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If you’ve solved your damp issue and are ready to buy your waterproof, self-levelling compound, try Easi-Screed Industrial. If you still need to tackle rising damp, take a look at our guide below.
Most buildings in 2019 are built with a damp-proof course, however, this wasn’t always the case. Many older buildings were built without a damp-proof course resulting in rising damp making it necessary to make remedial repairs.
For many companies who are looking to repair their flooring from damage due to rising damp, it is important to understand the root cause of the problem. Below are three of the main reasons why there are damp issues in the first place.
New Concrete
A common mistake usually happens from not allowing the concrete to dry sufficiently, after the pouring of the concrete. It is important to understand how long freshly laid concrete should be left before the application of a paint.
The timing is dependent upon at least three factors:
- The thickness of concrete.
Architecturally, the saying goes “one day per mm of thickness”. Floors are often laid between 200 and 300mm of thickness and most companies do not have 200 – 300 days to wait. - The temperature.
- The humidity levels.
It is commonly known that should the general temperature levels and/or humidity level allow a ‘reasonable’ period of cure – a surface can be painted successfully after a period of only 4 – 6 weeks*
Degreasing/Cleaning of the Floor
The second common mistake in relation to dampness is application of paint after a liquid chemical preparation has been carried out. These chemicals are normally water-based and sufficient time must be allowed for the concrete to dry prior to application of floor paint.
The period of time is entirely dependent on both the atmospheric temperature and humidity. Consideration needs to be given to the porosity of the concrete and the amount of water allowed to soak in. All these points can have a huge influence on the amount of time the substrate will take to dry.
Brushing away or Aqua-vacuuming the excess/standing water as much as possible can help to speed up the drying process.
Damaged/No Damp Proof Membrane
As mentioned above, dampness may be rising up through the slab from the ground below due to having no Damp Proof Membrane at all (common in old buildings) or having a damaged/punctured membrane.
DAMP PROOFING SOLUTIONS
New Concrete and Wet Concrete should be left for the respective period of time for the floors to dry out, before applying an epoxy floor coating can be used to seal and waterproof the floor. A twin-pack epoxy cures chemically and provides a totally impervious finish.
However, in the case of Rising Damp, it is extremely important that any such dampness will be coming up with a certain amount of pressure and this will push off most floor coatings, self-levelling screeds and tiled floors as well as complete delamination of the flooring due to water pressure.
For this reason, it is very important to prime flooring before finishing off with a top coat. Once the Primer has cured, a top coat can then be applied to give a superb hard-wearing finish. A self-levelling cementitous screeds can be poured over rough and worn surfaces to provide a superbly smooth new, level surface.
Our technical team is available on live chat between 8:00 – 17:00 GMT to offer you advice! Ask our experts today.
*Disclaimer – please note that we do not recommend any painting of freshly laid concrete after a period of 4-6 weeks and cannot take responsibility for any problems that may be caused.
