Domestic Property, Brighton – Replastering After Fixing Rising Damp

This domestic semi-detached property is situated in the Sussex seaside town of Brighton. The house is a traditional brick build with solid walls double-skin walls and a render on the weather facing external wall.

The Problem – Rising Damp and Salt Damage

The property was subject to rising damp throughout. The worst affected area was the living room, particularly the bay window section. There were sections of damp-patches, bubbling paint and visible salt damage. The plaster was so damaged that it was necessary to completely remove the affected plaster areas. It was decided that, before replastering, a new DPC was required to cut-off the source of the rising damp.

The Solution – Dryrods and Damp-Resistant Plaster

Inserting Dryrods into the wall to form a damp-proof course

A combination of Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods and Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster was chosen for their speed and efficacy.

The plaster was fully removed and Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods installed near the base of the wall all around the room. This powerful treatment permeates through even fully saturated mortar and brick, and cures to form a highly effective barrier to rising damp.

The extensive salt contamination and decorative spoiling to the interior wall meant that it was necessary to replaster. It was not possible to use a normal gypsum-based plaster because the salts were likely to migrate through to the new plaster layer.

The owner was keen to retain a warm, dry and breathable decorating surface that would not damage the underlying building materials if it needed to be removed again. For these reasons, Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster was chosen.

The Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster was applied directly to the underlying brickwork in two layers and then, once dry, it was skimmed with a regular skim coat.

The source of the rising damp was stopped by the Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods and the Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster was applied to resist the further salt-contamination whilst the wall dried out. The occupiers can now enjoy a warm and dry living room for years to come.