The exterior of a home is the first thing you see when passing by or entering a property. It makes sense then that it’s properly maintained and kept in perfect condition. Rising damp in walls and exterior wall crack repairs, however, too often become a reality for many trying to keep their homes looking fresh. Before we can tackle the problem, however, we first need to understand why it’s happening.
What Causes Damp in Walls?
The most common cause of wall dampness and mould is excess moisture. This is usually a result of leaky pipes, rising damp from the lower levels of a home, or rain seeping in. In fact, bad weather is mostly to blame for any condensation that forms in exterior walls.
What Causes Cracks in Walls?
Moisture build-up is then also to blame for ceiling and wall cracks again, usually as a result of bad weather. When the temperature and humidity levels shift, the drywall expands and contracts, compromising the existing barrier.
How to Treat Damp Walls and Cracks
While treatment methods will very much depend on the problem at hand, there are a few factors you should consider when it comes to damp cure and plaster crack repair.
- Find the source
Determining the source of your damp or cracks will help dictate how best to remedy the situation. If you’re battling to find the problem, try scraping off the existing paint to expose the wall plaster. A dark grey colour will indicate that it’s wet and needs repairing. Equally as important is inspecting the surrounding walls to understand the extent of the damage.
- Remove the plaster
You’ve identified the source and you know what needs fixing. As a next step, the wall plaster where the damp and cracks appear needs to be completely removed. This is a necessary step because the brickwork needs to dry completely before you can do anything else. Consider cleaning the exposed area with soap and water to ensure a more workable surface later on.
- Find weak spots
Before turning to crack fillers or polyfills, you’ll need to resolve points of water ingress that cause dampness to seep through the plastered walls. These often occur where the walls meet rooftops, boundary walls, and parapet walls. Equally as important, is to ensure fixtures on walls such as gates, steelwork, light fittings, etc. are sufficiently sealed when repairing and painting.
- Prevention methods
The type of paint and plaster mixture you choose will help to avoid further frustrations down the line. The same applies to the undercoats and primers chosen – as the right ones can avoid your paint from flaking. Waterproofing exterior walls before you paint is another sure-fire way to ensure quality maintenance. The Uni-Flexx waterproofing solutions, for example, are acrylic-based meaning they’re not water-soluble. They have great UV resistance and the formula’s expansion allowance reduces the risk of cracking under extreme weather conditions.
Our Services
Finding the right specialist for the job will ensure your exterior walls are left looking brand-new and protected against any further damage. We are specialist waterproofing, roof repair, and painting contractors based in Johannesburg and Pretoria. We provide obligation-free quotes, basic site inspections, and are expertly positioned to provide you with a solution for your individual needs.
Contact a representative from Universal Roofing here.
