Why do some decorators use damp seal on rising damp?

Cinquestelle

Not for the first time I have heard of a painter & decorator who has done this. He has applied damp seal in the basement of my next door neighbour. Yet, as is well-known, this product is not to be used where there is rising damp but to help deal with the detrimental effects of penetrating damp. Does anyone know why some decorators do this? Is there a trick perhaps that the manufacturers are not aware of?

Hintza

I imagine because all they are being asked to do is decorate.

Whilst the bigger problem is not being addressed by the householder.

phill99

Decorators are just that. Not builders. They probably won't know the difference between the various types of damp, so they seal it regardless. They have to put something over the affected area as paint won't adhere other wise.

dampdaveski

Hi Cinq
phil & hint are both absolutely right.
Dampseal type paints in my opinion are a waste of time unless the problem is minor, for instance a roof or gutter leak has damaged the plaster internally, you fix the cause of the problem and if the plaster is just stained or slightly damaged you can get away with applying that type of paint before the decorative coating goes on
If there's a rising damp problem or the plaster is 'soaked' and /or contaminated with salts then applying a dampseal coating is a temporary 'bodge'
DD

Cinquestelle

Thanks guys, I tend to agree, though the decorator must have suspected it was rising damp. I do know that that the damp next door was "really bad" and that the decorator pasted lining paper over the damp seal before painting.

nickj_2

people ,unless there's converting the clellar into a usable room don't want the expense of tanking the walls to give them a waterproof membrane , if you can get away with slapping on some dampseal .