How to Fix Different Damp Problems
Any building can suffer from moisture. What you might not know is that there’s no such thing as ‘a’ or ‘the’ damp problem. Rising damp problems, penetrating damp and condensation all fall under the damp umbrella but they all need different treatment for you to have a chance of getting rid of them.
Before we go any further, it’s important that there’s no confusion with the phrase, ‘damp proof course’. Its funny name causes many people to mistake it for a builder’s course! It’s actually the name for the slate or plastic damp proofing material which rests between your bricks. As damp proofing goes, it’s in good favour as it forms a barrier preventing your damp from rising.
Before any damp problems can be treated, you’ll need to work out which type your home is suffering from.
Identifying your damp problem
Rising damp
The clue is in the name for this baddie. Starting below your flooring, the damp will begin to spread upwards, leaving patches as it climbs your walls. It could be that you have a faulty pipe near the bottom of your wall which is causing water to collect. In most cases though, your damp proof course is to blame, or lack of one! Your builder may recommend a chemical injection into your flooring, just above ground level as a booster to your old damp course.
Penetrating damp
All sorts of home disasters could be to blame. Your roof tiles could be loose or your windows might not have been fitted correctly. Tell tale signs are fungi on your walls and a case of crumbling plaster. If you have a cellar, you could need what’s known as cementitous tanking – a cement sealant treatment which stops damp from making the outside to inside switch. If you don’t own a cellar, new guttering could make your home as good as new – it all depends on how the water is entering your home.
Image Source: Yorkshire Dampcourse
Condensation
Last but not least, we have condensation, caused by poor ventilation. The most common damp problem of them all! This one’s the easiest to spot. Look out for mould, most commonly in wet areas like the bathroom and be aware of ceilings and corners close to water, which don’t see much sunlight. Ventilation problems can also attack tightly fitted laminated flooring which can lead to dry rot. You may just need extra vents or extractor fans but in other cases, cavity wall insulation can work wonders.
Need help identifying your damp problem? Or just need professional help to fix it? Whatever stage you’re at, find a builder to help rescue your home from moisture.
Water not draining away probably an damp coming into corner of ground floor also equivalent area in cellar
Hi Jane,
Please post your job on our main site, RatedPeople.com, and our tradesmen members will be able to take a look at your damp problem. When you post a job, up to three tradesmen will be able to get in touch and provide you with a quote. Have a look at their profile pages and read their previous customer reviews, also check if they have any qualifications (should that apply).
Best of luck!
Kind regards,
Emmeline
Wishing to buy a property. Been identified with damp. Would appreciate if you could visit the property and provide a report. Thanks.
Hi Umesh,
I would suggest posting your job on our main website (www.ratedpeople.com), under ‘specialist tradesman’ and then ‘damp proofing specialist’ for the job type. Best of luck fixing your damp problem!
I would be grateful if I could get a quote for possible rising damp in a ground floor flat in london
Hi Shireen,
If you head to our homepage at http://www.ratedpeople.com, you’ll be able to post your job for a damp proof specialist to help. We have ‘damp proofing’ available under ‘Specialist Tradesman’. We will prompt you to say whether you’re just looking for a quote or want to go through with the job etc during the posting process. After that, up to three tradespeople will be able to contact you to quote and we send you their profile pages via email to help you decide who to hire.
Thanks,
Natalie
Is there an easy way to tell if damp in a property is caused by tenant not making an effort to maintain good ventilation or if it’s a problem with the building?
Hi Jeff, you’d want to post this as a question for our registered trade experts at http://www.ratedpeople.com/diy-advice
Thanks,
Natalie
Really an informative article about the different damp and its solutions. Keep posting such informative blogs. Thank you.