Identifying rising damp

The one thing to remember when identifying rising damp is that there are many forms of damp that can affect a property and different forms of damp proofing to help treat the particular damp problem.

Identifying rising damp - misdiagnosis

It is not uncommon to hear rising damp being misdiagnosed for another damp related issue such as penetrating damp. Many individuals inexperienced with identifying rising damp issues may just assume that due to the usual signs of a tide mark on the wall, you have a rising damp issue. Before considering the wrong type of damp proofing treatment, consider the following:

• Do you have any faulty or leaking guttering that could lead to your damp issue? Is there vegetation growing out of the gutters?
• Do you have faulty leaking plumbing?
• Do you have leaking overflow pipes?
• Is it a possible condensation problem? If so check out our condensation tips
• Do you have cracks in the stonework or brick work?
• Do you have damp staining on stonework particularly adjacent to pipes?
• Do you have defecting pointing?

Any of the property problems above could suggest that the initial damp issue you have is not rising damp. Check out our damp proofing web page to help you identify the possible damp problem you have or contact Wise Property Care on 0800 65 22 678 to find out more.

Signs identifying rising damp

Without using any equipment, identifying rising damp problems can be done visually and by touch. Typical visual signs identifying rising damp include:

• Tide marks on the walls up to 1 metre caused by evaporation and salts from the ground.
• Damp patch and staining about 1 metre up a wall from the ground
• Possible black mould growth about 1 metre up a wall
• Wall paper coming off or pealing from the wall
• Decayed skirting boards

Other practical ways of identifying rising damp include:

• Running your hands around the suspected rising damp area. If you have wallpaper on your walls, you may hear a ‘crunching' sound of the salts that have been drawn from the ground
• If possible, look at the exposed surface of the brick or stone work. Check to see if there are salts forming, that the brick is actually wet (not just the wallpaper or paint)

It is also important to note that rising damp only occurs on ground floor levels as it is moisture from the soil that is being drawn up the walls and thus causing the rising damp problem. If it is the case that your damp problem is on the first floor or above, it may be that you have a condensation problem or a penetrating damp issue.

Further information about rising damp

For more information about rising damp, check out the following web page, or call 0800 65 22 678 and speak to a damp specialist.

	What is rising damp Unsure what exacty rising damp is? Find out what rising damp is and how the problem occurred. What is rising damp
	Rising damp treatment Watch our handy rising damp treatment video and find out how we solve rising damp issues. More about rising damp treatment
	Rising damp survey Unsure if you have a rising damp problem or another damp related problem. Contract Wise Property Care for a no obligation damp survey.  Book a rising damp survey

Speak to a specialist about rising damp

Want to speak to specialist about a possible rising damp problem? Contact Wise Property Care today on 0800 65 22 678 and speak to one of our damp specialists for some free and impartial advice.

Alternatively, if you want someone to take a look at your damp problem, you can request a property repair survey online. With our 20 year property repair guarantee, you can have peace of mind that your rising damp problem will soon be over.