Damp proofing - UltraCure injection cream

Steve_xx

I've been reading about Ultracure Injection Cream. It's a product used for installing damp proof courses. Unlike the other wet type systems it comes in a cartridge, a bit like silicone sealant, and you simply drill holes in the mortar course at certain intervals and then pump the cream into the holes.

My question is: has anyone had any experience of using this system and of course, is it effective in eliminating rising damp problems?

Here is a link to a site that sells the product: http://www.dampness-info.co.uk/order_overture.htm?MerchantID=60730&ProductID=2195155#Damp

Here is another link to a similar type cream injection system:

http://www.treatdamp.co.uk/Dryzone+Damp+Proofing+Creme-c-5.html?zenid=c0b7969e26bea4ae0b9e7aed1a5b9ebd

mikey72

I can't vouch for either of the two products, I had a house injected with a similar system though.
It was professionally done, with a product that loooked very similar to the dryzone packaging. It was as cheap to have it done professionally as it was to buy the product myself. I did all the preparation and remedial work though.
It seems to have worked, a year on.
Having said that, it can take several months for a thick wall to dry out, and as you tank them after most damp proof treatments anyway, it's hard to know what's happening under there.
I did leave the walls bare for a few months, and it did appear to reduce in reading on my damp meter, so I am happy with it. There was one patch that damp appeared on again, but I had accidently bridged the injection course, when I cleared this it was fine, so it must be doing something.
I got all the guarantees and insurances with it, so I reckon it's as good as any.

Steve_xx

Thanks for your valuable comments. I have a short area of rising damp and I was considering using one of these types of products as a remedy and I wanted to hear peoples views on its efficacy.

mikey72

Just read my invoice, it was dryzone that was used, so out of the two, that's the only one I can comment on.
It did have good reviews at the time, that's probably why I went with it.

info_addict

Hi, hope I can help.

I spent a great deal of time investigating a large number of these cream type systems, before tackling the job myself. I am a Chartered QS in the building industry, which most probably means I am a bit anal and do not like to part with my money!!

Also, let me state I am not a great fan of chemical injection systems. The best way to prevent rising damp is:
a) to thoroughly investigate what could be causing the damp i.e. raised external path levels etc, and cure this. Is it just condensation and not rising damp etc etc
b) insert a physical damp proof course i.e. remove the bricks and insert a proper Hyload type membrane or similar.

In my case neither was a viable solution and I opted for the cream injection. I obtained a number of quotes from DPC firms and they all seemed excessive in comparison to DIY. I had no problem in removing the plaster and had adequate skills to drill the holes and inject the cream myself (not rocket science). The only part I had done by others was the replastering.

It has been done now for about 6 months and is fine. Believe me the wall was satuarated with damp. Infact prior to injecting I had a halogen heater on the wall and steam came off for quite some time.

After a lot of research, I found that all of these systems appear to be much of a muchness (IMO), as they are all based on a silane/siloxane emulsion type cream, believe me I read all of the Agement Cerficates, which I think is important.

The only draw back I would say about the systems you have linked to above, is the catch that you generally have to buy a special skeleton gun, which you may never use again. I eventually found a supplier who provided the cream in 310ml tubes, so I could use a normal gun. Or they can be purchased cheaply from poundshops etc. The cream also was a lot cheaper.

If you wish any further info, please pm me and I will provide further details and email you all the Agrement certificates etc.

Hope this helps

Steve_xx

info_addict wrote: »

Hi, hope I can help.

I spent a great deal of time investigating a large number of these cream type systems, before tackling the job myself. I am a Chartered QS in the building industry, which most probably means I am a bit anal and do not like to part with my money!!

Also, let me state I am not a great fan of chemical injection systems. The best way to prevent rising damp is:
a) to thoroughly investigate what could be causing the damp i.e. raised external path levels etc, and cure this. Is it just condensation and not rising damp etc etc
b) insert a physical damp proof course i.e. remove the bricks and insert a proper Hyload type membrane or similar.

In my case neither was a viable solution and I opted for the cream injection. I obtained a number of quotes from DPC firms and they all seemed excessive in comparison to DIY. I had no problem in removing the plaster and had adequate skills to drill the holes and inject the cream myself (not rocket science). The only part I had done by others was the replastering.

It has been done now for about 6 months and is fine. Believe me the wall was satuarated with damp. Infact prior to injecting I had a halogen heater on the wall and steam came off for quite some time.

After a lot of research, I found that all of these systems appear to be much of a muchness (IMO), as they are all based on a silane/siloxane emulsion type cream, believe me I read all of the Agement Cerficates, which I think is important.

The only draw back I would say about the systems you have linked to above, is the catch that you generally have to buy a special skeleton gun, which you may never use again. I eventually found a supplier who provided the cream in 310ml tubes, so I could use a normal gun. Or they can be purchased cheaply from poundshops etc. The cream also was a lot cheaper.

If you wish any further info, please pm me and I will provide further details and email you all the Agrement certificates etc.

Hope this helps

Thanks for your input and detail. I take all of our points regarding the releative ease of installation, and like you, I would propose to undertake it myself. I would get a plasterer in to do any necessary replastering. I'm not proposing to install a hard barrier system by removing courses of bricks.

I note your comment on the cost of the skeleton gun and realised that this item was a bit of a rip-off. However, some while ago I looked on eBay and noted that you could source the items there at a lower cost, often with the cream bundled in.

I'm interested in these types of system because it seems relatively easy to install. In the past I have had a go with the wetter systems and not found them to be successful, ie I have inserted the product on a drip-feed basis rather than renting a pump to insert it, so that might be why it wasn't especially successful.

Steve_xx

I just had a look on eBay and saw this one, which by comparison looks cheaper than the Dryzone offers on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-x-400ml-DPC-DAMPPROOFING-INJECTION-CREAM-DAMP-PROOF_W0QQitemZ350134782564QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item350134782564&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

info_addict

Bit worried about this

I would get a plasterer in to do any necessary replastering

You are aware that ALL plaster, up to about a metre will have to be removed prior to injection? So replastering will certainly be required, with the base coat either being a proprietry system, or cement and sand render with waterproofer, in my case.

Steve_xx

info_addict wrote: »

Bit worried about this

You are aware that ALL plaster, up to about a metre will have to be removed prior to injection? So replastering will certainly be required, with the base coat either being a proprietry system, or cement and sand render with waterproofer, in my case.

Yes, I understand.

info_addict

The cream you have linked to on ebay is actually Envirosafe One Shot Injection Cream manufactured by Construction Chemicals (UK) Ltd. I have the Agrement Certificate. In specification terms, it seems to be identical to the cream I used.

The price seems competative, however if you intend to use this product, I would incvestigate further on the applicator nozzle, as in the photos I have it appears to be a normal silicone type tapered nozzle, which may be more difficult to get through your 12mm dia hole. The system I used had a long thin flexible nozzle which attached to an adaptor on the tube and could be reused over and over.

lynnemcf

Pleased to find this thread, just investigating damp proofing for my house. Off to look on ebay.