Despite damp simply being excess moisture in your home that can’t escape, it can cause plenty of problems and even result in more serious structural issues, with untreated cases resulting in thousands of pounds of damage.
Experts at Good Move give their top tips on how you can prevent, and even fix, damp in your home.
Signs of Damp
Autumn and winter – or really any rainy, windy period with long wet spells – is the worst time for getting damp. Usually, you’re able to smell the distinctive musty damp smell, but there are other warning signs of damp that you should be aware of, including small black or grey spots on walls, ceilings, and sealant, excessive condensation on windows as well as growing mould in hidden spots such as behind furniture.
So, where should you be checking for damp?
Walls and ceilings
Bathroom and kitchen
Windows
Furniture
Basements and cellars
What causes damp in your home?
Many things can cause damp, and since water and moisture tend to cause damage over time it may already be too late once you do finally notice. If you can identify what’s causing the damp earlier, you’ve got a better chance of diagnosing and treating it.
1. Penetrating Damp
When the exterior of your home lets in water, even a small crack can cause major issues. Older houses, in particular, can face issues like weathered flashing and mortar pointing that’s falling away, allowing rain to pool and trickle in. Also, check you have no leaking or blocked gutters causing erosion.
2. Poor Ventilation
Moisture does not just come from outside, every time you run a shower, leave laundry to dry, cook or wash, you’re introducing a little bit of moisture into your home, which is a top cause of damp. If this moist air can’t escape, it will build up and cause condensation. Modern homes are designed to be watertight, which is great for stopping penetrating damp, but not so great for ventilation.
3. Lack of waterproofing
Whilst older homes certainly have their charm, sadly they are more prone to having damp. Unlike more modern properties, waterproofing tends to be somewhat poor in older homes, so moisture is more likely to pass through ceilings and walls. Chimneys, in particular, can be a cause for concern. This is because if an old chimney isn’t fully blocked off, water can trickle down, causing issues in rooms that may not even have a fireplace anymore.
4. Rising damp
Damp-proof course is a sort of space built into the walls of houses preventing damp from spreading through the walls. Unfortunately, some older properties may not have these, or they may just be less effective, essentially meaning moisture can rise from the ground below the house and move into the house and floors above. If your home begins to feel cold and smell a bit musty, getting progressively worse the closer you are to ground level, you may have rising damp.
How to treat damp
Treating damp is possible; however, it’s better if you can try to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Here are some effective ways you can ensure your home remains warm and cosy:
1. Treating damp walls
Damp walls may be a pain, but it can be easily treated. Warm soapy water should do the trick and remove any black mould spores and spots from walls. However, professionals may need to be called if you have a serious case of rising damp as they might need to replaster and dampproof internal walls, which removes any damage and stops it from happening again.
2. Ventilation
Don’t have extractor fans in your home and find that rooms stay damp for a long time (for instance, post-shower)? Well, it may be worth investing in these as they are extremely important in filtering out excess moisture. However, if that’s not possible, opening your windows slightly should help keep your home ventilated and well-aired.
Another solution for poor ventilation is a dehumidifier. These budget-friendly machines pull moisture out of the air and are perfect for that one particular room which has a specific problem with damp, such as your attic or basement.
3. Keep your house warm
During the colder months, make sure your heating is running for at least some of the day and that it maintains a constant temperature. Sudden drops in temperature and cold spells in your home could cause condensation, especially around windows.
Other ways of keeping your house warm include investing in double-glazed windows - if you don’t already have them - and making sure you have loft and wall insulation to avoid heat escaping your home. As a bonus, this will also reduce your heating bills!
Nima Ghasri, Director at Good Move, concludes: “The presence of damp does not mean that you are not taking care of your home, but simply that you may not be aware of the various factors which can cause damp. Ultimately, it comes down to dealing with the issue quickly along with double-checking that your home, especially if you live in an older home, will not have trouble with damp in the future.
“Damp can be a real hassle, and no homeowner wants to experience it, but it is extremely common; therefore, we hope that our tips on spotting and treating damp can help keep your home in tip-top shape.”
