Damp may sound a simple and regular thing, but if it is left untreated it can cause serious damage to your property and health. Damp is described as a presence of unwanted moisture in your building’s structure. Damp walls could be a result of condensation within the building itself or an invasion from the outside building.
As several reasons could cause it, and in various ways, no two cases can be exactly the same. There are different types of damp, and many different solutions to handle them. However, finding the right cause and getting the right damp proofing treatment is of great importance.
Are you interested in knowing the different types of damp and their solutions? If yes, then continue reading this article, and you’ll get to know about them.
Causes of Damp In Properties
The trapping of moisture is the main issue that can cause dampness in the property. Now the question is, why this moisture cannot evaporate? Well, there are multiple reasons. Let’s discuss some common causes:
- Old Plumbing pipes are the most common reason when they are not maintained for a long period. In rare cases, newly fitted pipes can also leak and let the moisture trapped in the property. Household maintenance is essential to avoid such issues
- Another major reason is breakage and blockage of gutters
- Sometimes broken external windows can become the reason for damp
- Damages downpipes can also cause damping
- Proper ventilation in the room is also essential in basements to avoid damp
- Damages roofing or missing tiles let the moisture trapped in the roof
- Poor ventilation in kitchens and washrooms
Ventilation can overcome this issue, so it is essential to pay attention to this factor while constructing your property and preventing it from damping. It is essential to check your property at regular intervals even if you never faced damping problems in it. Rainy seasons need more attention as the moisture gets trapped in the property when moisture is in the air. This can help you keep your home dry and save your money, which needs to be spent on general maintenance.
If you cannot check your place regularly due to your busy schedule or large area of the property, hire a damping professional to avoid any inconvenience. They know the root cause and provide you an effective solution.
Types of Damp and Its Treatment
There are two most common types of damp, which are Rising damp and penetrating damp. Condensation is another type, but it is not considered an official type; however, if condensation is not treated on time, It can damage your home.
Penetrating Damp
In this damp, moisture enters the property through external walls and reaches the internal walls, which can cause damp patches. The damp patches grow horizontally.
Cornices and coving are prepared with timber; when moisture enters the timber material, it can become saturated and start destroying the colour.
In the rainy season, moisture accommodates in internal walls, and damp patches started appearing to be the major sign of penetrating damp. The penetrating damp can be dangerous and can cause structural timber decay, Dry Rot, and wet rot.
The good news is, you don’t need a huge amount of money to get penetrating damp repair. Sometimes, the problem can be solved by repairing your damaged downpipes fixing an external brick.
How to Treat Penetrating Damp?
The first thing you have to do is to take care of all moisture sources. Then let all your walls dry. You can keep your property warm to get rid of that moisture. If you don’t know how to remove moisture, hire a professional.
If the penetrating damp is left untreated for a long period, it can require expensive repairing solutions. So, manage this issue before it gets too late. When you see the dampness in a top corner, its cause would be condensation or penetrating dampness.
Rising Damp
As you know, penetrating damp spreads horizontally; rising damp is quite the opposite, and it spreads vertically throughout the surface and then moves towards the walls up. In severe cases, it can reach out to the ceiling. This problem arises when the damp proof course (DPC) gets damaged.
DPC is a kind of waterproofing which is used to protect property from moisture. Different materials can be used in its manufacturing, such as lead-lined bitumen sheets or slate.
Damaged floorboards and skirting boards, peeling off wallpaper and paint, or salt-stained are rising damp symptoms. A tide mark can also appear on the surface of the wall.
How to treat rising damp?
The first thing you have to do is make sure your damp proof coursing is working properly; if not, it means you have to replace it first. If you are not an expert, you should call a professional, and he will do his job very well.
Condensation
This is the most common cause of damp. It can be caused by condensing moisture on windows or other cool surfaces of the room. This problem is more common in areas where there is a difference in homes and outside temperature.
This issue can be seen more frequently in winters. The cool air outside the home decreases the temperature near windows than the entire room. When the moist air strikes the windows, it can cause condensation.
When we keep our doors closed on winter nights, moisture becomes trapped in windows. This problem can be minimized by proper ventilation. If you do not have ventilation, check your walls and roofs regularly.
Major symptoms of condensation
If you notice an unpleasant smell in the room and see water drops on walls near your external window, it means you are going to face a damp problem soon. It should be treated as soon as possible as it destroys the paint and promotes mold, which can destroy your health.
How to get rid of condensation?
The best solution is to equalise your home’s external and internal temperature, which is possible in some regions. It is crucial to remove the trapped moisture if you really want to get rid of this issue. Dehumidifiers are specifically designed to remove moist air. So, if you want to remove moisture effectively, get a dehumidifier; if you can’t afford it, you should hire a damp professional. A little investment can save your property from heavy damage.
It is recommended to dry your clothes outside the home. Before using a tumble dryer, open all doors.
Proper ventilation can give you peace of mind and can protect your property from damage. Small maintenance is also essential to avoid a big loss. Fix your plumbing if you find any leakage.
If you are facing any of the above mentioned damp problems and looking for professional advice. You should contact a specialist who will survey your property and come to a solution to treat your damp related problems.
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