What is a damp-proof course?
A damp proof course (DPC) is a protective layer near the bottom of the walls of a building that prevents risingdamp.
In a property without a DPC, water canrise up from the ground through capillary action and through porous elements in your brickwork. If it creepsthrough the walls, it can cause structural problems and potentially lead to mould forming inside yourhome.
What is a damp-proof course made from?
Pre-1900 properties were traditionally built with slate DPCs. More recent houses have plastic. DPCs can be made out of anumber of materials. Although building regulations require the inclusion of a damp proof course in any new building, they do not specify one single material. It may be built from ‘bituminous material, polyethylene,engineeringbricksor slates incementmortaror any other material that will prevent the passage of moisture.’
What does a damp-proof course look like?
Unless it has been rendered over, you will normally see it as a little black line between 6 inches and 2 feet from the ground, running all the way around the external walls.
Why is it important to know where your damp-proof course is?
If you’re considering external building work, it will be useful to know where your DPC is located. It is important not to damage orbridge the DPC as this will create a path for moisture. If you have problems with mould ordamage to a property’s structural integrity, we would advise you to hire a professional to carry out an assessment on the walls before getting any External Wall Insulation or Render-Only work done.
FINDING AN APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED INSTALLER
We have teamed up with EWI Pro to help provide homeowners with an approved and recommended installer network across the UK. EWI Pro are one of the UK’s leading render manufacturers and our experiences with them have always been extremely positive. They have excellent technical support and a vast array of quality products. Their list of approved and recommended installers are specialists, so by choosing one of them to complete your project, you can be assured that the work and the materials installed on your property will be to the highest standard.
If you are looking for an approved or recommended EWI Pro installer, please send an inquiry by filling in your details on the form provided!.
Unsure of what materials you require?
Use our EWI solid wall insulation materials calculator to calculate exactly what materials you will need for a particular job.
EWI Pro Training Academy
We are delighted to announce we have partnered with the EWI Pro Training Academy in Aylesbury to bring you a series of professional installer training courses.
We have 6 unique courses to choose from, each targeting a different area of the External Wall Insulation installation process.The training courses are completed over the course of a half-day or full day, and installers will receive an EWI Pro certificate upon completion.
Why this programme?
The EWI Pro Training courses are designed with an all-round approach to learning. You will be given the chance to learn about installing EWI systems through a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on training.
This programme also allows you to learn from experienced EWI professionals with years of industry experience. This way, you will leave the course equipped with the most relevant skills.
