WHAT IS DAMP PROOFING?
Damp proofing is the generic term typically used to describe the installation of preventative measures to stop damp problems such as rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.
Damp walls can damage fixtures and fittings in your property, leave unsightly marks on paint and wallpaper and cause structural damage to timber and masonry. Damp problems that are not treated also have the potential to cause more serious conditions such as wet rot and dry rot in the future.
To speak to a damp specialist, contact Wise Property Care today or complete our contact form and we will organise for our local damp team to contact you. You can also continue to read this page for help and advice on identifying and treating damp on interior walls.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DAMP?
If you identify any of the signs below, there is good chance your property will require remedial damp proofing:
- Walls that feel cold and damp to touch
- Damp and peeling wallpaper
- Damp “tide marks” on the ground floor walls
- Crunchy salt deposits on internal walls
- Green marks and vegetation on external walls
- Damp and musty smell inside the property
- Wet and bubbling plaster
- Black mould on walls and window frames
However, the type of damp proofing you will need can vary dramatically depending on which symptoms you are noticing. A wide variety of structural and property maintenance problems can cause the signs of damp listed above. This is why we would always recommend getting a professional damp survey to establish the source of the problem.
WHAT CAUSES DAMP IN A PROPERTY?
To help you identify the different kinds of damp that can occur within properties and the damp treatments that are available, we have compiled a handy list of the most common problems below:
RISING DAMP
Rising damp is a well known but relatively rare cause of damp problems. If rising damp is the root of your damp problem, you will spot signs such as tide marks up to a meter from the ground floor of your property, white salt marks and walls that will be damp to touch.
CONDENSATION AND MOULD
Condensation is the most common cause of damp and often the most simple to treat. The most common signs of condensation are excess moisture on and around your windows and black mould growing on walls and ceilings. Almost all condensation problems can be rectified by improving ventilation.
PENETRATING DAMP
Penetrating damp is often caused by issues such as leaks, cracks, faulty roofing and overflowing drains. If your property is exposed to wind driven rain this also increases the chances of penetrating damp. The most common signs of penetrating damp are damp patches further up the wall or on the ceiling.
DAMP IN BASEMENTS AND CELLARS
Damp in basements and cellars is caused by water ingress from earth retaining walls. Because damp proofing walls below ground level requires very particular materials and expertise, Wise Property Care has a specialist division, Wise Basement Systems, that deals specifically in damp basements and cellars.
HOW MUCH DOES DAMP PROOFING COST?
It is difficult to put a price on it as damp comes in many different forms with each one requiring their own tailored treatment plan. Also every property is different; what works best for a detached home may be completely different for an apartment.
The best way to establish a guide price to rectifying the damp issue is booking a damp survey to confirm exactly what treatment your property requires.
CAN I DO DAMP PROOFING MYSELF?
DIY damp proofing kits do exist, and they include everything you would need to install a chemical damp proof course. However, if you do choose to go down this route please make sure you know what you are doing as an incorrectly installed damp proof injection can cause more problems than it solves.
Also, unless the condition you are facing is specifically rising damp there is no need for a chemical DPC.
Finally, DIY damp proofing will not carry a damp proofing guarantee.
DOES PUTTING THE HEATING ON HELP DAMP?
In short, no. A radiator near a damp patch may dry it out on the surface but the root problem will still remain whether that’s penetrating damp from a leak or rising damp from the ground.
In fact, if your damp problem is a result of condensation and poor ventilation, then making your home hotter can contribute to excess humidity. That said, you can use your central heating to achieve relative humidity in your home by heating every room of your home so as not to leave cold rooms, which are then more at risk of condensation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DAMP PROOFING
Want to know how to treat a damp problem? Or are you unsure about the particular damp issue you have? Our pages about damp treatment and damp surveys will let you know what Wise Property Care can do for your property and what to expect when we arrive.
DAMP TREATMENT
Want to know how to treat a damp problem? Check out our guide to damp treatments and how we would go about resolving a damp issue.
DAMP SURVEY
Still unsure about the particular damp issue you have? Need some help? Contact Wise Property Care for a no obligation damp survey.
SPEAK TO A DAMP PROOFING EXPERT
With any damp problems, it is important to correctly identify the damp issue you have before going ahead with a form of damp proofing treatment. It can be very costly if a damp problem is misdiagnosed and the wrong treatment has been applied.
If you are unsure, call Wise Property Care today or fill in the form below and we will arrange for one of our specialists to visit your property at a time convenient for yourself. With our expert service and 20 year property repair guarantee, your damp problems will soon be over.
