Stop Salt Damp

Thinking of hiring a tradie? Here are 5 essential things to check before you do! Ensure you get the best service and results for your home. Watch our reel for all the tips!

Welcome to "What is" Wednesday. We often get asked what some of the terms used in the construction are so we thought we would break it down for you. First up, What is a Bridged Dampcourse?

Imagine your house is like a giant sponge. It can soak up water from the ground if there's nothing to stop it. To keep the walls dry, a special barrier is placed at the base of your walls called a damp proof course. In newer homes, this is the black plastic that sticks out at the base of your walls.

But sometimes, this barrier gets "bridged" or covered over, which means it can't do its job properly. It's like putting a band-aid over a hole in a sponge and then covering the band-aid with water. The water still gets through!

A "bridged" DPC can happen when soil, garden beds, or even new construction materials like paths or pavers cover this barrier. This lets water sneak past the DPC and into your walls, causing dampness and damage.

In simple terms, A bridged damp proof course is when something gets in the way of the barrier that's meant to keep your house dry, letting water in where it shouldn't be.