Discovery Science – Step 1 – Keep the Damp Out

Old houses tend to be damp because they have no ‘damp course’. Bricks absorb moisture from the ground and this moisture rises up the walls. In newer houses a layer of plastic (or other non-absorbent material) placed between the bricks near the ground stops the moisture rising. This is called a ‘damp course’. In this experiment, the junior room investigated what material would make the best damp course. The sheet of plastic proved to be the best!