In the big picture there are two ways to introduce a new damp proof course, mechanical and chemical injection.
Mechanical is where the operator removes 2/3 bricks at a time, introduces new plastic sheeting, replaces the bricks and repeats the process along the length of the wall.
Pros – Very efficient
Cons – Could affect the structural integrity of the wall
Labour intensive and expensive
Paraffin Based Solvents
Chemical injection is where damp proofing ingredients are introduced into the wall via a “carrier” by injecting into predrilled holes. Traditionally the carrier for many years has been a paraffin based solvent which is injected under pressure or by gravity feed.
Pressure Injection
Pressure injection, as the name implies, is where the solvent is pumped into the wall via rods inserted into the predrilled hole by using a motor driven pump.
Pros – Debatable
Cons – Messy, smelly and can have an adverse affect on asthma sufferers
The solvent injected under pressure will take the course of least resistance where there are fissures in the masonry resulting in uneven distribution
Sometimes bursts through into adjoining rooms damaging unprotected floor covering
Sometimes blows back through adjacent predrilled holes with similar disastrous results
Efficient application is dependent on the expertise of the operator
Labour intensive and expensive
Gravity Feed
Gravity feed is where the holes are predrilled at a 45% angle into the wall and open ended bottles with nozzles are introduced one to each hole along the wall and the solvent then poured into the open end of the bottle which then gravity feeds into the wall.
Pros – More efficient as even distribution of the solvent is guaranteed
Less risk of damage
Cons – Messy, smelly and can have an adverse affect on asthma sufferers
Time consuming as it can take over 24 hours to gravity feed depending on the porosity of the masonry
Unsightly, making rooms inhabitable during the time of the process with inconvenience to the householder especially where bedrooms are involved
Labour intensive and expensive
More recently cream carriers have superseded paraffin based carriers.
Safeguard Chemicals in England developed the first water based cream carrier “Dryzone” in 2000. Damp Busters (Australia) Pty Ltd introduced it into the Australian market place in 2003.
Australian History: Dryzone was originally offered to our major competitor in Australia and for whatever was rejected by them. We were, at the time, the new kids on the block, being incorporated in 2001, and contacted Safeguard, as they had not approached us, with a view to securing the Dryzone agency. Safeguard agreed to send us samples for testing and to say we were more than impressed with the results would be an understatement.
Previously to 2003 we had been using paraffin based solvents as were all other operators offering chemical injection. Within six months of introducing Dryzone into our range we gave away paraffin based solvent injecting and went solely with Dryzone.
Our major competitors denounced the cream technology claiming that it was not effective especially for Australian conditions. An interesting claim as rising (salt) damp is rising (salt) damp wherever it is found in the World and no more virulent than in English conditions. Now some years later the majority of those same detractors have now introduced creams into their own range none of which have tested to be as efficient as Dryzone which is now being sold in 12 countries around the World and has proven to be the World leading product for eradicating rising (salt) damp by chemical injection.
For us this has proven to be a “Pretty Woman” experience as we have the Australian agency for this premier product with hundreds of successful applications including heritage buildings with not one failure.
So how does it work?
Dryzone is injected with a caulking gun by inserting the metal nozzle into pre-drilled 12mm horizontal holes drilled at 110mm centres along the lowest mortar course above ground. Using the same capillary action that the moisture in the ground used to invade the wall in the first place Dryzone slowly and evenly disperses to a 70mm radius around each hole along the mortar course and into the masonry over a 7 day period.
Pros – Proven most efficient chemical injection system.
Water based, no mess and no smell.
Injected by hand pressure thereby minimizing any spillage.
No bottles sticking out of wall.
Fast. Will treat a whole house in 1/3 of the time taken with solvent method therefore saving $$ on labour.
All rooms including bedrooms can be used the same day as the treatment with no disruption to lifestyle.
No adverse effect to asthma sufferers
Pet friendly
BBA approved.
Cons – Some risk of wastage by over filling holes
Safeguard have done it again and have now developed over the past 4 years the Dryrod system which supersedes Dryzone.
What are Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods?
Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods are the next generation treatment for rising damp. They provide a higher level of performance and quicker installation speed than any other rising damp treatment currently available.
Dryrods are 12mm diameter, 180mm length, fibre rods that contain a powerful water repellent. The patented, and BBA Approved, Dryrod delivery system ensures the correct dose of active ingredient is delivered to the wall every time, permanently eradicating rising damp.
No fuss, no mess, no stress.
How to Install Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods
The Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods are simply introduced into a series of 12mm holes drilled into the lowest available continuous mortar course. No special equipment is required.
Once the damp-proofing rods are installed, they diffuse the active ingredient deep into the wall before it cures to form a water-repellent barrier. This prevents the damp from rising up the wall.
Coverage
Number of packs required per 5m stretch of wall:
| 4½″ (110 mm) | 9″ (220 mm) | 13½″ (330 mm) | |
| Wall depth | |||
| Number of packs per 5m | 2 | 4 | 12 |
Full installation instructions can be found on our DIY page.
Why use Dryrod?
As the latest development in the treatment of rising damp, there are numerous advantages to using Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods:
The Importance of Effective Damp-Proofing
Naturally, homeowners want the most effective products available to be used to treat rising damp in their properties. Creating the best possible barrier to rising damp minimises moisture in the wall and blocks the build-up of ground salts.
For this reason, Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods have been designed to form an effective damp-proof course in walls of all types and have been tested under conditions of up to 95% saturation, where it has been shown to outperform all tested competitor products.
This is important because no two walls suffering from rising damp are the same. In particular the physical properties of the mortar used to construct walls can vary considerably and this can have a significant influence on the effectiveness of any rising damp treatment.
Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods are effective in a wide range of conditions, including:
Pros – Low Hazard, Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods are solvent free, odour free and non-caustic
Proven most efficient system out performing Dryzone
Easiest system to install only requiring a hammer drill, 12mm drill bit
and sharp cutting tool such as garden secateurs
Absolutely no risk of spillage so no mess
Delivers correct dose every time so no risk of applicator error therefore
suitable for DIY
Fast, quicker than Dryzone to install
No smell, rooms treated are habitable the same day
No averse affect on Asthma sufferers or pets
Suitable for all different mortar courses
BBA approved
Cons – No apparent