Understanding damp issues in homes: causes and solutions
We all have the right to a warm and secure home. Yet, according to government statistics, damp and mould exists in up to 27% of UK properties. Not only can it put the condition and value of your property at risk, but it can also play havoc with your health.
If you’re a property owner or tenant with damp or mould in your living space, here’s what might be causing the issues – and how it can be rectified with the right professional care and treatment.
What are different types of damp?
Damp is a consequence of moisture entering your property, and not finding a way out. It can affect a range of property types, causing damage to walls, floors and foundations as well as furnishings and belongings such as clothes, carpets and curtains. Here are five types of damp found in UK properties.
Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is caused by water finding a way into your property through defects in walls, windows, roofs and floors.
Condensation damp
Condensation damp is the most common form of damp caused by moisture inside your property cooling and settling onto cold surfaces.
Rising damp
As the name suggests, rising damp is moisture that rises through parts of your building in contact with the ground such as walls and floors.
Traumatic damp
Traumatic damp is caused by leaking water inside your property, typically from a burst pipe, overflowing sink, or defect water storage vessel.
Mould
Mould is a harmful fungus which can spread in moist environments often with a lack of airflow.
Managing mould and damp in your property
The first step to managing mould and damp is to find the cause. With condensation damp, for example, you should identify where moisture is coming from and the number of routes it has to escape. For example, a shower room with no windows or poor extraction invites condensation to settle on cold surfaces which, over time, will form into a fungus.
There is no cure for condensation – it’s a substance produced by every property in the UK. But there are some simple actions you can take to reduce the likelihood of moisture settling on your surfaces.
- Replace wet air with dry air by allowing proper ventilation (e.g. windows, extractor units)
- Raise the temperature of cold surfaces (e.g. underfloor heating)
- Raise the temperature of the air
By maintaining a habit of opening windows or using your heating wisely to counteract the impact of condensation, the harder it becomes for mould to spread in your property.
How to treat rising damp
Before you treat rising damp, it’s essential to get an accurate diagnosis from a qualified professional such as a surveyor. You’ll get clarity on the cause of damp as well as expert guidance on the right type of remedial work.
In most instances, rising damp is caused by a failed, broken or missing Damp Proof Course (DPC). It means moisture can penetrate property materials in contact with the ground, and slowly rise to damage internal and external walls – often without you noticing until it’s too late.
Remedial work to prevent rising damp can be extensive and will often involve replacing the damp course with a new membrane, DPC injection or both. It’s also the case damaged external and internal materials will need replacing once the new DPC has been installed, which varies in fees from one property to the next.
Get in touch
If you’re experiencing damp or mould in your property and need an expert diagnosis, get in touch with our team today. We can advise on the right treatment and project manage the remedial work for you.
