Damps – Damp Proofing Specialists in York

Damps provides damp proofing and damp treatment across York, Harrogate, Leeds, and throughout Yorkshire. We diagnose and treat rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation problems, and install damp proof courses for properties across the region. We’ve got over 35 years combined experience dealing with damp in Yorkshire properties.

Rising Damp Treatment in York

Rising damp happens when ground moisture moves up through walls where the damp proof course has failed or been bridged. This is common in York’s Victorian and Edwardian properties where original damp proof courses are often damaged or bridged by raised ground levels.

Treatment involves installing a new chemical damp proof course by injecting damp-proofing cream into mortar joints. The affected plaster then needs removing and replacing with salt-resistant renovation plaster like Limelite, which is breathable and suitable for older York properties.

Damp Proof Course Installation

We install chemical damp proof courses across York where the existing DPC has failed. However, we only recommend this where it’s actually needed. Before recommending DPC installation, we survey properly to check moisture levels, identify salt contamination, and confirm whether rising damp is actually the problem.

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp is moisture coming through walls, usually from outside. Common causes in York properties include damaged pointing, cracked render, blocked gutters, raised ground levels against walls, and defective roofs or chimneys.

Treatment depends on the cause – sometimes it’s repointing brickwork, sometimes rendering walls, clearing gutters, or lowering ground levels. We identify the source first, then fix it properly rather than just treating symptoms.

Condensation and Mould

Condensation causes black mould on walls and windows, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. It’s the most common damp problem we see and it’s often misdiagnosed as rising or penetrating damp.

Treatment involves improving ventilation with extract fans or passive vents, treating existing mould, and addressing the underlying causes like inadequate heating or poor airflow. This is much cheaper than unnecessary damp proofing.

Basement and Cellar Tanking

Waterproofing basements and cellars in York properties using tanking systems – either Type A waterproof membranes or Type C cavity drainage membranes depending on the situation. Type C systems are more common for York basements where some water ingress is expected.

This involves installing drainage membranes on walls and floors, connecting to sump pumps where needed, and creating a dry internal space. Good for basement conversions or stopping existing damp in cellars.

Damp Surveys

Proper damp surveys using moisture meters, thermal imaging, and physical inspection. We check moisture levels at different heights, look for salt contamination, assess ventilation, and identify the actual cause of damp. Many damp problems are misdiagnosed – condensation gets mistaken for rising damp, and penetrating damp from poor pointing gets treated with unnecessary injection courses.

Plastering After Damp Treatment

After damp proofing, contaminated plaster needs removing and replacing. We take plaster off to the correct height (usually 1 metre above the highest damp reading), then replaster using salt-resistant renovation plaster or lime plaster for period properties. This is essential – leaving contaminated plaster means salts will keep drawing moisture.

York Property Considerations

York has a lot of Victorian and Edwardian housing with solid brick walls and lime mortar. These properties need different treatment to modern houses. We use breathable plasters, understand lime construction, and avoid cement-based materials that trap moisture. Ground levels have often been raised over the years which bridges original damp proof courses.

Areas Covered

Damps covers York, Harrogate, Leeds, Wetherby, Tadcaster, Ripon, Thirsk, Boroughbridge, Northallerton, and throughout Yorkshire. We’re based locally and we understand Yorkshire properties and their damp problems.

Why Use Damps?

We’ve got over 35 years combined experience with damp problems in Yorkshire properties. We diagnose properly before recommending treatment, we don’t oversell unnecessary work, and we handle both the damp proofing and the replastering so it’s done as one complete job.

We understand older properties, we use appropriate materials for period buildings, and we guarantee our work. Most of our work comes from recommendations around York and Yorkshire.

Get a Damp Survey

For damp problems in York or across Yorkshire, contact Damps for a proper survey. We’ll identify what’s actually causing the damp and recommend the right treatment, not just sell you a damp proof course you might not need.

Based in York. Over 35 years experience. Proper diagnosis before treatment. All work guaranteed.

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