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Rising Damp Myth and the Importance of Damp Surveying

Image Source: Peter Ward
Take a look at the bridge and the water line. There is a river full of water, plenty of moisture and more water that what's available within in a property.
Can you see any rising damp above the water line? (There is some splash/dirt line)
No rising damp, because damp does not rise or move up a wall as a natural phenomenon there is no such thing as rising damp yet an industry has been built upon this myth.
"Damp companies claim water rises up the wall 1 metre" (Ward, 2020) that is because 1 metre of chemical is more costly than ½ a metre and increases the clients cost and profits for the chemical injection company.

Rising Damp Myth

"Stephen Boniface, former chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), has told the institute's 40,000 members that 'true rising damp' is a myth and chemically injected damp-proof courses (DPC) are 'a complete waste of money'.
In response, the RICS has put the term 'rising damp' in inverted commas in its latest factsheet - according to Boniface, as a 'non-subtle hint' to its members.
'The most likely causes of damp are moisture penetration and, most commonly, condensation,' said Boniface in an interview with NBS Learning Channels" (Waite, 2009) 


Rising Damp Treatment

The above citations are examples that rising damp is a complete myth, wasteful and can even damage the brick / stone structure of traditional built properties particularly where brick spalling occurs over time.

Damp and the Chemical CONcept

Adrian's position is advantageous, he has viewed problem properties treated with chemical injection, where chemical injection was sold to the home-owner as a means of preventing damp, containing and wrapping up the building.
All sorts of damp companies on the premise to prevent damp, stop rising damp etc. Notice: beyond the drilled holes, the Damp Con-cept claims 1 metre is their yard-stick measurement to stop damp rising.
 Besides the uselessness on the chemical injection CON-cept, apart from wasting money, the really serious problem lies with the cement mortar, a hard, impermeable, modern material used on old buildings, it is a recipe for disaster because these pictures are evident that 
How can it work? If it worked then the building would not have sooo many spalled crumbling bricks. Do click for the Brick RePlace and Repointing Page in the Build section under Our Services and navigate to RePair RePoint Bricks to see many more pictures to demonstrate that chemical injection is not going to solve the problem. RePlace and RePoint with the correct traditional material to remedy the problem and take away the cement which is the real issue.


Old bricks are much softer than the modern bricks and they will spall and degrade much faster. Its hardly surprising that home-owners are horrified when they discover the CON-cept of chemical injection is a huge CON in the damp industry. Ironically home-owners remain CON-vinced that it works... Its a real shame because they even pay thousands of ££'s pounds to have it installed, 'lured in' by a free survey by a chemical injection salesman who poses as a so called damp expert.

Unbelievable!!! Then check Renuntio's RePair and Repoint Brick Page there is plenty on other pages of this website to show clients that chemical injection is a CON-cept. A super expensive CON-cept and does not deal with the real hard issue... that is the cement, modern, impermeable and utterly offensive to traditional properties. Visit the RePair and RePoint Bricks Page and just look at the difference between bricks before (spalling/crumbled) and those replaced after... you do not have to take our word for it. A picture tells a thousand words!

Engaging a Building Surveyor to survey the problem and provide professional advice, saves clients money, with low cost solutions that work. Traditional approaches to solve damp can restore the structural integrity of the building and ensure to deal with the damp issues.
The most important factor is that professional advice is impartial and Adrian is not trying to sell tubs of chemicals or gizmos or gadgets just professional advice for the benefit of the building and the owner.


Damp Environment

Damp occurs as a result of many conditions within the environment differing from one building to another therefore a damp and timber (defect) survey is needed. The purpose of having a building surveyor provide professional advice is to establish the cause of the damp and provide advice to the possible solution. The solutions that Adrian (Building Surveyor) will provide are traditional and do not involve any chemical injection as he is opposed to this wasteful approach that does nothing to resolve damp

Damp Case Study Example

​See client video (below) during the #Coronavirus Lockdown, Adrian advised his client
can you imagine if chemical injection had been used to treat this damp issue? Following Adrian's advice to locate the source of the problem this video demonstrates the client has found the cause of the problem which was a broken sewer pipe.
Can you image what chemical injection would have done in the attempt to resolve this damp issue?

References

Waite, Richard.The Architects' Journal; London Vol. 229, Iss. 23,  (Jun 25, 2009): 5.

Renuntio Ltd

Adrian Gill BSc(hons) is an affiliate member of the IHBC (Institute of Historic Building Conservation).

Renuntio Ltd. Houghton House, Sheepy Road, Sibson, Warwickshire, CV13 6LE
Head Office: 01827 880021
Midlands & East: 07449944628
South West: 07511041381

Registered in England & Wales 07472874

Disclaimer

Adrian Gill, Managing Director of Renuntio Ltd. and any other associated representatives is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of reference, use, or reliance to any information contained within this site. The content within the site is the opinion of the site administrator and/or Adrian Gill and other, Partners and Associates of Renuntio Ltd. Copyright 2020 Renuntio Ltd

Website Author: Amy Lawson-Gill 2020

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  • Home
  • About
  • HERITAGE
    • Heritage Builder
    • Listed Building Survey
    • Damp & Timber Survey
    • Team Renuntio
    • Rising Damp Myth
  • Our Services
    • Survey >
      • Remote Surveys >
        • Damp and Coronavirus
      • Damp & Timber Survey
      • Listed Building Survey
      • Snag Surveys >
        • FAQ
        • References
      • Roof and Chimney Surveys
    • Build >
      • Design and Build
      • Heart of Heritage Windows
      • Repair Repoint Bricks
      • Klargester Treatment System
      • Outbuilding and Digging
      • Other work
  • Contact
  • SHOP