Repair Systems — Rising Damp
Chemical DPC injection — silane cream
Technical product reference for silane-based cream chemical damp proof course injection for rising damp treatment in Australian masonry walls — covering product type classification, brand comparisons, system selection and BS 6576 compliance.
What are silane cream chemical DPC injection systems?
Chemical damp proof course (DPC) injection using silane-based cream is the most widely used method for treating rising damp in existing masonry walls in Australia. The process involves drilling horizontal holes at regular spacing into the mortar bed joint at low level, injecting silane cream product, and allowing the silane to cure and create a hydrophobic barrier across the full wall cross-section that blocks further capillary rise.
Silane cream products use n-butyltriethoxysilane or similar silane chemistry that reacts with the alkalinity present in the masonry, bonding to pore walls and lining them with a water-repelling surface. The cream consistency is a key advantage over liquid siloxane products — cream stays within the drilled hole during the curing period, making it practical for walls where drill holes cannot be pressure-sealed and ensuring the product remains at the correct position within the wall cross-section.
Chemical DPC injection is only one part of the complete rising damp remediation sequence. After injection, the old salt-contaminated plaster must be stripped, the masonry allowed to begin drying, and the wall replastered with salt-resistant renovation plaster (WTA system). Application of non-breathable materials before the wall has dried will trap moisture and cause plaster failure.
Do not confuse with:
- Siloxane liquid DPC injection — lower viscosity liquid product — different application method — see the siloxane liquid page
- Crystalline waterproofing slurries (Xypex, Penetron, Vandex) — positive or negative side waterproofing against hydrostatic pressure — not a chemical DPC for rising damp
- Surface-applied water repellents (Stormdry, Siloxane facade cream) — surface treatment only — does not create a barrier within the wall cross-section
- Cavity wall or physical DPC systems — mechanical, not chemical
- Electro-osmotic or electronic damp proofing systems — fundamentally different operating principle — confirm evidence base before specifying
Product Reference
3 products — 3 brands — silane cream chemical DPC injection — for porous and medium-density masonry substrates
System Description
Dryzone Damp-Proofing Cream by Safeguard Europe (distributed through Wykamol Australia) is the most widely specified silane-based cream chemical DPC injection product in Australia and internationally. The product is injected into pre-drilled 12mm diameter horizontal holes spaced at approximately 100–120mm centres along a mortar bed joint 75–150mm above floor level. The silane chemistry releases an active n-butyltriethoxysilane compound that reacts with the alkalinity of the masonry, bonding to pore walls and creating a hydrophobic damp-proof barrier across the full depth of the wall. The cream consistency keeps the product within the injection hole during curing — a key advantage over liquid siloxane injection products in walls with irregular pore structure, raked or open joints, or where holes cannot be pressure-sealed. No specialist pressure injection equipment is needed: the cream is applied with a standard 600ml or 800ml cartridge gun. This makes it practical for small-scale remediation works on strata and residential properties. A full DPC injection programme requires injection at the correct level, drilling at the correct spacing and depth, and mandatory follow-up with salt-resistant renovation plaster after the old plaster is stripped. Injection alone does not remediate the wall — old salt-contaminated plaster must be removed and replaced as part of the complete rising damp treatment sequence.
Technical Properties
- Silane chemistry (n-butyltriethoxysilane) — reacts with masonry alkalinity — creates hydrophobic pore lining across full wall depth
- Cream consistency — stays in hole during cure — no pressure injection equipment required — standard sealant gun application
- Deep penetration into porous masonry substrates including brick, sandstock brick, calcium silicate and soft sandstone
Limitations
- Not suitable for dense engineering brick, dense concrete or non-porous masonry — silane requires open pore structure to penetrate
- Replastering with salt-resistant renovation plaster is mandatory — DPC injection alone does not remove salt contamination in existing plaster
- Existing plaster must be stripped to 300mm above the visible salt tide mark before replastering — salt damage extends beyond visible staining
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Sika SikaMur InjectoCream-100 is Sika Australia's one-component silane cream chemical DPC injection product for the treatment of rising damp in masonry walls. The product is supplied in cartridges for application using a standard sealant gun, without requiring specialist pressure injection equipment. The silane chemistry penetrates into the pore structure of the masonry and creates a hydrophobic barrier across the wall cross-section when injected into pre-drilled holes at the mortar bed joint. Sika's backing is a significant advantage for specifiers and building managers on larger strata remediation projects — Sika Australia provides national technical support, accredited applicators, and system documentation to support project warranty and building compliance requirements. The product is available through Sika's national distribution network. As with all chemical DPC injection products, SikaMur InjectoCream-100 is one part of a complete rising damp remediation system. After injection, old salt-contaminated plaster must be stripped and replaced with salt-resistant renovation plaster. Confirm current product specification and application guide with Sika Australia before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Silane cream chemistry — one-component — cures through contact with masonry alkalinity
- No pressure injection equipment required — 600ml cartridge gun application
- Part of Sika's complete rising damp treatment system — Sika technical support and national distribution network
Limitations
- Not suitable for non-porous masonry or dense concrete substrates — silane penetration requires open pore structure
- Complete rising damp system: injection + plaster removal + salt-resistant renovation plaster — injection alone is insufficient
- Holes must be drilled at correct spacing, depth and level per Sika installation guide — incorrect drilling reduces efficacy
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Remmers Kiesol C is a concentrated silane/siloxane cream DPC injection product in Remmers' WTA-referenced rising damp treatment system. Remmers is a German manufacturer with a long track record in rising damp remediation and is well established in Australia through Remmers Australia. The Kiesol C cream product is part of the same chemistry family as Remmers Kiesol (liquid) — both are based on potassium methyl siliconate and siloxane chemistry that penetrates masonry and creates a hydrophobic barrier. Kiesol C is particularly suited to lower-porosity masonry and denser masonry substrates where cream products may offer improved retention in the drilled hole compared to standard silane-only creams. Remmers recommends using Kiesol C within a complete WTA-referenced renovation system, which includes Remmers renovation plasters (SP series) as the follow-on replastering product — the same manufacturer supplying both injection and replastering products provides a coordinated system with consistent technical documentation. Confirm current product availability, system documentation and technical support with Remmers Australia before specifying on a project.
Technical Properties
- Concentrated silane/siloxane chemistry — potassium methyl siliconate base — penetrates into masonry pore structure
- WTA-referenced system — Remmers DPC injection and renovation plaster products are designed to work together as a coordinated system
- Cream consistency — suitable for injection into dense and lower-porosity masonry substrates
Limitations
- Injection alone is insufficient — follow with Remmers SP renovation plasters — old salt-contaminated plaster must be stripped and replaced
- Walls must dry after treatment — confirm drying period requirements with Remmers technical before redecoration
- Confirm product porosity requirements — not suitable for injection into non-porous or dense concrete substrates
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Westox 50 Low Odour is a low-odour silane DPC injection cream for chemical damp proof course installation in brick, blockwork, and masonry substrates subject to rising damp. Low-odour formulations are particularly suited to occupied buildings where conventional silane cream DPC products may cause odour complaints during application. The Westox 50 Low Odour product is part of the Westox rising damp treatment range. Confirm current product technical data sheet, injection method, hole diameter, hole spacing, coverage, and full rising damp system design (injection + plaster + coating) with Westox technical before specifying. Do not rely on injection alone — salt-contaminated plaster must be stripped and replaced.
Technical Properties
- Low-odour silane DPC injection cream — suitable for use in occupied buildings where odour is a consideration
- Suitable for injection into brick, blockwork, and porous masonry substrates
- Confirm injection method, hole diameter, spacing, coverage, and full system design from current Westox 50 Low Odour TDS
Limitations
- Confirm current product formulation and system specifications with Westox technical before specifying
- Chemical DPC injection alone is insufficient — old salt-contaminated plaster must be stripped and replaced with compatible renovation plaster
- Not suitable for injection into dense concrete or low-porosity substrates — confirm substrate suitability with Westox
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Brand Equivalents
Silane cream DPC injection equivalents by substrate type. Confirm suitability for specific substrate porosity with manufacturer before specifying.
| System type | Safeguard / Wykamol | Sika | Remmers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silane cream — standard porosity brick and blockwork | Dryzone | SikaMur InjectoCream-100 | Kiesol C |
| Silane cream — lower / dense porosity masonry | Dryzone | SikaMur InjectoCream-100 | Kiesol C |
DPC injection without replastering is incomplete treatment — plaster failure will recur
- Chemical DPC injection creates a barrier to further capillary rise but does not remove salt contamination already present in the existing plaster
- Old plaster must be stripped to a minimum 300mm above the visible salt tide mark — salt damage in the plaster extends well beyond what is visible
- After injection and plaster removal, the wall must be replastered with WTA-compliant salt-resistant renovation plaster — standard cement or gypsum plaster will fail in the presence of residual rising damp salts
- No non-breathable surface finish (ceramic tile, vinyl, non-breathable paint) should be applied until the wall has fully dried — confirm drying period with building pathologist before redecoration
Confirm rising damp diagnosis before specifying injection — misdiagnosis is common
- Visual salt staining and wet plaster at low level can be caused by condensation, lateral moisture penetration, plumbing leaks or penetrating damp — not only rising damp
- A carbide moisture meter test or gravimetric moisture content test at multiple heights in the wall is needed to confirm a capillary moisture profile consistent with rising damp
- Chemical DPC injection applied to a wall with penetrating damp or a plumbing leak will not solve the problem — the correct moisture source must be identified first
- In some cases, rising damp may be driven by abnormally high external ground moisture levels — drainage remediation may be required alongside DPC injection
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Product selection must be confirmed against project requirements, substrate type and porosity, manufacturer technical data sheets, and applicable standards including BS 6576. Rising damp diagnosis should be confirmed by a qualified building pathologist before treatment. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional advice.