Damp seal paint generally contains a strong water-reactive component designed to combat moisture. This durable paint works well in buildings prone to damp problems but just slapping it onto your walls and ceilings won’t be enough to solve all damp issues. If you’re keen on fixing a damp problem and preventing a reoccurrence of unpleasant mould damp seal paint could be the answer. The manufacturers of each of the five products we have listed above claim that their particular brand can help your fight against damp. You can of course then paint over the damp seal with a normal paint of your choosing but it’s not necessary unless you would like a different colour to white (which is the colour most damp seals come in). Will PVA seal a damp wall? Rot in timber can be a major cause of structural damage to your home and occurs primarily due to damp or poor ventilation. It can be very serious – if you suspect you have rot, you should call in specialist help. With the Thompsons paint you can expect around 5m2/L paint coverage making it ideal for small problematic areas. You should apply the Thompsons damp seal with a brush for the best results and ensure that the damp problem area has been prepared before applying.

Damp proof paint should not be used to mask a problem, it should be used as a preventative measure to decrease the risk of reoccurrence. If there is just a small patch of damp on your floor, you may be able to remedy it by painting over the patch to stop any more water coming through. You'll need to apply two coats of bitumen latex waterproof emulsion, which you can buy from many DIY stores, underneath the floor covering. For extra protection, some experts recommend laying reflective foil building paper (foil side up) before the paint is dry.

Key takeaways

Look out for discoloured or stained areas forming – particular hot spots include chimney breasts and the corners of the room. Windows If there are inconsistencies in the type of work recommended, or if you're concerned that the companies may be recommending unnecessary treatment, consider getting an independent damp specialist to assess your home. Open and clean storage areas that don’t receive sunlight, such as cupboards, wardrobes and drawers, to help ventilate and prevent damp. The Polar Damp Seal One Coat Paint is a multi-purpose damp seal that’s especially forumlated to provide protection to interior walls that are prone to damp spread.

Lastly, in some rare cases, cavity wall insulation can cause damp problems. This is usually only the case if your home is exposed to severe levels of wind-driven rain or if your walls are poorly constructed or in very bad condition. You can find out more in our guide to wall insulation and damp problems. How to avoid other problems caused by damp Did you know that you can also get the Polycell One Coat Damp Seal paint in a spray paint aerosol container? Well you can.Damp seal spray paint is hard to control and can result in a wide area of paint residue landing on other furnishings within an area so be prepared before you start spraying. Gaps in (or damage to) window frames and doors can lead to penetrating damp. Make sure your property is airtight and get damage fixed promptly if it occurs. 3. Burst gutters and pipes The micro-porous formulation allows moisture to escape slowly preventing the buildup of problems behind the damp seal. If applying multiple coats then allow the surface the dry, so allow atleast 8 hours before you go ahead and add another coat of the damp seal. The Polycell one coat damp seal spray paint can be used as an undercoat when dried to apply your final paint finish or wallpaper over.