Electro Osmosis

Damp Proofing using Electro Osmosis

Electro osmosis damp proofing systems generate sufficient osmotic flow to overcome the capillary forces that cause rising damp. An electro osmotic damp proof course utilises a series of platinum coated anodes, commercially pure titanium connecting wire, a copper coated cathode and a regulated power supply to drive excess moisture down the wall and back into the ground.

How does osmosis damp proofing work?

The anodes are inserted into brick, concrete or stone walls at regular intervals. The copper cathode is buried into the ground at a lower level and at least a metre or two from the walls. The power regulator imparts a small, but perfectly safe electrical current through the wall.
Free moisture molecules are repelled from the positively charged anode zone and attracted to the buried cathode. The flow is initiated by the movement of positively charged ions that are present in the pore fluid of damp masonry. The water surrounding the positive ions moves with them as the dampness is driven from the wall and harmlessly back into the ground, the osmosis damp proof course working like poles of a magnet to repel or attract.

Where would one use electro osmotic damp proofing?

An electric damp proof course is particularly useful in buildings having:

• Rubble filled walls – Osmosis damp proofing is the only effective way to damp proof walls having a cavity filled with rubble
• Random stone walls – Damp proofing creams require mortar bed continuity whereas an electric system does not
• Low level timber floors – electro osmosis damp proofing system is the only rising damp treatment that can be installed in masonry walls above timber floor joists to drive excess moisture down to a level beneath them, fulfilling a vital purpose of an effective damp proof course.

Once installed the osmosis damp proofing system starts to work immediately. Users can select the preferred option of damp proofing with an electronic voltage regulator having a digital read-out, allowing on-going monitoring of the osmosis damp proof course.