade elements are installed into your walls which means that dry air is able to flow through from the outside and humid air is able to escape. This means that you’ll now have dry walls and continuous protection against any condensation or damp issues.