Collaborative Post
Damp is a common problem in many UK homes due to our cold and wet climate. It can cause structural, aesthetic and health problems so it’s important to keep your home dry. However, damp is a solvable problem but it’s important to understand the type of damp you are dealing with so you can eradicate the problem without spending more money than you need to. There are Damp Proofing services in Stoke on Trent and nationwide. Read our handy guide about different types of damp and how to treat them:
Different Types of Damp in Houses
Condensation
Condensation is the most common cause of damp. It is caused by the moist warm air condensing on cool walls and windows. Rooms that generate a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens are more likely to get condensation damp. The problem is usually worse in the winter when walls are colder on the inside but can occur all year around.
People often turn up their central heating to prevent damp but this can make condensation damp worse. Rooms getting very warm and then cooling down again can create warm damp air that will then condense.
Double (and triple) glazing is common to keep modern warms home but they can reduce ventilation and make out homes less breathable. This means the damp air can’t escape from our homes and causes condensation.
Signs of Condensation Damp
Look out for condensation damp so you can eradicate the issue before it causes a problem. The signs of condensation include:
- Water droplets on windows and walls
- Dark mould on walls and around windows
- A “mouldy” smell
What to Do if you Spot Condensation Mould
Condensation can cause damage to paint and wallpaper. In more serious cases it can also damage window frames. As soon as you spot any water droplets wipe them away. Place dehumidifiers in the areas affected to reduce the humidity levels.
Get Condensation Treatment
It’s unlikely that a home in the UK will never need preventative or condensation treatments. If your problem persists then it’s time to call in professional help. Professionals, such as Dynamic Property Care offer a number of condensation solutions. You can take a look at their condensation treatment solutions below and select the one that best suits your needs:
- Insulated air bricks/vents (minimum of two to be installed)
- Fungicidal 3 stage chemical treatment of spot black mould (apergillus niger)- will never re-appear
- Manual/electric/sensor air vents for bathrooms & kitchens (largest moisture creators)
- Whole house ventilation systems for properties that have at least 50% of there rooms with a condensation problem( smoke/pet/stale food smells also eradicated)
Rising Damp
If you spot moisture or mould on the bottom of your walls your home is most likely suffering from rising damp. Rising damp is caused by ground water moving up through a wall or floor. It’s natural for floors to pick up a little bit of water but damage is usually prevented by means of a barrier, such as a damp- proof membrane.
Signs of Rising Damp in your Home
- Floor coverings lifting up
- Tide marks rising up the wall
- Damaged skirting board or plaster
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- A white, powder substance on wall (this is caused by soluble salts dissolved in the water)
Rising Damp Solutions
To prevent rising damp problems you need to call in a professional company who offer Damp Proofing services in Stafford or your area.
These are the solutions they offer:
Solution(s) for Rising Dampness In Walls:
1) Repair Old Damp Proof course (if one is present) i.e. slate/tile/bitumen/plastic
2) Inject new Chemical Damp Proof Course (most popular method)- damp proofing
3) Install Electro Osmosis ( an electric based system that includes wire and anodes inserted into the wall to divert rising dampness)
Solution(s) for Rising Dampness In floors:
1) Epoxy Floor Resin. Coating the floor in two coats of resin will allow the floor to breathe but no physical moisture to pass making your floor touch dry reducing damage to floor coverings e.g. Laminates or carpet.
2) Install a plastic floor membrane and use waterproof tape at edges.
3) Dig up old floor and relay a new concrete floor to current building regulations.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is caused by water leaking through the walls (or ceiling). When this damp expands it will move horizontally, rather than upwards as in the case of rising damp. It’s caused by a structural problem in a building, such as faulty guttering, roofing, cracks in the wall or broken plaster. It’s worse during heavy rainfall (unless caused by an internal problem such as a leaking bath).
Signs of Penetrating Damp
- Damp patches on walls or ceiling
- The patches worse in rain or during leak
- The moisture spreads horizontally
- Mould on walls or ceiling
Penetrating Damp Solutions
First spot and eliminate the problem then call in a company that offer Damp Proofing services in Crewe or your area.
These are the solutions they offer:
- Roofing and guttering needs to be in a perfect water tight condition- any issues here Dynamic can solve them.
- All cracks in brickwork/render (except hairline) need to be either patch repaired or completely redone- any issues here Dynamic can solve them.
- Frost damaged brick/stone work needs to be repaired by replacing or turning.- any issues here Dynamic can solve them.
- Absorbent/damaged mortar needs to be ground out if necessary- any issues here Dynamic can solve them.
Remember if you spot damp in your home, sort the problem immediately. This will save money in the long run and prevent any health problems caused by mould.
If your home, like many in the UK, is suffering from damp and mould I hope this post helps. Have you had damp problems in the past? How did you solve them?
I had damp in my 1st flat, I used the damp sealer paint which helped in the living room but the bedroom was really bad and my landlord put plaster boards up with sponges on to fix the problem but I moved out shorty after so dont know if it worked xx
Invaluable advice
Im quite clueless !
A useful summary. Every homeowner should spend a little time reading it!