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6<meta name="description" content="As well as sometimes causing timber problems, houses can suffer from damp. Dampness may be caused by Rising Damp, Penetrating Damp and Condensation. We offer solutions for damp, water ingress, condensation and other damp problems.">
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68<td>
69<h1>Dampness and Condensation</h1>
70<p>As well as sometimes causing timber problems, houses can suffer from damp. Dampness may be caused, amongst other things, by Rising Damp,
71Penetrating Damp and Condensation.</p>
72
73<p>Signs that you may have a problem can include decorative damage, blistering plasterwork or just a plain damp patch.</p>
74</td>
75<td>
76<p><img src="images/damp.gif" alt="Signs of damp problems" width="330" height="238"></a></p>
77</td>
78</tr>
79</table>
80
81<div class="line"></div>
82
83
84<table class="wood">
85<tr><td width="150"><a name="risingdamp" id="risingdamp"></a><h2>RISING DAMP</h2></td>
86
87<td><div class="right_marg_40">
88
89<p>One of the more common problems is Rising Damp. It tends to affect houses built 60 or more years ago before the sorts of barr

89iers we
90have today to prevent water rising up the walls were in use. Such houses, probably built directly onto the ground may at best have only 
91a layer of slate to keep out the wet. </p>
92
93<p>An additional problem is that rising water contains minerals which crystallise as salts. </p>
94<p>Over a long period these salts form visible and invisible deposits, which attracts water in
95humid conditions.</p> <p>Plasterwork becomes contaminated and will cause damage to decoration and can put timbers at risk.</p>
96
97<p>Remedial plaster systems are used to prevent salts damaging internal decoration. </p>
98</div></td>
99
100<td>
101<p><img src="images/risingdamp.gif" alt="Rising Damp" width="330" height="255" align="right"></p>
102</td>
103</tr> </table>
104
105<table class="wood">
106<tr><td width="150"></td>
107
108<td><div class="right_marg_40">
109<h3>Treatment</h3>
110
111<p>A chemical Damp Proof Course (DPC) is injected into the walls. The affected walls are drilled at the correct height and a monitored quantity 
112of chemical Damp Proof Course fluid is injected into the wall, this suppresses the rising water. </p>
113
114<p>Vertical Damp Proof courses can also be used to prevent damp moving sideways. If salt deposits are a problem, these may need additional 
115treatment with special rendering and plasterwork.</p>
116
117<h3>Types of Damp Proof Course</h3>
118
119<p>Active Services are able to install electrical and mortar Damp Proof Courses where either the construction of the wall requires or to keep the 
120property chemical free.</p>
121</div></td>
122<td>
123<br><p><img src="images/treatment.jpg" alt="Treatment of Rising Damp" width="200" height="191" align="right"></p>
124</td>
125</tr>
126</table>
127
128<div class="line"></div>
129
130
131<table class="wood">
132<tr><td width="150"><a name="penetrating" id="penetrating"></a><h2>PENETRATING DAMP</h2></td>
133
134<td>
135
136<p>Penetrating Damp describes the action of water entering and moving through a wall. This generally happens when rainwater goods, such as gutters 
137and down pipes are defective, where pointing, external rendering and chimneys are faulty or where roof slates have become dislodged or cracked. </p>
138
139<p>This type of dampness needs very careful investigation, as the cause of the problem is not always obvious. Water can move a considerable distance
140horizontally before appearing on the surface.    </p>
141
142<h3>Treatment </h3>
143
144<p>Problems caused by leaking and blocked gutters and down pipes are easily remedied.  </p>
145
146<p>Internal damage in an older house may require re-plastering as the original plaster is often contaminated. Where this is so, humid weather is
147sufficient to cause decorative damage. After the leak is stopped, drying can take a considerable time.</p>
148	 
149</td>
150</tr>
151</table>
152
153<div class="line"></div>
154
155
156<table class="wood">
157<tr><td width="150"><a name="floors" id="floors"></a><h2>DAMP FLOORS</h2></td>
158
159<td><p>Some floors are laid without a Damp Proof Membrane. Active Services are able to provided a dry floor using an Epoxy surface membrane 
160without either changing the level more than 2 mm or causing disruption by laying a new floor.</p>
161
162</td>
163</tr>
164</table>
165
166<div class="line"></div>
167
168
169
170<table class="wood">
171<tr><td width="150"><a name="underground" id="underground"></a><h2>UNDERGROUND WATER DAMAGE </h2></td>
172
173<td><p>In Devon and Cornwall, counties well known for their annual rainfall, houses are often built into hillsides and partially below ground. 
174Inevitably because of this water can get into a house through the underground sections of the walls. </p>
175
176<p>The resulting damage can ruin decoration and give rise to flooded basements and cellars.</p>
177<h3>Treatment</h3>
178
179<p>To prevent subterranean damage, a system known as 'tanking' or more correctly 'structural waterproofing' 

179can be employed.
180As this name implies, this is a term used for creating a water tank to hold this water out at the affected section of the property.</p>
181
182</td>
183</tr>
184</table>
185<table class="wood">
186<tr><td width="150"></td>
187
188<td><div class="right_marg_40">
189
190<p>There are two main methods of waterproofing. The first consists of applying a waterproof coating within the walls to hold the water out.
191The second requires the creation of a barrier inside the walls which not only keeps the water out but also drains it off.</p>
192<p>These systems can bring a dank cellar fully into the house as a warm, dry space. Active Services can advise you on which method to use for your space
193and to fit the use for your new area..</p>
194</div></td>
195<td><img src="images/Tanking.gif" alt="Tanking or Structural Waterproofing" width="330" height="155" align="right"></td>
196</tr>
197</table>
198<div class="line"></div>
199
200
201
202
203
204 <table class="wood">
205<tr><td width="150"><a name="condensation" id="condensation"></a><h2>CONDENSATION </h2></td>
206<td><div class="right_marg_40">
207
208<p>There is always water vapour in the air. The amount of it that can be carried in the air depends upon the room temperature. As temperatures fall, 
209often at night, the air will not support the moisture and it is deposited on the cold surfaces such as windows and exterior walls. </p>
210
211<p>Modern lifestyles have increased problems caused by condensation; we use showers, tumble driers and washing machines more than our forebears.
212Fewer houses have large open fires which can suck up the moist air, and double glazing prevents water vapour from escaping. </p>
213
214<p>Regular soaking through condensation can cause considerable and costly decorative damage and risk particularly to expensive decoration and clothes.
215There is also evidence that condensation increases the risk of Asthma and other chest problems.</p>
216</div></td>
217<td><p><img src="images/Condensation.jpg" alt="Condensation" width="330" height="236" align="right"></p>
218</td>
219</tr>
220</table>
221<table class="wood">
222<tr><td width="150"></td>
223<td><div class="right_marg_40"><img src="images/ventilation.gif" alt="Positive Pressure Ventilation" width="330" height="410""></div> </td>
224<td><br>
225<h3>Treatment </h3>
226
227<p>Active Services fit 'Positive Pressure' ventilation. This unit fits into the roof space giving a continual very gentle flow of dry air from the 
228loft into the house. This unit is adjustable for any size of house.  </p>
229
230<p>As the flow of air is introduced to the ceiling it mixes this warm layer of air back into the house.</p> <p>Only very small amounts of electricity
231are used to run the unit - less than a low powered light. These units have a three month money back warranty that condensation will be controlled.</p>
232
233<p>For Flats without a loft space available a similar unit can be mou

233nted on the wall. </p>
234
235<p>The advantage with all these units is they virtually need no further attention and provide continuous use for many years.</p>
236</td>
237</tr>
238</table>
239<div class="line"></div>
240
241
242
243<table class="wood">
244
245
246<td><div class="right_marg_40"><h2>DAMPNESS CAN BE A HIDDEN ASSET!</h2>
247<p>We hope that this will give you a pleasant surprise! From all that we have said above, you will realise that roofs and 
248basements can be a major source of trouble. However, corrective action resulting in a bone dry roof void and a dry cellar 
249may allow you to create a further living accommodation in these areas. It is certain that you must cure the damp problem. 
250It is almost equally certain that at a little extra cost you can add space to your house.</p>
251</div></td>
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279 Office 303 Camborne House <br>
28017 Courtenay Park <br>
281Newton Abbot <br>
282Devon TQ12 2HD</p>
283 <p>Tel: 01822 841005 or 01752 256717</p>
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289 <td> <a href="wood.htm"><h2>PROBLEMS WITH WOOD</h2></a>
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291   <li><a href="wood.htm#woodworm">Woodworm</a></li>
292   <li><a href="wood.htm#conservation">Conservation</a></li>
293   <li><a href="wood.htm#fungal">Fungal Decay</a></li>
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295   <li><a href="wood.htm#wetrot">Wet Rot</a></li>
296   </ul>
297    
298
299   
300   </td>
301
302
303    <td><a href="damp.htm"><h2>DAMP AND WATER DAMAGE</h2></a>
304   <ul>
305   <li><a href="damp.htm#risingdamp">Rising Damp</a></li>
306   <li><a href="damp.htm#penetrating">Penetrating Damp</a></li>
307   <li><a href="damp.htm#floors">Damp Floors</a></li>
308   <li><a href="damp.htm#underground">Underground Water Damage</a></li>
309   <li><a href="damp.htm#condensation">Condensation</a></li>
310   </ul>
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