How to damp proof older properties

How to damp proof older properties

Modern damp proofing on older properties doesn’t work but there is an alternative argues carringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training in Gloucestershire

When working with older properties you have to do things differently. Modern methods and materials can often cause irreversible damage. 

The majority of buildings built pre-1940 were constructed using solid walls. For a solid walled property to be damp free, it needs to be able to allow moisture to be absorbed and released – often referred to as ‘breathability’. All aspects of the construction should be working together to allow this to happen.

Modern damp proofing techniques generally concentrate on stopping moisture from getting into a building, however, by doing this on a solid wall, moisture that is able to enter the wall will become trapped which can lead to damp issues.

In contrast to cement-based products, lime is a permeable material that will allow moisture to travel through walls eliminating damp issues and creating a healthy environment.

Permeably materials such as lime and clay are now commonplace on retrofit projects as well as Passivhaus and Eco builds so being up to speed with how they work is vital to your business’s longevity.

carringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training in Gloucestershire run an accredited 2-day course in Understanding Repair and Maintenance of Traditional Buildings in which students gain a comprehensive understanding of building physics, legalisation and appropriate materials. During 2025, this course will be fully funded for tradespeople.

To find out more about the course and how you can gain your qualification drop Kate an email at info@carringtonlime.co.uk.

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