The North Shore is one of Sydney's oldest and leafiest residential belts — grand Federation homes, Californian bungalows and interwar brick on steep, heavily treed sandstone and clay-shale blocks. Deep shade keeps the ground damp, subfloors stay moist with little airflow, and original damp-proof courses have long since broken down. The result is rising damp, lateral damp on sloping sites and persistent subfloor moisture.
On sloping, shaded blocks the cause is often a mix of a failed course, water running toward the house and a wet subfloor. We confirm the real source first, then treat with DPC injection, drainage or subfloor ventilation and finish in a breathable, salt-resistant render so the repair lasts.
The North Shore's Federation homes and bungalows sit on shaded, sloping sandstone and clay where the ground holds moisture and original damp-proof courses have aged. Moisture rises through the brick leaving salts that blister paint and blow plaster, while shaded, poorly ventilated subfloors keep the lower walls and air persistently musty if left untreated.
The North Shore's shaded, sloping blocks keep subfloors cool and damp. We install subfloor ventilation to move the moist air out and keep the underfloor dry.
On these older Federation and brick homes our damp-proof course injection stops moisture rising through the walls at its source.
We strip salt-damaged render and re-coat with a breathable salt-resistant plaster system so the finish lasts.
Deep shade and poor airflow feed mould here; our mould removal clears it and fixes the moisture behind it.
For below-ground walls and wet areas we waterproof and tank the surface to stop water getting in.
Book a free on-site inspection and we'll diagnose the cause and quote a fixed price.
The North Shore is full of Federation homes and bungalows on shaded, sloping sandstone and clay-shale blocks. Heavy tree cover keeps the ground damp, subfloors stay moist and aged damp-proof courses let moisture rise, so rising damp and mould are common from Mosman and Lane Cove to Gordon and Wahroonga.
All of them — across the Lower and Upper North Shore, including Mosman, Chatswood, Lane Cove, Lindfield, Killara, Roseville, Gordon, Pymble, Wahroonga, Crows Nest, Neutral Bay and St Ives. If your suburb isn't listed, call us; we cover the whole region.
Often, yes. On the North Shore's sloping blocks moisture can push laterally through an uphill wall and sit in a shaded subfloor as well as rise from the ground. We work out which is happening and may combine a damp-proof course with drainage and subfloor ventilation so the wall actually stays dry.