Flooding Devestates UK - How Damp Proofing Products Can Help
November 2009 - one of the wettest months ever in the UK and flooding causes damage to thousands of properties
The last few weeks have seen torrential downpours on an unprecedented scale. Flooding has not only fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood defences and caused flood damage to thousands of homes and offices throughout the country. Experts believe that such conditions are a direct result of global warming. Whatever the reason, we are living with the real risk of flood damage to properties.
Implementing Flood Defence Strategies
Flood defence strategies are being called on to protect vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK. Local councils are using various damp proofing products and systems to protect structures from flood damage. In November, when the flooding was at its worst, the towns which implemented flood defences have benefited by giving emergency services time to evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving.
Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some properties have been able to weather the effects of flood by using damp proofing products as flood defence measures for their properties. Damp proofing products and (for below ground areas) full waterproofing membrane systems can help enormously against the effects of flooding in most types of buildings, from historic and conservation to new-build.
A number of flood mitigation techniques are being utilised across the country, including:
* Flood gates across the door and windows
* Tailor made caps for air bricks
* External sump pump stations to capture the water prior to coming against the property
* Damp proofing membranes applied to the walls to allow moisture to evaporate thus allowing for drying out
* Damp injection
* DIY damp solutions
* Damp tanking
* DPC damp proof course solutions
These techniques wouldn't however be able to hold back severe flooding.
Full Waterproofing Systems Are Sometimes The Only Reliable Solution
A lot of properties that have suffered from flood damage in the past are now installing damp proofing products to above ground areas and basement waterproofing systems to combat the risk of flooding. Recommended damp proofing products would include a dimpled damp proofing membranes. This would be fixed to the internal walls - or in certain circumstances a damp proofing specialist would recommend installing to external walls. The air gap provided by the dimples allows for ventilation. This simple approach means that if your property has been damaged by flooding before then the saturated walls can dry out behind the membrane and allow for a permanent finish to be applied, usually plasterboard or render, often the same day, getting people back into their homes quicker. This is a good alternative to blasting the property with blow heaters and putting dehumidifiers in every room because flood damaged walls will need to be given time to dry out - a period of years not weeks. Inevitably if you try and paint or replaster any contaminates in the damp walls will come through and you will have a recurring and annoying problem.
What About Where Running Water Is A Problem?
The internal membrane installation approach should also take into consideration the ability to remove any water that is to come near the structure. Usually this would involve placing a basedrain gutter internally into the wall to floor junction to channel the water to a sump and pump. Full waterproofing membrane systems are available which deal with water penetrating the property and work by pumping the water out. These would be essential components when a below ground application is required, for example a damp cellar or damp basement.
Penetrating damp can cause permanent problems, but damp proofing products act as the permanent solution for damp walls, as well as treating other problems like condensation damp, rising damp and associated side effects such as damp plaster.
Damp proofing products can be installed quickly and efficiently, and offer a cost effective and permanent solution
The last few weeks have seen torrential downpours on an unprecedented scale. Flooding has not only fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood defences and caused flood damage to thousands of homes and offices throughout the country. Experts believe that such conditions are a direct result of global warming. Whatever the reason, we are living with the real risk of flood damage to properties.
Implementing Flood Defence Strategies
Flood defence strategies are being called on to protect vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK. Local councils are using various damp proofing products and systems to protect structures from flood damage. In November, when the flooding was at its worst, the towns which implemented flood defences have benefited by giving emergency services time to evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving.
Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some properties have been able to weather the effects of flood by using damp proofing products as flood defence measures for their properties. Damp proofing products and (for below ground areas) full waterproofing membrane systems can help enormously against the effects of flooding in most types of buildings, from historic and conservation to new-build.
A number of flood mitigation techniques are being utilised across the country, including:
* Flood gates across the door and windows
* Tailor made caps for air bricks
* External sump pump stations to capture the water prior to coming against the property
* Damp proofing membranes applied to the walls to allow moisture to evaporate thus allowing for drying out
* Damp injection
* DIY damp solutions
* Damp tanking
* DPC damp proof course solutions
These techniques wouldn't however be able to hold back severe flooding.
Full Waterproofing Systems Are Sometimes The Only Reliable Solution
A lot of properties that have suffered from flood damage in the past are now installing damp proofing products to above ground areas and basement waterproofing systems to combat the risk of flooding. Recommended damp proofing products would include a dimpled damp proofing membranes. This would be fixed to the internal walls - or in certain circumstances a damp proofing specialist would recommend installing to external walls. The air gap provided by the dimples allows for ventilation. This simple approach means that if your property has been damaged by flooding before then the saturated walls can dry out behind the membrane and allow for a permanent finish to be applied, usually plasterboard or render, often the same day, getting people back into their homes quicker. This is a good alternative to blasting the property with blow heaters and putting dehumidifiers in every room because flood damaged walls will need to be given time to dry out - a period of years not weeks. Inevitably if you try and paint or replaster any contaminates in the damp walls will come through and you will have a recurring and annoying problem.
What About Where Running Water Is A Problem?
The internal membrane installation approach should also take into consideration the ability to remove any water that is to come near the structure. Usually this would involve placing a basedrain gutter internally into the wall to floor junction to channel the water to a sump and pump. Full waterproofing membrane systems are available which deal with water penetrating the property and work by pumping the water out. These would be essential components when a below ground application is required, for example a damp cellar or damp basement.
Penetrating damp can cause permanent problems, but damp proofing products act as the permanent solution for damp walls, as well as treating other problems like condensation damp, rising damp and associated side effects such as damp plaster.
Damp proofing products can be installed quickly and efficiently, and offer a cost effective and permanent solution
