Rising damp is the most common form of damp that results from heavy condensation in a building. It is most commonly caused by upward rising ground water that penetrates the permeable wall structure. It is important to diagnose rising damp correctly and early on to ensure there is no long-term damage caused to the property and consequent resale value.

The most common causes of rising damp include:

• Poor drainage of water in and outside the home, resulting in excess amounts of water underneath the house.
• Bridging that results from the raising of an external/internal floor levels often caused by sub-floor obstructions such as debris;
• A complete absence of damp proof courses, as especially seen in older buildings
• Porous materials such as bricks, stones and mortar which allow the damp to rise via capillary action
• Poor ventilation in the sub-floor, which can lead to increases condensation and the rotting of timber floorboard.
• Damaged or leaking guttering and pipes

Liquids that can penetrate building materials such as natural stone, masonry, concrete and grout, may be waterproofed and therefore protected by one of two types of sealers:

1. Surface sealers – which provide a physical barier over the surface
2. Impregnating sealers – which do not not completely stop dirt and rubber getting into the open pores of the surface but o carry little effect on the frictional properties and appearance of the surface.

As it is critical to provide protection from weathering of homes material to prevent rising damp, it is important to consider how deep will your sealer penetrate below the surface, and how long this penetration will last.