Treat rising damp in heritage and older buildings
Understand what causes rising damp and treatment available to protect your commercial property and its occupants
Why does rising damp occur?
Melbourne and Victoria are home to thousands of heritage and older buildings, many constructed before modern damp proofing standards were established. Rising damp is a persistent problem and can occur for a number of reasons.
Failed or absent damp proof course (DPC)
Many older or heritage buildings lack adequate damp proof courses, or existing barriers have deteriorated over time. Without this critical moisture barrier, groundwater is absorbed through stone, mortar, and brick, like a sponge.
Poor external drainage
Inadequate site drainage, blocked stormwater systems, water leaks or poor grading can cause water to pool around building foundations, increasing hydrostatic pressure and moisture penetration.
Structural defects
Cracks in foundations, damaged external walls, or compromised below-ground waterproofing allow moisture to enter the building structure and travel upward through capillary action.
Melbourne’s reactive clay soils
Melbourne's soil is predominantly clay-rich and prone to expansion and contraction with moisture changes. These expansive clay soils absorb and retain moisture, creating constantly damp conditions around building foundations.
Why you should care
Untreated rising damp in Melbourne or Victorian properties causes serious structural, legal, health, and financial risks. Immediate professional rising damp treatment is required.
Legal duty of care
Landlords, owners, property and facility managers in Victoria have a legal duty of care to tenants to ensure properties are structurally maintained, including addressing issues like rising damp and mould.
Health and safety liability Melbourne
Victorian property managers who neglect rising damp inspection and removal can face personal injury claims from tenants who develop respiratory problems, allergies, or other health issues caused by mould growth and poor indoor air quality.
Financial and legal consequences
Visible rising damp impacts the building's marketability, reduces property value, and creates difficulty attracting quality commercial and residential tenants. If not addressed, Victorian property managers can face fines and insurance claim rejections.
Structural damage and expensive repairs
Melbourne's clay soils and variable weather patterns can exacerbate rising damp, leading to deterioration of building foundations, walls, and floors. This becomes exponentially more expensive to fix if left untreated.
Spot the warning signs
Identifying rising damp early is essential for preventing damage and avoiding costly repairs. Here are key indicators that your building may have rising damp issues. Rising damp in Melbourne buildings typically affects ground floor external and internal walls up to approximately 1.5 metres in height. Foundation areas, basement walls, and ground-level rooms can experience rising damp.
Water stains and tide marks: Horizontal staining on internal walls, typically 600mm to 1m from floor level. These stains often appear yellowish-brown and may have a distinct tide mark showing the moisture's highest point.
Efflorescence (white salt deposits): White, chalky deposits or crystalline formations appearing on internal walls. This occurs when moisture carries minerals through masonry and evaporates, leaving salt residue behind.
Peeling paint and wallpaper: Paint blistering, flaking, peeling wallpaper, or deteriorating wall coverings near floor level. Moisture causes adhesives to fail and surfaces to bubble or separate from the wall.
Musty odors and mold growth: Damp smells, visible mold patches, or black spots appearing on walls, skirting boards, or carpeting. These indicate ongoing moisture problems and poor ventilation.
Additional signs to watch for: Warped timber flooring, rust stains on metal fixtures, crumbling mortar joints, or reports of allergic reactions from building occupants.
Early detection of these signs allows for preventive repairs before structural damage occurs.
The Schaefer solution
Trust Schaefer Waterproofing to expertly diagnose and treat rising damp in your commercial property. We ensure full compliance with the NCC and Australian building standards while minimizing tenant disruption through efficient project management. Protect your property with proven damp-proofing materials and professional installation.
1.
Assessment and diagnosis
Your building is thoroughly assessed for rising damp damage and moisture penetration patterns. We identify the root causes and provide a comprehensive solution in line with the National Construction Code (NCC) and best practice for rising damp treatment.
2.
Damp-proofing with cream injection
We treat rising damp using advanced Damp Proof Course (DPC) cream injection. This proven method involves injecting a water-repellent cream into the base of affected walls, forming a long-lasting barrier that stops moisture from rising.
3.
Surface preparation
Affected areas are carefully prepared, including removal of damaged plaster, cleaning of salt deposits, and treatment of structural defects. Surfaces are properly prepared to ensure maximum damp-proofing system effectiveness.
4.
Damp proof course installation
Holes are drilled horizontally into mortar and damp proof course (DPC) cream is injected. The cream slowly releases silane/siloxane and forms an impermeable barrier. We provide photographic evidence of application and the installation process for full transparency.
5.
Drainage remediation
We address external drainage issues and ensure proper water management around building foundations to prevent future moisture problems.
6.
Restoration and finishings
Best practice requires allowing the treated wall to dry completely, which can take several months depending on the severity of the rising damp and wall thickness. Damaged masonry, plaster, and finishes are replaced with new materials to maintain the building's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
7.
Project completion
We handle all trades and finishes, managing the entire project from start to completion so you don't have to coordinate multiple suppliers. We return in 6-12 months to ensure effectiveness.
Concerned about rising damp? Let’s talk
Don’t wait for minor moisture issues to turn into costly structural damage, legal liability, and health hazards. Protect your property’s safety, value, and functionality with Schaefer
Waterproofing. Book a call for a chat with our team.
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