Description

Damp Course Cream is a water-based, environmentally friendly, non-drip thixotropic silane/siloxane formulation designed for use as a damp-proof course in masonry walls. Free from organic solvents, this cream provides a clean, easy-to-apply treatment to permanently stop rising damp in masonry walls.

Recommended Uses

Damp Course Cream is designed for injection into the mortar bed of masonry walls. Once installed, the thixotropic cream remains in close contact with the mortar and gradually releases silane/siloxane into its capillaries until fully absorbed.

During this process, the cream also penetrates the surrounding bricks or masonry above and below the mortar bed. The silane/siloxane then reacts with the mortar and masonry to form a permanent polysiloxane damp-course within the treated wall.

Installation is simple and cost-effective, requiring no specialised equipment. Damp Course Cream suits single, double, or triple brick walls, as well as thick masonry substrates such as block or stone walls with mortar beds. It can be installed from one or both sides of the wall.

After installation, the cream takes several days to fully absorb into the mortar bed. Once absorbed, the mortar becomes water repellent immediately, although full effectiveness may take up to seven days or longer depending on site conditions.

Key Features

• Environmentally friendly water-based formulation
• Zero VOC
• Equal or better performance than pressure damp course injection
• Quick Quick and easy DIY damp proof course application
• Odourless solution and minimal staining
• Effective in a wide range of substrates

Use Instructions

Installing Damp Course Cream requires a hammer drill, a 10 or 12 mm masonry drill bit, a 23 cm caulking gun, and a vacuum cleaner. Follow the steps below to ensure correct installation:

• Perform a pilot trial within the masonry wall before application to confirm that performs correctly and suits the intended purpose.
• Locate a suitable mortar joint approximately 150 mm above ground level, or at or just above floor level so both sides of the wall are evident. If installing from inside, carefully remove any skirting boards to expose the lowest mortar course above the floor.
• Mark hole positions at roughly 80 mm apart so that 3 holes can be drilled horizontally into the mortar bed of each length of brick at approximately 230 mm. Drill each hole to a depth around 10 mm less than the wall thickness. Avoid drilling directly above vertical mortar joints as shown in Figure 1.
• Remove all drilling dust using a vacuum cleaner fitted with an adapter that extracts dust from inside the holes. Ensure you leave absolutely no drill dust behind. It is important that no drill dust is left in the holes.

Figure 1. Positions for drilling

• Inject Damp Course Cream slowly into each hole using a standard caulking gun. Extend the nozzle to the back of the hole, then withdraw it gradually as the cream fills the cavity to ensure complete, even coverage without bubbles or hollows.
• Fill each hole with approximately 12 ml of cream for a single‑brick wall. This equates to about 150 ml per metre of single‑brick wall or 300 ml per metre of double‑brick wall for each filling.

Post‑Treatment

• Allow up to 24 hours or more for the cream to fully absorb into the mortar bed and bricks. Once absorbed, confirm that a continuous horizontal absorption mark (wet mark) mark appears in the treated mortar bed and/or the bricks above and below the treated mortar bed.
• Test water repellency after seven days by drilling several small holes midway between two treated holes. If the cream has not penetrated fully, or if the water‑repellency test shows insufficient performance, apply a second or additional fill of Damp Course Cream.
• Expect initial water repellency immediately after absorption. Full water‑repellent strength within the treated mortar bed may take seven days or longer.
• The new damp course will permanently stop the rising damp. The water which is already present in the wall above the damp course will start to evaporate out as soon as the damp course is installed.
• Allow the treated wall to dry for up to six months before rendering, plastering, or painting. Please refer to information for treatment of wall following damp-course installation.

Typical Data

• Appearance: White thixotropic cream
• Active ingredients: >80%
• Specific gravity: approx. 0.90 g/cm3
• pH value: 7-8
• Solubility in water: Miscible
• VOC content: Nil
• Flash point: >61oC

Important Note

As masonry materials and the condition of buildings vary, it is always recommended that a pilot trial should be carried out prior to installation to determine the suitability of this product for the purpose.

Handling & Storage

Damp Course Cream meets Worksafe Australia’s criteria for a non‑hazardous material. However, follow good industrial hygiene practices whenever you use the product. Store it in closed containers in a cool, dry location away from fire sources. Keep the product sealed between 0°C and 25°C to maintain its 6‑month shelf life.

Packaging

Available in a 300ml caulking tube or in 5 and 20 litre plastic pails. Other size containers may be available on request.

Have a look how the Damp Course Cream is installed with our step-by-step video:

For more information on how to install the DPC Cream via 300ml, click here.

Not sure if you should go for the Damp Course Cream or the Damp Course Fluid?
Check out our FAQ.