Signs of damp in your home?

Signs of damp within your home should always be taken seriously and you can seek professional advice on the best way of treating any damp problems or mitigating against them as far as possible.

Rising damp

Rising damp occurs when moisture travels from below ground level up through the walls of a building. It’s quite a common problem in older houses. If you live in one of these older properties, a new damp-proof course (DPC) can be inserted into the walls or injected into them, which should help improve the situation. However, this work will normally also require the need for widespread replastering works to make the damp-proofing fully effective.

Condensation

Older properties can also be prone to problems caused by condensation. Modern homes, which tend to be better insulated and usually have double glazing, are less likely to have condensation issues. In houses where condensation is a problem, you will see black mould or even water running down windows and walls. Left unchecked, it may damage paintwork and eventually rot any timbers within the property. It can cause mildew on walls and soft furnishings and may lead to wallpaper and paint starting to peel too.

Ventilation is key to reducing condensation

Ventilation is really important to reduce condensation. Maintain air flow through your house, even in winter, by keeping windows slightly open to make sure warmer air can escape, rather than condensing and turning to water. Turn your heating down too – it’s better to leave the heating on a low temperature, which can be increased as needed, rather than turning it off and on constantly. Ensure any ventilation bricks haven’t got blocked up. Use an extractor fan in your kitchen and bathroom. Even remembering to put lids on your saucepans while cooking will help (and will reduce your energy consumption too!). If you can, dry laundry outside, as hanging wet clothes up to dry inside will definitely make the air damper.

You may need to consider installing insulation and double glazing. These will not necessarily solve the problem as making a building entirely airtight may make the problem worse.

If you think your property is experiencing issues caused by condensation and dampness, then get in touch with one of our building surveyor experts, who will be happy to give you some advice on the options available.