Rising Damp

Freezteq frozen damp-proof courses
The most popular method of damp-proofing with clients of Wyedean Damp & Mould Control is a diffusion process using frozen damp-proof ice sticks using the Freezteq process.
This transfusion method of damp-proofing is widely acknowledged by scientists and professionals within the damp-proofing industry as being the most effective means of retro-fitting a chemical damp-proof course.

It is a patented method of treating a porous structure in which a frozen rod or pellet of siliconate solution which is liquid at ambient temperature is placed in a bore in the structure and allowed to thaw. This slow melting of the siliconate treating solution allows it seep gently into the porous structure. This method has been used with great success to introduce aqueous solutions of sodium or potassium methyl siliconate into masonry walls to form an effective damp course and therefore prevent the upward passage of rising dampness. The use of Freezteq frozen damp-proofing rods was awarded Agrément Certificate No. 81/827 by the British Board of Agrément and has been used successfully in thousands of properties since it was invented in 1965.

A silicon based water repellent liquid is introduced into the base of the walls via drilled holes which are normally into the mortar joint. The siliconate absorbs or ‘transfuses’ into the capillaries of the masonry; this lines the capillaries with a hydrophobic layer which reverts capillary attraction therefore controlling rising dampness. The silicone material does not block the capillaries; the masonry can still ‘breathe’ , allowing moisture to evaporate from walls. The silicon water repellent used in the transfusion system is water based, non-toxic and it is completely inert once cured and has no deleterious effect on the masonry into which it has been introduced.

Due to the installation process generally being via drilled holes in the mortar joint there is minimal disturbance of the actual stone or brickwork and once installed the holes can be re-pointed with negligible aesthetic impact.

The slow diffusion process of the Freezteq frozen ice-sticks ensures that a waterproof barrier is formed across the whole section of a treated wall. Frozen ice-sticks of Freezteq damp-proofing fluid are inserted into pre-drilled 22mm diameter holes. The ice-sticks then melt gradually and the siliconate damp-proofing fluid transfuses into the capillaries of the masonry, lining the pores of the brickwork or stone with a hydrophobic layer which reverts capillary action and therefore prevents further rising dampness. After the initial ice-sticks have melted further frozen ice-sticks are inserted a further three to four times to ensure that a continuous damp-proof barrier is formed. The silicone material does not block the capillaries and therefore allow the masonry to breathe and the structure of the wall remains unchanged. The water repellent used in the transfusion process is non-toxic and completely inert once cured and has no deleterious effect on the masonry into which it has been introduced.

Rising damp is caused by capillary action where water is drawn up the pores in the brickwork due to the surface tension of the walling material. The hydrophobic siliconates in the Freezteq ice-sticks are pore-lining water repellents, preventing water from being drawn into the pores, which reduces the surface tension of the brickwork so the meniscus normally found in normal capillary action is inverted and damp is therefore prevented from rising.

The slow diffusion process of the Freezteq damp-proofing ice sticks ensures that there is no viscous fingering and that the active damp-proofing fluids are deposited across the entire cross-section of wall ensuring that there is an effective barrier against rising damp from the ground.

A lot of damp-proofing companies in the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire use cream or gel based damp-proof courses but anecdotal evidence indicates that these are not as effective as claimed by manufacturers. We have often been called to jobs where a cream based damp-course has been installed and inspected holes that were treated around 9-12 months previously and found that cream was still in the holes and had not been absorbed into the brickwork and therefore not forming an effective damp course. We found the same thing when inspecting jobs which had a Safeguard Dry Rod damp-proof course or Rentokil Damp Rod damp-proof course installed where even after a year after insertion the rods had not dissolved and therefore had no damp-proofing effect.

The ineffectiveness of these forms of damp-proofing is therefore an added reason to have a Freezteq damp-proof course installed as the frozen damp sticks melt before you and the diffusion process starts immediately and the damp course is effective almost instantly and damp walls will start to dry from day one of the new damp course being installed and the Freezteq damp-proof course is guaranteed for 20 years.

For a free estimate or advice about Freezteq frozen damp-proof course please call us on

01594 723123 or 07801 255370