Damp Proof Course  (  DPC  )

An impervious barrier built into the wall approximately two bricks – 150mm – height from the ground. These barriers are slate, felt, plastic or a high density blue brick.

As the wall below this line gets wet from rising damp and rainfall the waterproof DPC layer stops the moisture and damp from rising up into the wall through capilliary action.

Damp Proof Course Bridging

This is when the ground level externally is raised above the existing damp proof membrane and is often caused by tarmac or slabbing a drive or patio and in some cases raised flower beds being positioned against external walls.

In these cases water will be drawn across this artificially created bridge, bypass the waterproof barrier and appear as damp on the interior of the wall.

Damp Proof Course Injection

When a DPC has broken down or been permanently breached a common and affordable  method of re-instating an effective damp proof barrier is to have the mortar joints along the base of the wall, and 6 inches or so above ground, injected with a special waterproof cream.

This cream spreads across the whole width of the wall and becomes a new efficient waterproof barrier and will prevent rising damp.

Dew Point

The temperature of a surface such that when moisture vapour comes into contact with the surface it condenses to a liquid and shows as condensation.

Most evident as water running down a cold mirror when showering in winter or when in the car and the windows mist up as our warm moist breath contacts the cold windscreen.

In homes with solid walls or inadequate heating the dew point is reached faster than heated insulated homes where the dew popint is only ever reached in the bathroom or kitchen when steam is generated and windows are closed.

Dry Rot

This is a nasty fungus which rots timber, masonry and plaster . It can be successfully treated with a chemical spray if caught in time and often can mean replacing some rotted joists to prevent further spread.

Eaves

The horizontal wooden exterior roof overhang that the roof tile sits on top of and the facia boards affix to the end of.

Sometimes the underneath is left as an open eaves but is probably more commonly  covered in by a soffit board.

Effluorescence

Effluorescence is the white powdery deposits visible on the exterior face of masonry and plaster. Whilst looking unattractive it is not a cause for concern and is merely the mineral salts present in the masonry etc that migrates to the surface as the wall dries out through moisture evaporation.

Most commonly seen shortly after work has been done and cured by simply wire brushing the white powder from the wall surface.

External Wall Insulation

An increasingly valued method of successfully insulating cold solid walls with no cavity to fill. Widely accepted as the most thermally efficient improvement to a solid wall property.

The insulation material comes in boards covered with a weather resistant render or a real brick finish. For more information click external insulation for houses

Facia Boards

Horizontal boards attached to the rafter ends at the eaves of the roof and to which guttering is attached to drain water off the roof.

Often made from wood but increasingly being replaced or covered in maintenance free white,oak or cherrywood upvc.

Flashing

Usually made of lead, flashing is used to bridge the join between two structures such as a conservatory or single storey extension to the house wall , the purpose being to stop rain water entering where the two surfaces meet.

Flaunching

The contoured mortar around the base of chimney pots used to secure the pot in place and shaped to ensure water runs.

.

.                                                                        WETHERTEX  - better for the experience