While some places are more susceptible to damp, it can strike anywhere. It doesn’t discriminate. And it can have devastating effects on your home and even your health in extreme cases. If you want to get ahead of damp and keep your house intact, you’ll need to know what to look out for.
So here’s everything you need to know; the signs of damp, what causes it, what kind it might be and, most importantly, what to do about it. Let’s get into it.
What are the causes of damp?
Damp is essentially condensation. And at this time of the year, that becomes more common. Temperatures fall, and condensation rises. That moisture on your windows in the morning can lead to mould and damp if left to develop unchecked.
But there are other causes of damp. If you’ve had a leaking pipe, that could be your culprit. And rising damp comes from the ground up if you have a damaged damp-proof course. Water can also make its way into your home from something as simple as a leaky window frame, blocked gutter, or dislodged roof tile.
5 early signs of damp to look out for
Knowing the causes of damp will enable you to keep an eye out for damp, especially if you’ve had leaking pipes. however, you still need to know the early signs of damp in your home.
- Marks
Dark marks and discoloured plaster are sure signs that damp is present or has been around in the past. If dark marks present themselves, always investigate further.
- Mustiness
Damp has a pretty distinctive smell; you won’t mistake it for anything else. It has an odour like mushrooms, mould and rotting wood. It can be one of the first signs of damp to present itself.
- Peeling
Peeling wallpaper can occur through dampness permeating your walls. While it could be a sign that you just need to redo your wallpaper, it’s always worth investigating further, just in case.
- Cold
Walls that are cold to the touch, or even wet, are a pretty obvious sign that you have a damp problem. You want internal walls to feel dry and warm to the touch.
- Condensation
As stated before, it’s the time of year when condensation on windows is pretty standard. However, if that condensation doesn’t clear or is excessive, you could be looking at a problem with damp. Left unchecked, any condensation can turn into mould and damp.
3 types of damp
Now you have the tools needed to identify damp; luckily, it’s pretty straightforward. Nonetheless, dealing with it effectively means you’ll have to determine the root cause of your damp problem.
- Condensation
Condensation is a widespread cause of damp issues. It’s caused by poor ventilation and heating. And primarily happens when the level of humidity in your home rises. Activities such as cooking and showering cause this to happen. The warm air then condenses on to cold surfaces like windows; there’s the cause of your condensation and damp.
While water on your windows is the most obvious sign, it can also cause decaying window frames, moulding paint and stained curtains.
- Penetrating
Penetrating damp is where water comes from outside and enters the house through walls. Most commonly, it’s due to a water leak. But it can also be caused by faulty or blocked guttering, failed pointing and cracked rendering.
- Rising
Rising damp happens when water enters your property from the ground upwards. Sure signs of rising damp include peeling paint, dark marks on plaster and spongy, decaying skirting boards.
What can you do about damp?
Now that you’re an expert on the signs and causes of damp, you’ll be wondering how do you tackle it effectively? Simple fixes like wiping down windows and keeping your home warm will solve any condensation issues.
For rising and penetrating damp, you’ll need to find the source of the problem and remedy it. If you’re still scratching your head because you can’t identify the source of the damp, get in the professionals and hire a damp proofing company. Damp can decimate your home, so it’s worth spending money to fix it.
Once the problem is corrected, look into ways to avoid the situation occurring again in the future. For example, bumping up your insulation, using a dehumidifier and upgrading your kitchen and bathroom ventilation will all help keep the prospect of damp returning low.
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