Damp-proofing Products

Safeguard's range of damp-proofing products are designed to deal with dampness entering buildings from the ground. Dampness can enter the building from the ground in two ways:

1. By wicking up through a wall or solid floor (rising damp).
2. Where a wall has been built against the ground (e.g. when building into a hillside) without adequate damp-proofing (lateral damp)

Often buildings are constructed without effective damp-proofing, due to faulty design or construction. This allows moisture to enter the building, often resulting in decorative spoiling (such as paint blisters or flaking) and an unpleasant "musty" smell.

New buildings are designed to be constructed with dpc sheeting fitted under the floor slab and protruding through the brickwork. Failures can occur when either dpc sheeting is fitted only in the brickwork and not under the slab or when the dpc sheeting is faulty or has been damaged.

A further problem is that of Penetrating Damp where rain penetrates walls through faulty mortar or porous brickwork – a common problem in the Cape where strong, driving winds bring excessive rains.

Example of severe rising damp