If you are concerned about whether damp is affecting your home, then it is important to recognise which type of damp it may be, to understand the cause and ensure the damp is correctly treated. This blog will explore the different types of damp that can be found in your home, the signs of this, and the various potential causes, particularly related to Cavity Wall Insulation.
If you are looking for information on damp proofing, then make sure to check out another one of our blogs, here.
Understanding the type of damp that may be affecting your home is important, as damp repair and damp proofing can be costly, so you want to be sure it is done correctly… So, let’s dive into the different types of damp.
Types of Damp
Condensation
One of the most common types of damp is Condensation. This is caused by moist, warm air, condensing onto cool walls, particularly in rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen. Condensation can’t always be helped, but there are few things that may cause it to worsen; central heating that gets very warm and then cools down can create warm, damp air that then condenses, causing condensation. Another cause is a lack of ventilation, which has become somewhat prevalent in older homes. Older homes were once designed to allow damp air to evaporate out the house, however, removing chimneys and the introduction of energy-saving measures (e.g., cavity wall insulation) has reduced the ventilation in older homes, causing the warm air to become trapped and therefore, creating an issue of condensation.
If lack of ventilation is a problem in your home, there are a couple of things you can do to help prevent issues with condensation. Extraction fans and de-humidifiers help to reduce the amount of moisture in the air, so give these a try and they might help!
Condensation may only begin as a small, somewhat unnoticeable issue, but when left untreated it can cause severe damage to the internal paint and plaster work of your property, as well as your window frames, which can even decay!
Signs of Condensation
• Water droplets – these may be on the window or walls of your home. If you see these droplets form, wipe them away with a cloth to avoid damage to your walls.
• The appearance of dark mould, often found around windows and glass.
• Unpleasant, mouldy smell.
Condensation causing Damp
Rising Damp
Another common type of damp is Rising Damp. This is caused by ground water moving up through the walls or the floor. Although it is somewhat natural for walls and floors to allow some water in (a tiny amount!), preventative barriers called a damp-proof course or damp-proof membrane prevent too much water getting in or damage being caused.
Damp-proof Course
This is a waterproof strip built into the wall, at a height of at least 15cm, it is typically made of plastic or bitumen felt.
Damp-proof Membrane
This is a sheet of waterproof material, that is laid underneath the floor. It should be connected to a damp-proof course so that the property is sealed and protected from ground water.
Both of these preventative barriers are found in most homes, particularly new homes, as they are a requirement of building regulations. Although older buildings may not have them, or otherwise they have become worn or damaged over time. In which case, your walls or floor may begin to present signs of rising damp.
Signs of Rising Damp
• Peeling paint/wallpaper – often with visible wet patches.
• Tide marks rising up the wall.
• Damaged skirting or plaster.
• Floor coverings lifting (if the rising damp is from the floor).
Rising Damp
Penetrating Damp
The final type of damp you may find in your property is Penetrating Damp. This is caused by water leaking through the walls; it can expand across your walls and ceiling, but it will move horizontally, unlike rising damp which travels upwards.
Penetrating damp is typically a result of structural issues in a building, such as cracks in the walls that allow water in during heavy rainfall and bad weather, or even faulty pointing and or roofing/guttering. Older homes are more prone to penetrating damp, as newer buildings with cavity walls help to provide protection.
Signs of Penetrating Damp
• Damp patches on walls or ceilings
• Peeling paint/wallpaper
• Damp marks moving across the wall
Now we have identified and discussed the different types of damp, you can potentially identify the damp that is affecting your property. If not, we can help! Get in touch now for a expert Damp Survey today, visit our website or Contact Us.
Damp is not an issue you want to let worsen, as this only makes it harder and more costly to repair. Here at CavClear, our damp-proofing specialists are here to help. Don’t wait, contact us now.
Recent Comments