Does Your Home Have a Damp Proof Course?

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A damp proof course is one of those things that most of us probably won’t give much consideration.  It is a discreet little black line amid the bricks on the exterior of our home that works away without any effort and we ignore it.  Until something goes wrong and we find signs of damp in our homes – then we turn to see if the damp proof course or DPC is doing its job.  Or we may discover that we don’t even have a DPC in our homes at all.  So what are damp proof courses and how do you know if yours is working?

Damp proofing basics

Damp proofing is a general term used to describe measures taken within homes and businesses to combat the process of damp and associated conditions.  Damp proof companies will use a range of techniques and treatments to stop damp, prevent reoccurrence and deal with the conditions that occur due to damp such as black mold or dry rot.

There are several different types of damp that affect properties, with three being the most common – rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.  The measures needed to deal with damp within a property depends on what type of damp is present and how it has gained a foothold in the property.

Damp protection

There are two main ways that damp proof companies will secure your property against damp problems – a damp proof course or DPC and a damp proof membrane or DPM.  The DPC is the most commonly used system and is the one that you can see as a thin black line in the brickwork of your home.

There are a few different types of DPC and some period properties may use older types that are no longer in use.  All have the same basic function – to stop water being absorbed through bricks and entering the interior of the property.  They do this by forming a water impermeable barrier that prevents the absorption and allows the water to simply evaporate naturally.

Damp proof membranes use a sheet of materials such as butyl rubber or polyethylene to create a barrier to stop the water.  The membrane is placed under a concrete floor to stop water seeping up through it then normal flooring is laid on top of this.

Sometimes the cause of damp doesn’t come from the ground but from the sky – penetrating damp is where rainwater is getting into the house and causing damp.  This isn’t associated with the DPC and will require a different course of action to deal with.

Dealing with damp

Unfortunately, most times you don’t realise that you don’t have adequate damp proofing on your property until you start the see the signs of damp in the house.  However, if you do spot any of the signs such as peeling wallpaper, tide or salt marks on walls or even black spots that indicate black mold, getting help quickly is important.

Damp proof companies can take a range of steps to deal with a failed DPC and to remove the damp from your home.  This will involve finding the source of the damp, stopping this weakness and then applying special coatings to walls and floors to make them waterproof.

Being damp free

Most homes will remain damp free and the DPC will continue to do its job.  But if you spot signs that you may have a damp problem or even want to have your DPC checked, then you can call an expert to conduct a survey and ensure that your home has no problems building up and remains damp free for years to come.