What is Damp?
Damp may be the presence of moisture in the structure of a house. It appears within the bricks and mortar and may be due to rain water, condensation or inadequate drainage. Indeed, as the UK experiences 25,000 gallons of rain water each year, damp is probably the most typical problems encountered in homes. Yet, the issue can also arise from the lack of poor property maintenance regarding the floors, doors, windows and pipe-work. The current presence of damp can cause all kinds of issues ranging from colder temperatures and the degradation of a property's interior to risks of mould and more seriously, aggravated respiratory problems.
Minimising Condensation
Condensation may be the only reason behind damp that you may partially manage. Below are a few tips:
? Produce Less Moisture in your house
There is always some moisture in the air but increasing the amount is only going to increase the probability of damp. View website outside instead of on the radiator, have the windows open when bathing and showering and keep lids on the pans or work with a ventilator when cooking.
? Ventilate your Home
Keeping windows slightly ajar can help to reduce the natural moisture occurring from breath. Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms come in use and open the windows accordingly. Leave space between furniture and the walls to allow air to circulate. Purchasing a dehumidifier is also a terrific way to remove moisture from your home.
? Heat, Insulate and Draught-Proof your Home
The warmer your home, the less likely the current presence of condensation. Keep your home heated up to you can and install insulation and draught-proofing measures for the loft, walls and windows to help keep your house warmer for longer. Double glazed windows are another effective option.
Do you know the Signs?
As damp can be quite a problem, it's wise to keep a watch out that it is not effecting your property. When attempting to spot signs of damp, look out for:
? Wallpaper or paint that's peeling from the wall
? Skirting boards which have become discoloured or decayed
? Crumbling or discolouration of plaster
? Timber floors which have become decayed.
Yet, damp will not always make itself as obvious as this so if you are still worried that it's present in your home, call in an expert to carry out a specialist inspection.
Damp Proofing
If your building has a history of or is experiencing a damp problem, it's wise to start alleviating the situation before it spirals uncontrollable. Damp proofing most often requires a professional hand and according to the type of damp situation, it might involve a number of of these measures:
Damp Proof Course:
This can be a course most often taken for cases of rising damp. The process involves drilling holes into the brick of the property's internal walls and injecting the structure with a damp-proofing fluid to reduce the movement of water through the wall's capillaries. The course acts as a barrier to moisture rising from the bottom and passing in to the walls. Choosing this route may also involve the need to re-plaster the walls.
Structural Waterproofing:
This technique involves the incorporation of a drain membrane in to the walls and floors. It is the best fix for damp problems that are due to high ground levels. Once the membrane has been installed, the presence of damp is managed as the moisture can run down the membrane and become channelled into a drain.
Cementitious Tanking:
This process involves coating the inner walls of a property to seal moisture out of your home. This technique pays to for general moisture but ineffective for situations such as flooding. Three coats are applied and the wall re-plastered.