Damp is a common problem in Victorian and Edwardian houses. It’s important to understand that these houses are different from modern ones in that they are more porous, or “breathable”, due to differences in construction.
Because of this, the approach to managing damp in an older building may be different from that appropriate for a more modern one. Older buildings must be allowed to “breathe” so that the moisture can escape, and the building dry out. Inappropriate damp proofing techniques may trap moisture within the house and aggravate the problem.
There are several causes of damp in houses, and it’s useful to understand what they are.
Rising damp
Bricks are porous and absorb water. When a brick wall is exposed to water in the ground, the water can sometimes rise up the wall. This is known as rising damp. It’s important to diagnose this accurately, as there are other reasons why your walls can get damp.
Penetrating damp
The water may not be coming from the ground below. Water can leak through the walls if there are structural problems, such as faulty guttering or roofing, or there might be a leak in the plumbing within the house.
Modern houses are built with cavity walls for insulation. When it rains, the outer wall can get wet, but the cavity prevents water reaching the inner wall, which remains dry. Older buildings have solid walls, which stop water getting in because they are thicker. If the wall gets wet from rain and it cannot dry out, it will develop a damp problem. Some modern exterior finishes, like cement render or non-breathable water sealants, can impede the drying of the wall and worsen damp.
Condensation
Moist air in the house comes from people breathing, as well as baths, sinks, kettles, tumble dryers, and so on. We generate a lot more of it nowadays in our modern homes than they did in the olden days. This can be aggravated by poor ventilation, or if chimneys are blocked up.
Get expert advice
The damp in your Victorian or Edwardian home could be due to any number of causes, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. It’s also important that the remedy is suitable for the type of construction to which it is being applied.
The uninformed use of damp proofing techniques intended for modern houses might be expensive, unnecessary, ineffective, and could even aggravate your damp. London Damp Company have extensive experience dealing with damp problems in older buildings and guarantee to sort out damp problems in your Victorian or Edwardian House.
