Damp Specialist

John Newton & Company – The Damp Specialist

John Newton & Company is the longest established independent specialist in damp proofing in the UK. Our products are specified by Architects, Surveyors and Structural Engineers for use across the construction spectrum from new developments to historic buildings including conversions, renovations and refurbishments. Our complete range of high quality membranes for use on damp walls act as a permanent damp treatment for problems such as penetrating damp and rising damp. Damp mould and damp rot are signs that wall damp is a problem. Newton damp proofing membranes have been used for many years to rectify such problems. In 1937, we were the first to introduce a ventilated damp proof membrane known as “Newtonite“. Over 5 million metres of this pitch impregnated fibre material was sold throughout the UK. In 1985 the original Newtonite ventilated membrane was greatly improved with the introduction of “Newlath“, a polypropylene dimple sheeting with a mesh thermally welded to the inner surface to act as a key for plasters and renders. Newtonite has now been developed and relaunched as a smaller roll, aimed at those jobs where only as small amount of membrane is required. It is light but robust making it very easily transportable, quick and easy to install by competent DIY homeowners and builders.

•  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 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.
• External walls exposed to driving rain may also allow a slow ingress of moisture to the internal surface. Rising damp can also be a problem.
• Walls of old buildings converted to domestic or office use may have been contaminated by salts, petroleum products, acids or lime, which does not show itself until the converted property is heated. This action may draw out the contamination which again will result in staining and discolouration.

There are many solutions on the market such as the damp injection approach, but we at John Newton & Company are of the firm opinion that only a waterproof membrane placed between the new surface and the old contaminated surface will result in a permanent solution.