| November 2009 has been officially been named the | | | | Many properties that have suffered from flood |
| wettest month ever in the UK. Day after day sees | | | | damage previously are now installing damp proofing |
| torrential downpours on a scale which has not only | | | | products. However, in below ground areas like |
| fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood | | | | basements or cellars, a full waterproofing membrane |
| defences and caused flood damage to thousands and | | | | system would be recommended to combat the risk of |
| thousands of homes and offices throughout the | | | | flooding. Damp proofing products would typically include |
| country. The reason for this is uncertain, though some | | | | damp proofing membranes with dimples. The |
| experts believe it is a direct result of global warming. | | | | membrane is fixed to the structure internally and the air |
| The harsh reality is that we are living with the real risk | | | | gap provided by the dimples allows for ventilation. The |
| of flood damage to properties. | | | | dimples are very important and comprise the 'air gap |
| Implementing Flood Defence Strategies | | | | technology' - i.e. the air space allows dampness to dry |
| Flood defence strategies are being called on to protect | | | | out behind the wall. This simple approach means that if |
| vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK. A | | | | your property has been flood damaged before then |
| number of different damp proofing products and | | | | the saturated walls can dry out behind the membrane |
| systems are being utilised by local councils to protect | | | | and allow for a permanent finish to be applied |
| structures from flood damage. In November the towns | | | | (plasterboard or render) usually the same day, getting |
| which have implemented flood defences have | | | | people back into their homes quicker. This is a good |
| benefited by giving emergency services time to | | | | alternative to drying out the property with blow heaters |
| evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving. | | | | and putting dehumidifiers in every room because flood |
| Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have | | | | damaged walls will be drying out over a period of |
| overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some | | | | years not weeks. |
| properties have been able to weather the effects of | | | | Often if you try and paint or replaster any |
| flood - by using damp proofing products as flood | | | | contaminates in the damp walls then salts will come |
| defence measures for their properties. Damp proofing | | | | through and you will have a recurring and unsightly |
| products and full waterproofing membrane systems | | | | problem. The internal membrane installation approach |
| can help mitigate the effects of flooding in most types | | | | should also take into consideration the ability to remove |
| of buildings, from historic to new-build. | | | | any water that is to come near the structure. Usually |
| Damp proofing products and waterproofing systems | | | | this would involve placing a basedrain gutter internally |
| can provide permanent protection from flood damage | | | | into the wall to floor junction to channel the water to a |
| A number of methods are available including: | | | | sump and pump. Full waterproofing membrane |
| - installing flood gates across the door and windows | | | | systems are available which deal with water |
| - the application of damp proofing membranes to the | | | | penetrating the property and work by pumping the |
| internal walls | | | | water out. These would be essential for below ground |
| - external sump pump stations to capture the water | | | | application, for example. a damp cellar or damp |
| prior to coming against the property (especially in | | | | basement. |
| below ground properties) | | | | Penetrating damp can cause permanent problems, but |
| - damp injection method | | | | damp proofing products act as the permanent solution |
| - diy damp solutions | | | | for damp walls, as well as other problems like |
| - damp tanking strategies | | | | condensation damp, rising damp and associated side |
| - dpc damp solutions | | | | effects such as damp plaster. |
| Full Waterproofing Systems Are Essential | | | | |