Unwanted moisture or dampness in your building can be a real headache to deal with. Apart from leaving a musty smell and unsightly spots on your walls and ceilings, damp can lead to serious health issues and structural damage if left unaddressed.
How Much Will It Cost to Damp Proof Your Home in 2023?
Unwanted moisture or dampness in your building can be a real headache to deal with. Apart from leaving a musty smell and unsightly spots on your walls and ceilings, damp can lead to serious health issues and structural damage if left unaddressed.
Thankfully, you can save yourself the headache of dealing with damp when you get your property damp proofed. Damp proofing can effectively protect your home from moisture and water damage. But how much does it cost?
In this article, we shall be taking a look at how much it will cost to damp proof your home in 2023, including the factors that affect the cost of damp proofing.
What is the First Step to Having Your Property Damp Proofed?
If you suspect that you might be dealing with a damp issue, the first step you need to take is hiring a surveyor or damp specialists london to carry out an investigation to determine the type of damp you have and its underlying cause. From the survey, the damp specialist will be able to recommend the best type of damp proofing your property needs. They will also give you a rough estimate of how much the damp proofing will cost.
Factors Affecting the Costs of Damp Proofing
The average cost of damp proofing your home may vary depending on a number of different factors. These factors include;
The Type of Damp
There are different types of damp, and each type requires a different treatment. Some of the methods used in these treatments may also be more expensive than others. Rising damp, for example, usually requires the installation of a DPC (Damp Proof Course), which is more expensive compared to the treatment of condensation.
The Severity of the Issue
The cost of damp proofing can also be significantly affected by the severity of the damp issue. Small areas of damp are typically easier and less expensive to fix than a larger area that has been affected for an extended period of time.
Location
The location of your property is another factor that can influence the cost of damp proofing. Damp proofing prices may be higher for homes that are located in cities (where materials and labour are more expensive) or areas where the demand for damp proofing services is high.
Property Size
Another factor that can affect the cost of damp proofing is the size of your property. Larger properties require more labour and materials, so damp proofing will obviously be more expensive.
Access to the Affected Area
If the area affected by the damp can’t be easily accessed, the cost of damp proofing may increase. Basements and hard-to-reach areas that sometimes require scaffolding can definitely drive up the price of damp proofing.
Quality of Damp Proofing Materials
The higher the quality of damp proofing materials used, the higher the cost of damp proofing. Bear in mind that although higher quality materials are more expensive, they provide better results that last long-term.
Labour Rates
Depending on the damp proofing company you hire, labour costs for damp proofing may vary.
The Damp Proofing Method
Different methods of damp proofing exist and the cost of each method may vary. Some of the most common damp proofing methods include:
Damp Proof Course (DPC) – This is the method commonly used to treat rising damp. It involves placing a membrane or waterproof material in the walls to prevent water and moisture from rising through. The process of installing a DPC can be complicated, and it requires some structural, so the cost may vary from £1000 to £5000 depending on the severity of the damage and the size of the DPC.
Injection Damp Proofing – In this method, a silicone-based damp proof liquid is injected into the walls, where they create a water-repellent barrier between the wall and the source of the moisture. It costs about £70 to inject a metre of wall, which means that each wall would cost about £250- £300.
Membrane Damp Proofing- This method involves the application of a waterproof membrane (usually made from polyethylene) to the walls to form a protective layer against dampness. Its installation costs about £100 – £150 per square metre.
Tanking Slurry- This is used for severe cases of dampness, so you may not need it. With this method, a thick coating material is applied to walls to create a barrier against moisture. This method also helps prevent mould and rot. It costs about £30 to £60 per square metre.
Other damp proofing methods include; chemical damp proofing, cavity wall damp proofing, and electro-osmosis damp proofing.
Conclusion
Damp proofing is necessary to protect your home from the damaging effects of damp and condensation. In terms of damp proofing costs, there are several factors that need to be considered. They include; the type of damp and damp proofing method, the severity of the problem, labour costs, location, the size of your property, quality of damp proofing materials, and access to the affected area.
On average, the cost of damp proofing your home in the UK can vary from £300 to well over £2500, with the final price depending on the above-mentioned factors.
