The best damp seal paint – The presence of water and moisture in a building can lead to damp. This mouldy problem can have a negative impact on your property, leading to discoloured walls and even causing structural damage.
Damp can also affect your health, and has been linked to respiratory issues, such as asthma. A damp building is a hazard in more ways than one, so how do you guard against the problem?
You could consider damp proof paint, which is designed to cover signs of damp and act as a barrier against excessive moisture. There are various brands available to buy.
Not sure where to start? Not to worry, we’ve put together this handy guide to the 5 best damp seal paints in the UK.
Our Top 5 Best Damp Seal Paint Currently On The Market
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Take a look at our top 5 picks to see which brand offers the best performance and value for money.
#1: Thompson TDS25L 2.5L Damp Seal
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Features:
- Covers approx. 5 m2 per litre
- Can be applied straight to dry or damp ceilings and walls.
- Forms a breathable membrane designed to seal moisture
- Micro-porous formula causes moisture to evaporate
- Does not cause paint to flake or wallpaper to peel
- One coat is all that’s needed to do the job
- Dries in 2-3 hours and ready to paint over in approximately 4 hours.
Anything You Should Know?
- This product is flammable
- May cause dizziness, skin and eye irritation and dry skin.
- You can apply with a brush, but a roller might prove to be quicker and easier.
- Paint is quite thick so might take some time to apply smoothly.
#2: Polycell Damp Seal
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Features:
- Covers and seals damp patches on walls and ceilings
- Works with just one coat
- Matt white finish
- No need for primer – just use it straight from the tin.
Anything You Should Know?
- This product is flammable
- May cause dizziness, skin and eye irritation and respiratory issues
- The paint is very thick (almost glue like in texture)
- Very strong-scented product so make sure you ventilate the area well
#3: Polar Anti Damp Paint
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Features:
- Available in white or magnolia
- Made in Great Britain
- Apply directly for an instant barrier against penetrating damp
- Use on interior walls, windows, door frames, or in the garage
- Unique solvent based pliolite resin matt coating
- Cover and seal walls with just one coat
- Covers 4 m2 per litre
- Can be used as a damp-proof primer (before painting with a colour of your choice) or as a topcoat
Anything You Should Know?
- Paint works best when applied to unpainted masonry surfaces
- Can be applied to previously painted surfaces, but remove old paint first if you can
- Toxic to aquatic creatures
- This product may cause respiratory issues, dizziness, skin / eye irritation, and dry skin.
#4: Ronseal One Coat Damp Seal
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Features:
- White in colour
- As the name suggests, this paint provides cover in just one coat
- Made by reputable company Ronseal
- Acts as a permanent barrier
- Encourages moisture to evaporate
- Causes no damage to walls or surfaces
- Also works as a primer and can be painted / papered over when dry
Anything You Should Know?
- This product is flammable
- May cause dizziness and skin irritation.
#5: Rustins DAMS250 1-Coat Damp Seal
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Features:
- Can be used as a primer before being painted or wallpapered over
- Apply paint directly to dry or damp walls
- Facilitates the evaporation of moisture
- Prevents flaking paint and peeling wallpaper
- Dries quickly
- Described as high-performance interior paint
- Permanently covers damp and stains on walls and ceilings
Anything You Should Know?
- This product is flammable
- May cause skin irritation
- Can be harmful to unborn children
- Prolonged exposure can cause health problems e.g. organ damage
- Strong-smelling product so make sure you ventilate treated areas well
Which Is The Best Damp Seal Paint For You?
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.
So how will you choose the best damp seal paint for you?
We suggest you consider what each paint has to offer.Thompson TDS25L Damp Seal comes in a large tub, can be applied straight to dry or damp ceilings and walls and provides great one-coat coverage. Similarly, Polycell damp seal paint can also be used straight from the tin.
Polar Anti Damp Paint is a versatile product that can be used on plaster, cement, concrete and brick. We also have Ronseal One Coat Damp Seal in the running, made by a reputable company and proclaiming to cover without causing damage to walls or surfaces.
Finally, there’s Rustins 1-Coat Damp Seal which dries quickly and is described as a permanent barrier against damp.
Whist each damp seal paint claims to provide the same comprehensive coverage and act as a durable barrier against moisture, not all damp seal paints are equal!
Check out the prices, reputation of the manufacturer and the size of the tin to make sure you are getting the best deal for your money.
How Does Damp Seal Paint Work?
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.
In order to maximise the effectiveness of your damp seal paint you should carefully follow the instructions provided, which usually look something like this:
- Clean the area thoroughly. Use a moist cloth or sponge and methodically wipe the area removing existing damp patches, stains, dust and dirt from walls and ceilings. Clean again if necessary, with another clean cloth and then allow the area to dry completely.
- Paint on your damp seal paint with a brush or roller. This needs to be done carefully – don’t rush. Follow all safety precautions, ventilate the room and keep children and pets out of harm’s way.
Make sure the paint is applied smoothly and allow to dry. If you are using a one-coat paint this should do the trick. However, you can apply a second coat if you feel the wall or ceiling needs it. - Redecorate. Are you painting or papering over the top of your damp seal paint? If so now’s the time to get out your regular paint or pretty-patterned wallpaper and get decorating!
How Long Does Damp Proof Paint Last?
Many manufacturers define their damp-proof paint as long-lasting, but the results can vary, depending on the type and severity of damp you are trying to deal with.
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.
You will have to tackle the problem at source before you slap on the paint, and you do need to make sure you do the job properly. Think about the wall or ceiling you are applying it to – if it’s not clean and you haven’t attempted to remove damp stains etc how can you expect the paint to work for a lengthy time?
Can You Paint Over Damp Seal?
Damp seal paint often comes in white (or maybe magnolia), but if that doesn’t suit your room you will probably want to paint over it – that’s fine! Once your damp seal is dry you can choose any colour you wish, you can even wallpaper over it if you like!
Does Damp Seal Paint Stop Mould?
One coat damp seal paint has been formulated to seal damp patches on ceilings and walls, and as they name implies – it’d designed to do it in just one coat. If you follow the instructions and prep your walls correctly before-hand, damp seal paint should reduce the risk of damp reoccurring.
Another option if your mould is caused by condensation is to install insulating wallpaper. This helps keep the surface of the wall warmer to prevent condensation forming. Since mould needs moisture to form, the lining paper helps keep mould away. It can also be painted over.
We used this type of lining paper in one of our rooms to great effect. You can see the results we had in our wallrock thermal lining paper review.
How Long Does It Take Damp Seal Paint To Dry Out?
This can vary from brand to brand. Some can dry in as little as 2-3 hours and be ready to paint or paper over in approximately 4 hours. The one coat paint should do as it says on the tin (one coat should be enough), but in certain cases you might prefer to apply an additional coat.
How Do You Seal Damp Before Painting?
If you are using one of our chosen 5 best damp seal paints, you don’t need to worry about sealing your damp before painting.
Simply resolve the cause of damp, clean up the affected area, then paint over with your chosen damp paint.
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?
In short, no. PVA is not an adequate treatment for a damp wall.
While PVA will offer some form of protection from damp, it will not totally seal a wall for long-term protection.
Your best solution is to choose one of the best damp seal paints and treat the area properly, after first fixing whatever is causing the damp in the first place!
Does Damp Proof Paint Really Work?
There’s been some debate as to the effectiveness of damp seal paint, so let’s try and clarify. In a nutshell, damp seal paint does work when it’s used in the correct way and for the correct purpose.
There’s no point slapping on damp seal paint and expecting it to solve all your troubles! Damp seal may stop damp from damaging your decor but you still need to identify the root cause of the problem. If you have a serious issue, such as rising damp, simply washing down walls and repainting won’t put everything right.
Rising damp is more than just a touch of mildew or mould, it’s indicative of an underlying condition that will reoccur unless moisture is prevented from rising and entering the walls.
However, for less severe cases of damp, this type of paint seems to be a popular remedy. Reviews indicate that damp proof paint is relatively easy to use, and the majority of people who have used it seem happy with the results. Here’s what people have to say:
“Had some trouble re damp that just wouldn’t dry out, applied this and found the damp reduced to reasonable levels on damp meter, we were then able to overcoat this and have been fine since. (3 months). Very good product.”
Verified Amazon Review
“Works very well and holds in the damp extremely well. Just ensure that you repair the cause of the problem first.”
Verified Amazon Review
“Having an old cottage where the weather sneaks in wherever it can, I found a coat of this Damp Seal really helped. You can put it on new plaster or over emulsion. I found 2 coats by roller was better and quicker than 1 by brush.It may be a bit pricey but well worth it.”
Verified Amazon Review
The Tell-Tale Signs That You Have Damp
If you’re worried you might have a damp problem it’s worth giving your place a once over. Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:
Walls
Check your walls for damp by placing your hand flat against it. Damp walls tend to feel moist and very cold. You might also notice speckled dark marks or even small growths protruding from the wall, which can also be a sign of damp. Peeling wallpaper and flaking paint can also indicate a problem.
Ceilings
Look out for discoloured or stained areas forming – particular hot spots include chimney breasts and the corners of the room.
Windows
Are your windows wet with condensation or are puddles forming on your sills? This could be sign of excess moisture – as can black speckles on your window frames.
Rooms
A musty smell can indicate the presence of damp. Look at grouting and seals, if they are noticeably black you might have a problem. Check inside cupboards too for stains.
Mould can also grow on blinds and curtains, and don’t forget to check behind the sofa! Damp can creep into all sorts of places.
The Best Damp Seal Paint In The UK
