You’ll often hear it said that if your home has a damp problem, it’s likely that this originates from three main causes: rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation. While this ultimately true for all cases of damp, there are usually causal factors which your damp specialist will need to address before your problem can be cured.
This is exactly why it’s often useful to hire a damp company to survey your home. A good damp specialist will check for the less obvious sources of damp, sometimes even discovering potential problems you never knew existed.
We’ve been conducting damp and timber surveys in London properties for over 20 years, and here are the top three causes of damp we’ve found during that time. All of them were commonly missed by home owners trying to diagnose their own damp problem, and sometimes also by other damp proofing experts.
- Incorrect Materials
This is a particular problem in older houses, such as those originating from the Edwardian era or before. Prior to the mid 20th century, properties were constructed using very different building materials than those found in more contemporary buildings. Because of this, older buildings require a different approach to damp proofing.
Using modern materials for processes like insulation in older houses can cause more problems than it solves. If the newly-applied materials aren’t breathable, moisture will become concentrated in the air within the building. It won’t be able to circulate freely within and out of the property, creating a whole new damp problem where none previously existed. Unfortunately, the same can happen if inappropriate materials are used for damp proofing: using a product that waterproofs the walls may seem like just the thing to keep the water out, but it also traps the water that’s already inside the house. This can, of course, worsen damp.
- Poor Ventilation
If your home isn’t well ventilated–for example if you don’t frequently have your windows open–this can increase the build-up of moisture inside the property. Lack of ventilation is a particular problem in enclosed, windowless spaces like basements, as the moisture which build up inside can’t get out.
Additionally, if air is prevented from circulating around the outside of the building, this can lead to increased moisture within the house. Restricted circulation can be caused by obstructions to vents or air bricks, and sometimes even by unexpected things like overhanging trees. This is why it often takes an expert to identify some of the more unusual obstructions which are contributing to damp in your home.
- Poor Maintenance
Your problems with damp could stem from some parts of your house being poorly maintained. If your roof is leaking, this can let water penetrate your walls and lead to damp. Any damaged or missing roof tiles could provide a way in for rainwater. If your chimney stack has any cracks or damage, this could also be a way for moisture to enter. That’s why any damp specialist worth their salt will also check your roof when looking for the root cause of your problem.
Of course, it’s more than just your roof that could lead to damp. Gutters being damaged or badly installed can cause water to run down the outside walls of your house, where it can soak through the brickwork, causing damp. Our surveyors are trained to check all gutters and pipes for any cracks, break, blockages, or other signs of disrepair.
No matter what is causing damp in your London property, London Damp Company is here to help. A damp survey can determine the cause of damp, enabling us to figure out the best way to treat it. Our damp and timber surveys are entirely free, and conducted on a no-obligation basis. So book yours now by calling our friendly experts on 0207 127 6886.
