Sustainably dry and protect masonry
Effectively protect your property against rising damp. therlo connects you with experts in professional damp proofing, ensuring dry walls and a healthy living environment.
Protect the building fabric
Preserve Value Increase
Protect health
What is a damp proof course and when is it necessary?
Damp Spots on Walls
Peeling plaster or paint
Salt Efflorescence (Nitrate)
Musty, earthy smell
Rising Damp: The Invisible Threat to Your Masonry
Rising damp, also known as capillary rising moisture, is a serious issue that occurs when a horizontal barrier in the masonry is missing, defective, or no longer functioning. Due to the capillary action of the building material, the masonry absorbs moisture from the ground like a sponge. This process not only damages the building fabric through frost damage and the destruction of plaster due to salt crystallisation but also leads to an unhealthy indoor climate. The increased humidity is the ideal breeding ground for mould, which can trigger allergies and respiratory diseases. Additionally, damp masonry significantly worsens thermal insulation, leading to noticeably higher heating costs. Therefore, an intact moisture barrier is essential for maintaining the value of your property and the health of the occupants.
Our services provided
Professional solutions for every moisture problem
Damage Analysis
Precise root cause analysis as the basis of every successful renovation.
Choice of Procedure
Selecting the optimal method for your masonry.
Injection Technology
We provide experts in minimally invasive injection procedures using high-quality materials to stop moisture precisely where it originates. This preserves the building structure and ensures a permanent, invisible barrier against capillary rising damp in the masonry. Safe, efficient, and proven.
Mechanical Lock
Recruitment of specialists for wall saw and sheet metal processes.
Vertical barrier
Professional exterior and interior sealing for dry cellars.
Restoration plaster systems
Ensuring the success of renovations and protection against salt damage.
Building drying
Professional technical drying as a complementary measure.
Evaluation of success
Subsequent measurements to verify and document the success of the drying process.
Long-term warranty
Referral of specialist companies that offer warranties.
From analysis to warranty – we connect you with the right expert.
Damp in the masonry?
Act now!
Overview of methods for subsequent moisture barriers
For retrofitting against rising damp, various methods have been established that are applied depending on the type of masonry, the degree of moisture penetration, and the structural conditions. The most common methods are chemical processes, such as the injection method, and mechanical procedures. In the injection method, a sealing agent (e.g., silane cream, acrylate gel, or paraffin) is introduced into the masonry through drilled holes, forming a waterproof layer there. Mechanical procedures, like the wall saw method or inserting stainless steel sheets, physically cut through the masonry to create a permanent barrier. Choosing the right method requires a professional analysis by a specialist company to ensure a long-term effective and material-friendly solution.
The Injection Process: Modern Technology for Dry Walls
The injection method is now one of the most commonly used techniques for creating a subsequent horizontal barrier. Its major advantage lies in its minimally invasive application, which barely affects the structural integrity of the building. The process begins with the creation of a precise grid of boreholes along the affected wall. Subsequently, a special injection material, often a high-quality silane or siloxane-based cream, is injected into the boreholes either pressure-free or under low pressure. The material spreads capillarily in the pore structure of the building material, reacts with the existing moisture, and forms a permanent, hydrophobic (water-repellent) zone. This new barrier effectively prevents capillary water transport and sustainably dries the masonry.
Install a moisture barrier yourself or hire a professional?
The idea of installing a damp-proof course on your own is tempting for skilled DIY enthusiasts. However, this entails significant risks. An incorrect analysis of the cause, the wrong choice of injection material, or improper execution can not only leave the issue unresolved but even worsen it and lead to costly consequential damage. A certified professional company, like the experts mediated by therlo, offers crucial advantages: an accurate diagnosis of damage using the latest measurement technology, selection of the optimal method and material, professional execution according to current standards, and not least, a warranty on the work carried out. Investing in professional expertise ensures successful remediation and protects the long-term value of your property.
Costs of a Retrospective Horizontal Barrier: An Investment Worth Making
The costs of installing a subsequent damp-proof course vary and depend on several factors. Key considerations include the thickness of the masonry, the degree of dampness, the chosen method, and the total length of the walls to be treated. Additional costs may arise for preparatory work, such as removing old plaster, and for supplementary measures, like applying a renovation plaster after drying. Although the initial investment can be significant, it must be weighed against the potential consequential costs: depreciation of the property, consistently high heating costs, and the far more expensive repair of severe structural damage. A professional damp-proofing solution is therefore not an expense, but rather a value-enhancing investment in the future and health of your building.
Professional
Mould Removal
Quick
Water damage management
Effective
Odour elimination
The Role of Restoration Plaster after Wall Drying
The installation of a damp proof course stops the supply of moisture, yet the salts stored in the masonry remain an issue. These salts are hygroscopic, meaning they attract moisture from the air and can lead to new moisture damage and efflorescence on the surface even after drying out. This is where special restoration plaster systems come into play. A restoration plaster is highly porous and breathable. It allows the residual moisture in the masonry to escape as water vapour, while the harmful salts are stored and crystallised in the large pores of the plaster without damaging the surface. Thus, it forms the essential final step of a professional masonry drying process, ensuring a permanently dry and aesthetically pleasing result.
Vertical barrier: The protective shield for walls in contact with the ground
While the horizontal barrier prevents rising damp from the foundation area, the vertical barrier protects basement walls and other earth-contacting components from moisture penetrating laterally from the surrounding soil. A missing or damaged external seal is a common cause of damp basements. Adding a vertical barrier retrospectively is labor-intensive, as the soil on the outside of the wall must be removed. Subsequently, the wall surface is cleaned and coated with a multi-layer seal, for example, made of thick bitumen coating (KMB) or mineral sealing slurries. An additional insulation layer and a protective layer (e.g. dimpled membrane) complete the structure. In cases where an external seal is not possible, an internal seal can be alternatively implemented as a negative seal.
Diagnosis and Analysis: The First Step to a Dry Wall
Every successful renovation begins with a precise and comprehensive damage analysis. It is not enough just to see damp spots; the exact cause of the dampness must be determined. Is it rising damp, laterally penetrating water, a leak in a pipe, or condensation due to poor ventilation behaviour? Professional building experts use a range of diagnostic tools for this purpose, such as capacitive moisture meters, resistance measurements, infrared cameras to detect thermal bridges, and in some cases even laboratory analyses of building material samples to determine salt and moisture content. Only on the basis of this thorough analysis can a tailored and therefore economical remediation concept be developed that tackles the problem at its root.
How can I tell if a damp proof course is really necessary?
The market for building protection is complex and often confusing for laypeople. therlo serves as your independent and competent partner, guiding you safely through the entire process. We understand the challenges you face as a property owner. Instead of leaving you on your own, we analyse your specific needs and connect you with a vetted and qualified specialist from our network who specialises in your problem. We ensure that you receive transparent advice, a fair offer, and execution to the highest quality standards. With therlo, you save time, avoid costly mistakes, and gain the assurance of receiving the best possible solution for the sustainable protection of your property.
