When the weather’s wet and cold, it can be a misery in more ways than one.
Condensation from cooking, drying clothes indoors and steam from the bath or shower can become trapped. If you’re cursed with poor ventilation, your home could be prone to damp, leading to a host of health issues, mainly respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma.
Sometimes it isn’t as simple as opening a window (an unappealing prospect when temperatures start to hover around the freezing mark).
Damp proofing is an effective but costly option, with one wall alone costing around £300 to treat according to MyBuilder.com. If you need to do every wall in the house, you don’t have to be Rachel Riley to know it’s going to cost a small fortune.
However, there are preventative options to help shield your home against the scourge of damp.
What is damp-proof paint?
In the first instance, damp-proof paint can be used to guard against the issue on interior walls in wet-prone areas, acting as a barrier against water invasion.
They are available for interior walls as well as exterior to stop water seepage from rain and other climate moisture. Many damp-proof paints can be used as a primer, reinforcing your foundation before applying a second coat of your chosen colour.
What damp-proof paints are not are an alternative to pre-existing or underlying damp issues. If your walls are already developing damp, it’s best to seek professional advice.
We’ve found the best primer paints with damp-proofing benefits to strengthen your walls against the problem.
See the selection below
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Dulux Damp seal White Primer & undercoat
As one of the leading names in DIY, Dulux’s range of paints are some of the best around. The collection extends to damp sealing options like this 750ml tin, which also acts as a primer and undercoat to make your final colour really pop.
To use, completely rid your surface of any mould so you’ve got a clean surface. Stir well (no thinning required of the product) and then apply with a brush or roller and leave to dry fully for best results. Dulux warns the paint is "not a cure for damp, which should always be treated at source before applying, also not suitable for use against rising damp."
Buy now £20.00, B&Q
Polycell PLCDS500 Damp Seal, 500ml
One coat is all you need to seal your walls against damp with Polycell’s product.
Available in 500ml and 1l sizes, the long-lasting paint is made to cover interior walls and ceilings against the fungus. You can also get it in an aerosol version for spray application. Mix well and apply generously and leave to completely dry overnight before adding further coats of paint or wallpapering otherwise you may experience cracking.
Ensure skin and hair is completely covered before you start, and ventilate the area well before, during and after painting.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Johnstone’s Damp Matt Paint 750ml - White
This white base paint can be applied directly to damp surfaces and is made to guard against damp seeping through your final coat of paint or wallpaper. It has a strong initial smell, so just like with regular paint, ensure the room you are treating is well ventilated.
Buy now £10.50, Argos
Ronseal White - One Coat Anti-Damp Paint - 2.5L
No-nonsense brand Ronseal is famed for coining the phrase ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’ and it certainly comes up trumps with its One Coat Damp Seal. Available in white, apply one coat to clean walls and let fully dry before finishing with your desired paint colour or wallpaper.
Buy now £36.00, Homebase
Polar Damp Seal Anti Damp Paint
With each 500ml tin able to cover up to 4m2 of surfaces, Polar's damp-sealing paint offers plenty of bang for your buck. It's one of the few options that come in black and grey as well as ice white, giving you more options over your protective base paint. The formula contains a water reacting agent that works to repel H2O and prevent damp from pushing through. Best of all, the brand claims it dries in just 10 minutes, allowing you to push on with the rest of your renovation efforts.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Drybase Liquid Damp Proof Membrane
A universal tin that can be used on exterior as well as interior surfaces, Drybase's paint comes in 1L and 5L sizes. Use a roller, brush or spray to apply this two coat damp proof coating. The formula resists moisture and gases once fully cured to your chosen surface.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Landlords Anti Damp Paint
Available in more than 20 colours, this 2.5L tin of anti-damp paint offers a seal to prevent mildew build-up. It can be used on walls as well as ceilings, leaving behind a matte finish, so you can leave as is if you don't have a second colour to add on top.
Buy now £32.95, Amazon
