IN the winter damp often becomes more noticeable in our homes.

Coming on the back of one of the wettest summers on record, it's no surprise that many homeowners are becoming more aware of damp.

And while everyone knows the benefits of damp-proofing, people tend to be put off by the thought of the mess of the replastering which is usually needed after the installation of a new damp proof course.

This is where Holland Damp Proofing comes in.

For almost eight years, the company has been installing an eco-friendly Dutch-devised system - hence the business' name.

This system damp-proofs your house from the outside, and as well as doing away with the need for messy re-plastering, is chemical-free.

The treatment can be carried out on a terraced house for as little as £1,200.

It is a worthwhile investment for any householder, as unlike other systems, it will not need doing again, and there are no extra replastering and redecorating costs.

First introduced in the UK in 1997, the system tackles problems such as rising damp, condensation, penetrating damp and mould, and is suitable for most types of walls.

It is approved for use by a number of big housing associations and local councils, including Sefton Council and Solihull Housing Association.

The system is also approved by major building societies and mortgage companies.

It works by the installation of damp-inhibiting bricks, which are fitted into specially prepared niches in your house's outside walls. Air from outside the house is allowed to flow into the system's air chambers and out again. As it passes through the inside of the wall, this air causes moisture to evaporate, and so dries out the entire wall.

Damp-proofing expert Evert de Graaf, managing director of Holland Damp Proofing, said: "It's completely different from other methods used in the UK, because we do not use chemical injections or waterproof coatings to simply contain the damp. Our system removes the damp completely.

"Traditional methods, such as chemically-injected damp courses, tend to break up after a period of time, but our solution is permanent."

For your peace of mind Holland Damp Proofing is a registered member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen.

Since introducing the system in this country, it has installed it into thousands of properties, ranging from barn conversions to terraces, and from major commercial buildings to manor houses.

This successful company won a small business of the year award in 2005, and last year the Federation of Small Businesses honoured it with an innovation award, and Evert de Graaf came a close second in the federation's business person of the year award scheme.

For more information contact Holland Damp Proofing on 0808 155 2571 or visit www.hollanddampp

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