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Doctor Damp Pty Ltd

Structural Dampness Solutions from Doctor Damp

structural dampness solutions

Structural dampness is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, either the result of intrusion from outside or condensation from within the structure.

A high proportion of damp problems in buildings are caused by:

Condensation
Rain penetration
Rising damp

Here are some common reasons why Australian buildings are suffering:

New buildings:

In the interests of greater energy efficiency, Australian buildings are increasingly being sealed against the intrusion of unwanted hot and cold air. This has the unintended effect of reducing air quality that can lead, through the build-up of moisture, to the growth and propagation of harmful mould and mildew, dust mites and bacterial blooms.

Old buildings:

Older Australian buildings, built to inferior building codes or suffering from natural age related conditions like rot and decay, have a hard time preventing the penetration of water through roofs, walls, windows and floors. Without adequate ventilation to remove the moisture, mould and mildew can easily take root degrading the health and comfort levels.

Ventilation practices:

Exhaust fans in bathrooms, clothes dryers in laundries and rangehoods in kitchen are used to remove unwanted moisture from the air. However, these devices rarely duct moist air outside where it can do no harm. Instead they either circulate the moisture, adding to it with each pass, or pump it into roof spaces where, cooler conditions prevailing, it condenses back into water with no way to escape. If moisture is not vented outside, it will accumulate resulting in rot, moulds, mildew and pest infestation which in turn can lead to degraded health outcomes and structural damage to building infrastructure that is expensive to repair.

Failure to repair or control for structural damp can result in serious property damage, problem odours, mould and mildew, pest infestation, detrimental health impacts including serious sicknesses and uncomfortable living and work environments.

building dampness solutions

TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR STRUCTUAL DAMPNESS

Improved ventilation can play a crucial role in eliminating or ameliorating the effects of structural dampness, especially when caused by condensation and rising damp.

Condensation occurs when moist warm air inside a building comes into contact with a cold surface. Once condensation forms mould and mildew can rapidly take hold and grow. Ventilation can reduce the moisture content of air therefore reducing the likelihood of condensation occurring. Without condensation, mould and mildew find it difficult to grow and spread.

Rising damp occurs when moisture travels from the ground up through building materials to evaporate inside internal spaces. The moisture carries with it salts, nitrates and chlorides. Once the water evaporates, these ground salts are deposited within brickwork, masonry and plaster causing structural damage that is difficult to remediate. By properly ventilating underfloor spaces, the moisture level of the ground and the subfloor air is reduced.

Drier air allows some of the moisture travelling through building foundation materials to evaporate before reaching living and work spaces where is can result in unsightly damage, mould and mildew and unpleasant musty odours.

Doctor Damp consultants are trained know how to recognise the presence of structural dampness and its destructive effects. They will recommend products and services that are effective and have been proven to work reliably on eradicating the key causes of structural dampness.

Failure to address structural dampness can result in the growth and propagation of harmful mould and mildew, problem odours, pest infestation, degraded health and compromised human comfort. With good advice implemented in a punctual manner, structural dampness need no longer be an issue.

You don't have to live with problem damp and its consequences. Take action now and buy online or contact us to discuss your options.



Doctor Damp Pty Ltd Profile

1300 557 687

Suite 1A, Level 2, 802 Pacific Highway, Gordon, NSW, 2082.

Doctor Damp Pty Ltd Profile

1300 557 687

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