Home life

How to spot signs of damp after the rains

Some of the common signs of damp inside a house include:
• A damp and musty smell
• The appearance of mould or mildew on walls, floors or ceilings
• Walls, floors or ceilings that feel cold or damp
• Dark or discoloured patches on walls or plaster
• Lifting or peeling wallpaper
• Excessive condensation on windows

A small patch of damp on a wall initially might not seem too bad, but if it’s not dealt with, it can cause problems.

What are the signs of rising damp?
If you’re worried that rising damp could be a problem, there are some particular signs that you can look out for. These include:
• Damp patches that start at the base of a wall and gradually move upwards.
• Skirting boards or plaster that is damp or rotting
• Floor coverings, such as tiles, vinyl or carpet, that are wet and lifting
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• The appearance of a white, powdery salt-like substance on a wall
• Yellow or brown tide marks or staining on a wall

Rising damp can sometimes be tricky to deal with, and it’s costly. If you
suspect it could be an issue, get it checked by a professional as soon as
possible.

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Control dampness that is caused by condensation from the weather?

Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with the colder surfaces of the home. To prevent condensation and humidity:
• It is essential to cross-ventilate and circulate fresh air within your
home.
• Install exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen so as to remove
extra moisture from these areas.
• Do not dry your clothes indoors.
• When cooking, keep pans covered with lids so as to prevent condensation of steam on the kitchen walls.
• Avoid putting too many things in cupboards, wardrobes or other cabinets – leave enough space to allow air circulation.

How to prevent rising dampness?
Rising dampness is mostly caused in old buildings due to the absence or damage of the DPC (damp-proof course). It is a waterproof plastic membrane incorporated at the plinth level of the building that restricts the movement of moisture through walls and floors. Note that rising
dampness is only caused in the ground floor of the building, because water must move against gravity and dampness can reach a maximum height of 4 feet from ground level.

Rising dampness can be treated by creating a new damp-proof course by stripping the damaged old plaster and drilling holes into each brick. A damp-proofing chemical is injected into these holes under high pressure to create a water-repellentbarrier. The wall is then re-plastered, followed by application of wall paint.

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