Damp in your home can only mean one thing- your walls (interior or exterior), ceilings, and flooring is being attacked by excess moisture. There are three main types of damp, with condensation being the leading cause of damp in our homes. Condensation is usually a result of warm, humid air making contact with cold solid surfaces such as; walls, ceilings or floors. Essentially damp is a result of;
a) Moisture being unable to escape because of poor ventilation or heating and
b) Water entering your property.
If left unresolved, damp issues can pose a health risk. This is because humid environments create favourable conditions for mould (a form of microscopic fungi), which causes a number of respiratory infections and allergies like allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and asthma. In addition to health risks, damp can also cause serious structural damage to your property so it is important to know how to spot and eliminate it at its early stages.
Identifying and eliminating the various types of damp
Rising damp
This usually occurs as a result of the upward capillary movement of groundwater or moisture through the walls, floors and ceilings of a building. The absence of a Damp Proof Course (DPC) or good drainage system can also result in rising damp. Some of the telltale signs of rising damp include;
- Tide marks and damp stains on the wall
- The presence of salts within the plaster
- Wet patches appearing on the walls and ceilings
- Paint and plaster peeling
- Crumbling bricks and mortar
- Rotting skirting boards
- A distinct damp and musty smell
- Bubbling or flaky plaster and
- Presences of black mould
Getting rid of rising damp: the first step is to hire a damp specialist to carry out an extensive damp survey of your property. This confirms whether or not the damp issue you have is really rising damp. The specialist will also determine what the underlying causes are and recommend an effective solution. The solution could be to install a Damp Proof Membrane to repair and reinforce your existing DPC or to install an entirely new DPC. Issues with drainage systems should also be resolved immediately.
Penetrating damp
Penetration damp happens when outdoor water finds its way into your property. Some of its common causes are; structural problems like cracks on the floor, walls, missing roof tiles, broken brick-work and faulty roofing. Common signs of penetrating damp include;
- Damp stains and patches on ceilings, internal and external walls
- Black mould and spores isolated to a particular area
- Crumbling and wet plaster
- Damaged brickwork
Getting rid of penetrating damp: after a damp survey is carried out by a damp specialist and the underlying cause of the penetrating damp is determined, any structural issues with drainage, guttering and plumbing should be resolved as quickly as possible.
Condensation
Seemingly innocent and basic day-to-day household tasks like cooking, showering or drying damp clothing can lead to condensation without adequate ventilation. Some of the signs of condensation are; streaming windows, mould growth, musty smells, peeling wallpaper and damp patches on the wall.
Getting rid of condensation: an adequate ventilation and heating system is the best way to get rid of a condensation problem.
Conclusion
Knowing how to identify and eliminate damp problems from your home should be your top priority as a homeowner. It helps you prevent any structural damage or health risk that can result from unresolved damp problems. Ensure to hire a London damp specialist to survey your property to determine the underlying causes of the damp and help you proffer effective solutions to get rid of it.
