Finding damp halfway through a renovation can stop everything in its tracks.
You may have taken off skirting boards, stripped back a wall or started decorating, only to find damp patches that need dealing with before you can carry on.
If damp-proof course injection has been identified as part of the right rising damp treatment, hiring the equipment can be a sensible option. If you are considering DPC injection kit hire, you can get access to the specialist equipment for the job without buying something you may only need once.
Before you start drilling or arranging equipment, though, make sure you know what is causing the damp and that DPC injection is the right treatment for the problem.
Make Sure You Know What Is Causing the Damp
A damp patch does not automatically mean rising damp. Different moisture problems can show up in similar ways, so it is worth being clear about the cause before choosing a treatment.
If DPC injection is the right approach, you can then plan the repair around it. This matters particularly during a larger refurbishment, where remedial work may need to happen before you move on to decorating, flooring or fitting new skirting.
We would always rather see the cause dealt with first than have you finish a room only to discover that more work is needed afterwards.
What Does a DPC Injection Kit Actually Do?
A DPC injection kit is specialist equipment used during a damp-proof course injection job. The injector forms part of the process used to introduce the relevant damp-proofing treatment into the wall.
The exact method depends on the system being used, so measurements, drilling requirements and quantities should not be guessed.
Our current hire range includes a DPC Injector, with hire periods available from one to seven days.
Before starting, read through the instructions for the treatment system and the equipment you are using. Knowing how the job needs to be carried out before the hire begins will save you working it out while the equipment is already with you.
When Does DPC Injection Kit Hire Make Sense?
Some tools are worth owning because you use them all the time. A DPC injector is different for most people. You might need one for a particular repair and then not need it again for years.
Hiring can make sense if you are:
- Renovating a house where damp treatment forms part of the work.
- Preparing a rental property for refurbishment.
- Carrying out remedial work on a development.
- Working through repairs as part of a wider renovation.
- A tradesperson who only needs this type of equipment occasionally.
For a one-off or occasional job, hiring means you can use the specialist equipment when you need it and return it afterwards, rather than finding somewhere to store a machine that may spend most of its time unused.
Plan the Job Before the Hire Starts
One of the easiest ways to waste a hire period is to arrange the equipment before the area is ready. If the first day is spent moving furniture, clearing the wall or looking for other tools, the injector is sitting unused while the hire time is already running.
Before it arrives, make sure the working area is accessible and think through the full job, not just the injection stage.
A simple order of work can help:
- Clear and prepare the area.
- Check you have the tools needed for preparation.
- Carry out the DPC injection.
- Complete any remaining remedial work.
- Move on to finishing and decorating.
Planning the work in this order helps you use the hire period for the job itself rather than preparation that could have been completed beforehand.
What Should You Check Before Starting DPC Injection Work?
Once the general preparation is sorted, there are a few more job-specific points worth checking.
Confirm the treatment is right for the problem
Make sure DPC injection forms part of the treatment you actually need. If you are still uncertain about the cause of the damp, resolve that before starting work.
Check you can reach the full treatment area
Do not look only at the first section of the wall. Make sure you will have suitable access along the whole area you need to work on. Discovering halfway through that part of the wall is difficult to reach can quickly disrupt the job.
Read the relevant instructions
Different damp-proofing systems can have different requirements. Use the instructions for the treatment and equipment you are working with rather than relying on measurements or methods taken from another product or previous job.
How Is a DPC Injection Kit Used?
The exact process varies depending on the treatment system, but you will generally be dealing with wall preparation, drilling and the injection itself.
Prepare the wall
Prepare the wall and working area according to the requirements of the treatment system before you begin.
Follow the drilling requirements for the system
The wall will need to be drilled according to the treatment being used. Do not guess positions, depths or spacing. Check the instructions for the particular system and equipment you have in front of you.
Carry out the injection
Once the preparation is complete, use the DPC injector as directed for the treatment system. There is no benefit in rushing this stage simply because the equipment is hired. The preparation you carried out beforehand should give you the time to work through the job properly.
Complete the remaining repair work
The injection may not be the last job needed in the room. Depending on the work being carried out, there may still be remedial or finishing stages before you are ready to decorate or put the area back into normal use.
What Other Equipment Might You Need?
The injector may be the specialist part of the project, but it may not be the only tool involved. Depending on the work, you could also need equipment for drilling, preparation, access or other parts of the refurbishment.
It helps to work through the job and ask:
- What needs clearing or removing?
- What needs drilling or preparing?
- What equipment is required for the injection?
- Are there tools you only need for one particular stage?
- Which tools do you already have?
Our hire range covers equipment for domestic, commercial and trade projects, so if damp treatment is only one part of a larger refurbishment, you can organise the equipment around the wider job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Treating Rising Damp
DPC injection is specialist work, but problems can often start with simple decisions made before the injector is even switched on.
Assuming the same method applies to every system
Something that worked on a previous job should not automatically be treated as the correct approach for this one. Different treatment systems can have different requirements, so use the instructions that apply to the product and equipment you are actually using.
Overlooking part of the wall before work begins
Make sure you have looked at the entire area being treated rather than only the most obvious damp patch. Access, existing fittings and other work taking place nearby can all affect how smoothly the job progresses.
Trying to squeeze the work into an unrealistic hire period
It can be tempting to choose the shortest possible hire simply to reduce the cost. That only makes sense when the amount of work and your preparation realistically fit the time available. Rushing specialist work because the return time is approaching rarely makes the job easier.
Moving on to decorating too quickly
It is understandable to want the room looking finished again, particularly if damp has interrupted a renovation. But DPC injection may form only one part of the wider remedial work. Make sure the necessary stages of the repair have been completed before treating the room as finished.
Need a DPC Injector for Your Project?
We supply equipment for domestic, commercial and trade projects, including a DPC Injector for this type of specialist work.
Our current DPC Injector hire options run from one to seven days, giving you flexibility to choose a hire period that suits the work you have planned.
We also have a wider range of equipment for drilling, preparation and renovation work. If your damp treatment is part of a bigger refurbishment, speak to us and our team will be happy to talk through the equipment with you.
FAQ
What is the difference between a DPC injector and a drill?
They perform different jobs. A drill is used for the drilling stage required by the treatment system, while the DPC injector is specialist equipment used during the injection stage. Check the requirements of the system you are using before choosing the equipment for the job.
How long can I hire a DPC injector for?
Our current DPC Injector hire options range from one to seven days. Choose the period around the amount of injection work you need to complete rather than the length of the entire renovation.
Can I hire other equipment at the same time?
Yes, you can look at other equipment from our hire range if your project also involves drilling, preparation or wider renovation work. Planning the tools together can be useful when several stages of the job need different equipment.
What should I check when I collect the injector?
Make sure you understand how the hired equipment operates and ask us about anything you are unsure of before starting. You should also have the instructions for the treatment system you plan to use so you are clear about the requirements of the job.
What should I do if I need the equipment for longer than planned?
If the job changes and you think you will need the injector beyond the agreed hire period, contact us as soon as possible to discuss the hire arrangements rather than assuming the equipment can simply be kept for longer.