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New Treating Damp Guide

John Newton & Company have created the ultimate Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Damp Permanently, yours free when you sign up. This guide is full of information about how to diagnose the three main types of damp: rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation damp, with photos to help you spot the signs. It also includes some DIY tips to help deal with smaller damp problems.

Ultimate Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Damp

Please also visit our new ‘Solutions‘ page which explains in detail how Newton Damp Proof Membranes can help to permanently solve penetrating damp and condensation damp, and act as a rising damp treatment. Damp proofing problems such as rising damp and penetrating damp lead to damp walls, and can seriously damage your property. Even minimal damp penetration or rising damp will cause discolouration to surface plaster, decorations and can even affect a building’s structural integrity.  Damp problems can also be bad for our health, aggravating respiratory problems and encouraging the emergence of mites and mould. In many cases, damp can be made worse due to poor maintenance. Newton Damp Proof Membranes act as a once-and-for-all damp walls treatment.

If you need a good Damp Proofing Specialist, ring us on 0800 068 0122 and we will put you in touch with one of our recommended damp proofing experts, free of charge. We have not just the best damp proofing systems but the best contractors to diagnose your problem, design your system and then install Newton Damp Proof Membranes to the very highest standard. Though our damp proof membranes can be installed by a skilled builder, if you are in any doubt we would recommend one of our professional installers who are highly experienced at fitting the material quickly and thus cost effectively. A damp proofing specialist would also be able to provide you with a guarantee for installing the Newton Damp Proof Membranes.

If you have a below ground damp problem – like a damp basement – we can advise you on the best waterproofing solution. Our Newton System 500 is widely recognised as the premium waterproofing membrane system available and the preferred choice for professional specifiers and waterproofing contractors. For further information please visit www.newton-membranes.co.uk, or ring us for free technical advice. We operate a scheme called Newton Basement Waterproofing Contractors (NSBC), an elite group of professional waterproofing contractors who work in partnership with Newton’s to provide the specifier and their clients with the highest quality products, design and installation available.

John Newton & Company is a market leader in the manufacture of top quality, innovative and highly reliable waterproofing and damp proofing solutions. Whether a damp wall needs treating, or a full basement waterproofing system is needed, we can put you in touch with the best damp proofing or waterproofing company in your area.

Mr Edwards from Hull said “I found the Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Damp Permanently a very informative document. It helped me to identify the type of damp problems in my home, and even suggested some DIY remedies. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about treating damp”

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Flood Damage –

How Damp Proofing Products Can Help

There is another season to add to the calendar in the United Kingdom. The flood season is upon us and this year it is worse than ever. Traditionally November is the month which sees the most days of rain and this year it has seen torrential downpours on a scale which has not only fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood defences and caused flood damage to thousands of homes and offices throughout the country. Experts are telling us that the extended rainfall may be a direct result of global warming but the harsh reality is we are living with the real risk of flood damage to properties global warming or not.

Flood Damage Has Been Extensive Throughout the UK

Proactive flood defence strategy is now being called on to protect vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK. Various damp proofing products and systems are available to local councils to protect structures from flood damage and in the last few weeks the towns which have implemented flood defence have benefited by giving emergency services time to evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving. Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some properties have been able to weather the effects of flood by installing flood defence measures to properties themselves. Technology has moved on from the basic sandbags across the door threshold to items such as flood gates across the door and windows, tailor made caps for air bricks and even external sump pump stations to capture the water prior to coming against the property.

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Newton 503 Mesh Cures Aggressive Damp Penetration Externally In An Exposed Seaside Cottage

Newton 503 Mesh being installed to the walls

Talmine Cottage is located on the edge of the coast of Tongue Bay and the Atlantic coast. The stone structure was suffering from aggressive damp penetration from the elements. The penetrating damp meant that driving rain and salt air was forcing its way through the structure. The client had tried repointing the stonework, using traditional lime mortars, but this did not prevent the ingress of the damp penetration.

Extensive boroscope and infra red surveys of the cottage showed that there
was no infill of the cavity, which was the traditional means of construction at the time of the build. This meant that the driving rain was soaking through the external stone leaf and filtering through to the internal finishes, without impediment, leading to aggressive damp penetration.

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Internal Damp Proofing

Can I Use Damp Proof Membranes On My

Damp Cellar?

Newton Specialist Basement Contractors - the most important step towards a dry basement

In a word, no. Damp proofing membrane systems are designed to deal with capillary held moisture only – with smaller damp proofing problems, for example damp walls – and as such are only suitable for above ground application. Where external ground levels are higher than the internal floor levels such as in a damp cellar then there is a risk of hydrostatic water pressure and damp proofing walls only will be a futile exercise if a running water situation occurs Whenever there is a situation where earth is bearing against the structure and making the wall damp a damp proofing membrane solution should not be considered. It would also not conform to BS8102 (British Standard for The Protection of Structures From Water From The Ground).

A Full Waterproofing Membrane System Is Best

The remedial method adopted should be a waterproofing system design and application. John Newton and Company’s website for full details about their Waterproofing Membrane System. Their Newton System 500 is regarded as the premium drained cavity waterproofing system available and the preferred choice for professional specifiers and professional waterproofing contractors alike.

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Damp Proofing Membranes Versus Damp Injection

 

Newlath 2000 was a cost effective and time efficient solution in this Grade II Listed Building

The damp injection method is a common way of dealing with damp problems, but it is not necessarily the best approach. Damp proofing membranes are an alternative for the damp injection method for use on damp walls. They  act as a permanent remedial solution for problems such as penetrating damp and rising damp whether it be above the ground or in a damp cellar.  Staining and discolouration, peeling paintwork/finishes, blown plaster, salt and oil contamination etc are signs of damp walls and when untreated will continue to make the wall damp. Newton Damp Proofing Membranes have been used for many years as an alternative to the damp injection method, to permanently treat such problems.

When it comes to damp treatment membrane systems, the Damp Proofing Membrane Systems provided by John Newton and Co. are considered to be an effective alternative to most conventional damp proofing methods such as a chemical damp course (DPC), damp injection, cementitious  and bitumous paint on coatings and external water repellents.  This is because  membrane systems  generally require minimal preparation and are quick to install. An added advantage is that they are also reversible and can be ventilated.

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Damp Proof Membranes – An Introduction

Detail, Newton 503 Mesh fixed with Newlath Plugs

A damp internal surface can occur from moisture rising from below ground level through old porous brickwork. This may be due to the original damp proof course being damaged, breaking down through age, or displacement due to slight movement of the property over years. Also in my older buildings, the external ground level has over the years risen to above the original slate or felt damp course. Rising and penetrating dampness cause a number of detrimental affects to internal finishes such as staining and discolouration, peeling paintwork/finishes, blown plaster, salt and oil contamination etc. Damp proof membrane solutions would be the recommended solution to these problems.

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External Damp Proofing

Can Newton Membranes Be Used Externally?

Used externally Newton Membranes provide a damp proofing solution, a waterproof support for rendered finishes and effective protection to exposed buildings, porous and deteriorated surfaces against wind driven rain, salt laden air, wall damp and general penetrating dampness. By acting as an external wall coating, it can provide as a solution for damp walls internally.

Newton 503 Mesh Used Externally

Once in place the membrane forms an exterior wall coating, which protects the structure against any further penetrating dampness whilst the membrane stud profile maintains an air gap in to which residual moisture can evaporate and where ventilation can take place.

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Advice

Damp proofing by a damp specialist - the most reliable solution

Does DIY Damp Proofing Work?

We at John Newton & Company are often asked whether damp proofing can be done as a DIY damp proofing job. There is a wealth of information available and multiple diy damp proofing products are available online which promise and easy fix.

However, unless you are a damp expert diy damp proofing products can cause a minefield of problems. Where DIY damp proofing can seem like a low cost solution, it can result in a far more expensive strategy than planned, and often the damp problems can return. We are often contacted when a DIY damp proofing job goes wrong, with problems like the following:

• “I used DIY damp proofing cream in my damp basement but the water keeps coming in”
  DIY damp proofing is never advisable in cellars or basements. Damp proofing below ground spaces needs the advice of a specialist basement waterproofing contractor, as the job is not just about damp proofing walls, it is about ensuring that a waterproofing system is in place which will divert the water out of the property.

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Top Five Tips for Damp Problems!

Old Houses often have Damp Problems due to the lack of a Damp Proof Course

1.   Look around your house – is there a defect, crack or blockage through which water could be getting in?

This could be a sign of a penetrating damp problem. Penetrating damp problems are caused by defects within the building or plumbing system where water has been able to come into the property. A water mark on an internal wall would be a sign of penetrating damp, and can give a good clue as to where the leak is getting through, so check externally in the same area as the watermark for any obvious problems.

DIY solutions -

• check the pipes, drainage and gutters for any blockages including moss, leaves, dead birds etc. Remove the blockage and you might find that the damp problem goes away easily!
• If the guttering is old, maybe it needs to be replaced
• Ensure that any cracks in the walls or window frames are fixed
• Have a good look at the roof. Are there any loose slates? Problems with the roof are a common cause of penetrating damp problems

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Where Can I Find A Damp Proof

Specialist?

There are so many damp proofing solutions on the market: damp proof injection, damp proofing wall paint, chemical damp course…. it can be very confusing to know where to start! If you have decided to use damp proof membranes for your damp proofing problem, there are many companies which provide this solution – but how can you ascertain who are the best, most trusted companies to approach?

John Newton & Company has the answer!

The best way to find a damp proofing specialist is by contacting us on 0800 068 0122 and we can put you in touch with a damp proofing company in your area. We have a Specialist Damp Proofing Contractor scheme and our Newton Registered Installers are trained and monitored by John Newton and Company to ensure that they can recommend and install the perfect solution for your property. Only the best companies meet our high criteria so you can be sure of the best possible service.

Our customers have said:

“I was very happy with the specialist damp proofing contractor that John Newton & Company recommended. They were reasonably priced, delivered the solution on time and within budget. They were clearly very knowleadgable and experienced” - Mr D Wootton, Wiltshire

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