For rising dampness, cementitious water impermeable slurry applied directly to plaster acts as a barrier between the plaster and subsequent topcoat. Common symptoms of rising damp are blistering paint that eventually turns into a chalky layer. Although alkali and fungus resistant primer is a suitable preparation coat on new plaster and chalky previously painted surfaces, it must be used in conjunction with a moisture/water inhibiting preparation coat.

Random spider-web cracks normally forms on walls that are exposed to rainfall and sunlight – on surfaces that were not applied a preparation coat with a fibre-reinforced waterproofer. Industrial exterior paint can necessitate the penetration of water in liquid form (become wet) but when the water sips into the surface and become moisture, this is when the moisture starts to badly affect the paintwork.