A Damp Proof Course (DPC) is designed to form a continuous barrier to prevent capillary held moisture from the ground passing into the walls of the structure in the form of rising damp.

A Damp Proof Course is required to be present in all New Build Properties by Building Control/Regulations. Existing buildings benefiting from a DPC can be prone to failure, most commonly due to an outdated design or materials becoming ineffective over long periods of time.

Modern DPC’s use far more robust materials than those used in previous/historical designs, this does not however make the latest materials immune to failure if poorly designed and/or installed.

The introduction of a remedial damp proof course into walls will create a horizontal barrier, that will control the future capillary movement of water from the ground into the walls above the DPC.

Today there are three main groups of materials used for the formation of a DPC; these are flexible, semi rigid and rigid. Modern flexible courses may also incorporate a ground gas protection layer.

Protectahome are often required to provide remedial solutions for both new and existing buildings constructed without a continuous DPC, or where it has been installed at the wrong level or failed.With so many types of remedial damp proof course available, the selection of the correct type of system to use is just as important as ensuring the correct diagnosis of the damp problem being experienced.

With offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Bromsgrove, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Leamington Spa, Llanelli, London, Newport, Plymouth, Stockport you will never be too far away from a Protectahome Surveyor. To arrange for a survey and diagnosis, contact us on 0800 055 6966 or email us on web@protectahome.co.uk for more information.