No one wants to think about dampness, live with it, or spend hard-earned money putting it right. As homeowners just like you, we know there’s just so many more fun things to spend your money.
That’s why damp proof paint has made the headlines recently because it’s marketed as the best defence for your interior walls. We thought we’d put it to the test and dive into the details.
- Damp proof paint should be seen as a defensive, proactive measure rather than a solution to an existing damp problem
- Damp proof paint allows your walls to breathe so moisture gradually escapes and it also blocks large amounts of water from seeping back in
- Humid rooms (the kitchen and bathroom) and cold rooms (garages storage rooms on the outside of your property) are prime candidates for damp proof paint
- There’s no substitute for a professionally applied damp treatment if your home is having issues
Let’s take a look at these key points in a little more detail so you can see exactly what we’re talking about, as well as how we can help put things right in no time at all.
Is damp proof paint really worth it?
As long as you don’t have existing damp issues, damp proof paint is something worth investing in.
If you’re in the unfortunate position of having to currently live with damp, do not mistake damp proof paint as a cure to all your problems. Applying it will not kill mould, stop damp or help you repair the damage to your property.
If your home has been professionally treated by an expert team and damp is no longer present, we would advise the application of damp proof paint as an extra layer of protection.
Choosing the specific type of paint, and when to apply it, depends a lot on the state of your walls, the temperature and humidity, and the nature of the treatment applied. If in doubt, leave it to our experts and we’ll take care of everything so you can sleep easy.
Where’s the best place to apply damp proof paint?
Damp proof paint, when properly applied by an expert, will act as a highly effective form of protection in your bathroom, kitchen and garage. It’s also a suitable protective barrier in rooms that tend to attract condensation in the winter.
Conservatories with wooden finishing and detailing are a part of the home that’s often overlooked but that would benefit from an additional layer of protection from seasonal moisture.
If in doubt, a quick visit from our experts will identify everywhere you need to protect and provide you with a quote to take care of it all without delay.
How does damp proof paint really work?
Damp proof paint is built around a clever water-reactive element, the precise chemical nature of which changes from one brand to the next.
Rather than getting lost in the details here, the key point to take away with you is that it will let moisture escape from behind the paint while also preventing it from getting back there.
You can think of it as a protective layer that allows your walls to breathe so they can gradually expel the troublesome moisture which, if left unaddressed, will soon result in damp and toxic mould.
It won’t be able to solve the problems once they start, but it’s the first line of defence your interior surfaces need to make sure the problems never get moving in the first place.
What are the common mistakes people make with damp proof paint?
Damp proof paint is not designed to be filler or to correct for defects in the underlying surface. No matter how thick you apply it, the finish will simply be far too brittle to handle anything like these types of repairs.
While this may be frustrating if that’s what you were hoping to do, damp proof paint is simply not designed for those types of purposes.
The other common mistake DIY decorators and home renovators make is trying to paint over existing damp with damp proof paint. They are often spurred on by seeing their walls look as good as new over the next couple of days, but it simply won’t last.
Damp proof paint is a defensive layer designed to improve protection — not a treatment that you can put on and make everything fine again. Contacting a skilled damp treatment team is your safest and smartest option if you already have damp folks.
Are there different types of damp proof paint?
While damp proof paint used to be something of a niche product, you’ll now find that every big-name brand out there has an extensive range of finishes and colours to choose from.
You will also see an increasing number of paints advertising themselves as having anti-mould properties.
This is achieved by including fungicides which will work to kill off very small amounts of mould for up to 5 years. While this sounds like it could fix your damp issues if you’ve never thought of damp treatments before, please be wary.
No form of paint is ever a substitute for a professional course of damp treatments and an assessment of your property by an expert. The marketing may make it sound like the cure-all solution that will save you money, but damp proof paint is only ever a defence mechanism and is never a cure.
Should you bother with damp proof paint?
The approach is to speak to our experts so that you can make best use of your hard-earned money.
It will make sure you only apply paint where it’s needed, fix any underlying issues, and end up with a warm and cosy home free from any potentially harmful issues like toxic mould which can have a severe impact on your health.
Also read; Painting New Plaster: How to Apply a Mist Coat
We’re only ever a quick call or click away when you need us folks, so why tackle this time-consuming issue any other way?
