November 2009 has been officially been named the wettest month ever in the UK.
Day after day sees torrential downpours on a scale which has not only fully saturated the ground but overwhelmed flood defences and caused flood damage to thousands and thousands of homes and offices throughout the country.
The reason for this is uncertain, though some experts believe it is a direct result of global warming.
The harsh reality is that we are living with the real risk of flood damage to properties.
Implementing Flood Defence Strategies Flood defence strategies are being called on to protect vulnerable towns and cities throughout the UK.
A number of different damp proofing products and systems are being utilised by local councils to protect structures from flood damage.
In November the towns which have implemented flood defences have benefited by giving emergency services time to evacuate townships prior to the floods arriving.
Unprecedented amounts of rainfall may have overwhelmed major flood defence systems but some properties have been able to weather the effects of flood - by using damp proofing products as flood defence measures for their properties.
Damp proofing products and full waterproofing membrane systems can help mitigate the effects of flooding in most types of buildings, from historic to new-build.
Damp proofing products and waterproofing systems can provide permanent protection from flood damage A number of methods are available including: - installing flood gates across the door and windows - the application of damp proofing membranes to the internal walls - external sump pump stations to capture the water prior to coming against the property (especially in below ground properties) - damp injection method - diy damp solutions - damp tanking strategies - dpc damp solutions Full Waterproofing Systems Are Essential Many properties that have suffered from flood damage previously are now installing damp proofing products.
However, in below ground areas like basements or cellars, a full waterproofing membrane system would be recommended to combat the risk of flooding.
Damp proofing products would typically include damp proofing membranes with dimples.
The membrane is fixed to the structure internally and the air gap provided by the dimples allows for ventilation.
The dimples are very important and comprise the 'air gap technology' - i.
e.
the air space allows dampness to dry out behind the wall.
This simple approach means that if your property has been flood damaged before then the saturated walls can dry out behind the membrane and allow for a permanent finish to be applied (plasterboard or render) usually the same day, getting people back into their homes quicker.
This is a good alternative to drying out the property with blow heaters and putting dehumidifiers in every room because flood damaged walls will be drying out over a period of years not weeks.
Often if you try and paint or replaster any contaminates in the damp walls then salts will come through and you will have a recurring and unsightly problem.
The internal membrane installation approach should also take into consideration the ability to remove any water that is to come near the structure.
Usually this would involve placing a basedrain gutter internally into the wall to floor junction to channel the water to a sump and pump.
Full waterproofing membrane systems are available which deal with water penetrating the property and work by pumping the water out.
These would be essential for below ground application, for example.
a damp cellar or damp basement.
Penetrating damp can cause permanent problems, but damp proofing products act as the permanent solution for damp walls, as well as other problems like condensation damp, rising damp and associated side effects such as damp plaster.
Damp proofing products can be installed quickly and efficiently, and are a cost effective solution