Rectifying ground level differences to prevent damp problems

Water ingress is a type of damp or flooding in your home, caused by outside water crossing a barrier such as the wall and entering your home.

Most commonly, we see damaged rainwater goods that are misdirecting water onto the walls, doors or windows, and elevated ground levels that bridge the damp proof course allowing ground water to soak into the bricks.

We highly recommend all building managers and homeowners keep an eye on the condition of their gutters and downpipes, keeping them clear from debris and fixing any breakages. But when it comes to elevated ground levels as the culprit for water ingress, it’s not always as easy as digging back the soil…

Rectifying elevated ground levels with Geo-Drain

As in the case at Waterloo Lodge, elevated ground levels caused lateral water ingress to around 150mm above the internal floor level.

The homeowner was alerted to the problem by the presence of black mould, hygroscopic salt deposits and dampness in the kitchen.

To rectify the problem, alongside internal remedial measures where we applied damp proofing membrane, we recommended and carried out the installation of Delta Geo-Drain Quattro. This is a unique drainage protection system and external waterproofing membrane that works with other remedial materials to form an effective drainage system, redirecting any ground or rainwater away from the external wall surfaces.

The result of the groundwork is really quite impressive, we think! The Geo-Drain has completely eliminated the cause of the water ingress, preventing any future damp problems, and not only is it completely undetectable to the eye, but the top dressing of shingle also makes for an attractive finish.

Preventing elevated ground levels

Modern homes are built with a damp proof course, but not all homes are modern, and some may have a dilapidated one. If the damp proof course (DPC) is missing or damaged, you may need to have a chemical DPC injected to replace it, however external bridging of the DPC will have the same effect on the walls as not having one at all.

Many period homes have seen extensive changes around their exterior walls; they may have had paths installed, flower beds created and even experienced natural changes in the ground level over the decades.

To prevent external bridging of your DPC and therefore prevent water ingress causing damp problems in your home, ensure the DPC is visible at around 150mm above the ground level. Instruct any gardeners or landscapers to be aware of the levels (although we’re sure they will already be knowledgeable of this) and remove any excess height as soon as possible.

It may take a few days to dry out the walls, and if hygroscopic salts are present indoors, they will also need to be removed to stop them from attracting more moisture from the atmosphere.

If you need advice, or a damp specialist’s assistance, please get in touch at the first sign of concern.