In the age of YouTube and TikTok, where the internet is awash with DIY home maintenance and renovation tutorials, it can sometimes feel like everyone’s an expert. Don’t get us wrong, it’s fantastic that more people feel confident tackling odd jobs around the house, saving themselves a few pennies in the process. But, it is worth remembering that not every fix is quite as simple as that glossy 30-second time-lapse you saw online may have you believe.
This is especially true when it comes to damp proofing and timber treatment. Using the wrong method, or even the right method applied incorrectly, can make a damp problem worse and ultimately turn what you thought was a great money-saving hack into a rather expensive “uh-oh” moment.
We’re here to help you distinguish between when a damp or timber problem can be sorted with a simple DIY fix, and when calling in the professionals (like us!) is the wisest move.
Understanding the Problem
The first step in determining whether to tackle a job yourself or leave it to the experts is to understand the damp or timber problem plaguing your home fully.
Damp Issues
Rising Damp – Moisture travels up walls from the ground, leaving tide marks, crumbling plaster, and sometimes a musty smell. It’s usually caused by an existing damp proof course failing, and treatment involves installing or repairing a new DPC.
Penetrating Damp – Water enters through walls, roofs, or windows, often due to cracked render, damaged cavity wall ties, or poor external insulation. To fix it, you need to identify the source of the leak and repair the affected area.
Condensation – Forms when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces, leading to mould growth. It’s often first noticeable as condensation on windows and can be managed by improving ventilation and controlling the moisture in your home.
Left untreated, these issues can cause structural damage, promote mould growth, and pose some nasty health hazards to you and whoever you live with.
Timber Problems:
Woodworm Infestation – Look for small, round holes, fine powder (frass), and weakened timber. Treatment usually involves applying an insecticide and, if necessary, replacing the affected wood.
Dry Rot or Wet Rot – Dry rot develops in poorly ventilated, damp areas, and wet rot occurs when timber stays wet for long periods. Fixing it means tackling the source of the moisture, improving ventilation, and replacing any damaged timber.
Fungal Decay – Fungi thrive in moist conditions and gradually break down wood fibres. Fungicide wood treatment generally sorts the problem, and any wood that’s affected can also be repaired or removed, depending on the extent of the damage.
Timber problems worsen over time and can ultimately jeopardise the structural integrity of your home. Let’s be honest, nobody wants their foot to go crashing through their floorboards, so it’s best to deal with issues like woodworm, rot and decay as soon as possible.
Key Considerations
As well as the type of damp or timber problem you’re facing, it’s essential to consider the type and age of your property and the severity of the issue. Minor damp patches may well be manageable, but widespread rising dampness treatment or basement tanking is usually a significant undertaking, and not something many non-professionals can safely tackle.
In older homes, structural timbers such as joists or beams may be supporting a significant amount of weight, so removing or altering them without proper care can be extremely dangerous. Older properties can also have hidden surprises, like outdated damp courses, hidden structural problems, or particularly aggressive infestations that may further complicate a well-intentioned DIY attempt.
For further guidance on identifying a damp or timber issue in your home and knowing what steps to take, refer to:
- Don’t Let Woodworm Win – Spot the Signs & Save Your Timber!
- Rising Damp on Internal Walls
- The Difference Between Rising Damp & Condensation
- 10 Signs of Rising Damp
DIY Solutions
Certain damp proofing and timber preservation techniques are pretty manageable, provided you take the necessary steps and precautions.
Manageable DIY Tasks
Surface mould removal
Surface mould can be treated using specialist mould cleaners that kill mould spores and thoroughly clean the area. Once the surface is dry, you can apply anti-mould paint to create a protective barrier, preventing regrowth and keeping walls and ceilings fresh for longer.
Improving ventilation
Good airflow is essential for reducing condensation and damp. You can improve the airflow in your home by fitting trickle vents to windows, installing ceiling fans, replacing or repairing clogged extractor fans, or simply giving your bathroom fan a thorough clean to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible.
Timber preservatives
Wood preservatives, such as Ronseal or Barrettine, can be applied to non-structural, easily accessible wood. This protects the timber from rot, insects, and moisture damage, helping to extend the life of window frames, doors, skirting boards, and other similar structures.
Gutter cleaning and repairs
Keep your gutters clean and free from debris to prevent rainwater from entering your home. Minor repairs like fixing leaks or resealing joints can prevent water from seeping into walls and wreaking havoc.
DIY Damp Proofing Tips
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially for chemical-based mould-resistant paint or timber treatments.
- Wear protective gear if you’re coming into contact with potentially hazardous mould. This includes gloves, goggles, and masks.
- If you’re ever in doubt or feel like a task may be beyond your abilities. Don’t take the risk. Your safety should always come first.
DIY is best suited for minor, clearly identifiable problems where the risk of exacerbating the issue is relatively low.
When to Call a Professional
In some situations, there’s simply no substitute for expert help. You should call a professional if:
- You have rising damp that’s causing severe damage to your plaster, skirting boards, or structural elements in your home, like beams.
- Persistent penetrating damp is worsening, and you can’t identify the source without major disruption to your home.
- Woodworm infestations, dry rot, structural fungal decay, or other timber problems are affecting large areas, such as an entire floor or substantial sections of your property.
- You have a particularly old property with intricate joinery or fragile materials, where DIY work could cause irreversible damage.
Why does it matter?
Professionals use specialised tools, such as moisture meters, timber probes, and humidity sensors, to pinpoint the problem. Experienced surveyors, like the team at CS Damp Proofing, have years of experience diagnosing issues across all sorts of different properties.
Treatments such as chemical damp proof course injections, cavity wall tie replacement, or large-scale woodworm eradication require skill and precision. They must be applied correctly and safely to do their job properly. Botching a job can easily cause further damage or create temporary fixes that quickly fail. This could impact your property’s value and create unwanted complications if you plan to sell or rent it out in the future.
Professional intervention also provides peace of mind through warranties. DIY work may also cause issues with insurance claims should you ever have to make one in relation to your property. Plus, if you make a simple error like sealing a wall too tightly and trapping moisture, you end up with more work, more expenses, and more headaches!
Cost vs Risk
We know it’s tempting to tackle problems yourself, but when it comes to damp proofing and timber preservation, the stakes are high; the stakes are your home. DIY products, such as DPC injection creams, damp-proof membrane kits, or damp-proofing rods, are easy to find online, but they can’t replace the knowledge and skill that come with professional experience.
We’re Here if You Need Us!
DIY 100% has its place, and we’re not trying to discourage all you handy homeowners who are more than willing to roll up your sleeves. However, for long-term protection, peace of mind, and guaranteed results, it pays to bring in the experts.
If you’ve noticed signs of damp, timber decay, or woodworm in your home, arrange a professional survey with CS Damp Proofing today, and get the problem solved properly, first time, without the stress.
Call us on 01765 452510 to discuss your problem or request a call using the contact form on our website.