Damp proof courses
Damp proof courses are located in the bottom area of a building and provide the horizontal sealing of a house, which ensures that its walls remain dry. Normally, this barrier is mandatory for newer buildings, but due to several reasons, the damp proof course is not always correctly installed. Rainwater penetrates through the basement floor. Without a damp proof course water can easily penetrate into the masonry and migrate upwards, which would have very nevative effects on the bulding and its inhabitants.
In the case of new construction, three different possibilities are available for the installation of a damp proof course. One is the placement of a bitumen track under the first row of tiles as well as the sealing with a sludge layer. In this more elaborate method, the first row of stones is placed in a special mortar bed, which is characterized by a particularly high water impermeability. The third possibility is the installation of a damp proof course, a layer of mineralized clay close as close as possible to the basement floor.
In the event that the existing damp proof course is leaking, due to improper work or accidental damage, it needs to be re-installed to prevent water absorption. The latest treatment techniques consist of the injection of a silicone microemulsion. As a result, the capillaries can no longer absorb any water.