Damp Proofing Wakefield

Damp in the home or ‘structural damp’ is essentially unwanted moisture in the structure of the building which can result from factors both internal and external to the property. Essentially, dampness is excess moisture and this excess is either caused by a sudden increase in the amount of moisture entering the building or the usually gradual buildup of moisture inside unable to escape.

Not only does dampness look unattractive but it can also lead to serious health problems. Unwanted moisture can enable the growth of fungus in the wood, causing rot and mould. Moulds can grow almost anywhere, on virtually any surface and cause poor indoor air quality leading to sick building syndrome and respiratory problems.

Every building, no matter the age or size, will contain some moisture from not only the air within the property but also the building materials used in construction. Moisture naturally spreads from wet to dry areas, and gravity also pushes it downwards – the construction of your home should allow for this. However, problems do still occur, so it’s vital to keep a lookout for the early signs of dampness.

Concerned you may have a damp problem, contact us for some further expert advice and guidance.

Strange as it may seem, your damp problem isn’t always obvious. When you have a condensation problem, you’ll see droplets of water on painted walls and your windows will be misted up, especially if you’ve been keeping them closed for a while. A condensation specialist can help you identify the source of the problem and provide guidance on condensation management. Other types of damp can be identified by peeling wallpaper or blistering plaster, patches of black mould, and a persistent musty odour. If your skirting boards appear to be damaged, or if a tidemark appears along the wall, you may have rising damp. In this case, a rising damp specialist will be able to arrange for a damp survey to determine the extent of the problem.

Signs of Damp to look out for

Damp may not always be easy to spot but there are a few key indicators that should raise alarm bells:

• A damp or musty smell
• Discolouration of walls and ceilings
• Mould or mildew forming on walls
• Wallpaper lifting, peeling, straining or blistering
• A general chilly or damp feeling
• Algae, salt stains and/or mould on external walls
• Decay of timber and the possible presence of fungi or wood-boring weevils
• Excessive condensation on windows
• Rusting of nails, screws and/or the angle beads within the plasterwork
• External mortar is beginning to crumble away

If you are concerned, you may have a damp problem feel free to contact us for some support. 

It is actually a common misconception that damp is caused by one single factor when in fact it can be several, each requiring an expert diagnosis and solution. There are three common forms of damp;

Condensation

Condensation is by far the most common form of damp in the home. It is essentially caused by warm air which contains water vapour being cooled. Warm air can hold more water than cool air so when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface such as glass or cold walls it can no longer hold onto its moisture content. This is called the ‘dewpoint’ and is when the water begins to drop out of the air causing condensation. Common sources include laundry, bathing and cooking. In the United Kingdom, we even have a ‘condensation season’ which runs from October to March and this is when problems are particularly common. You can read more about condensation, its effects and what to look for here.

Rising Damp

Rising damp is the term used when groundwater rises up through floors, walls and masonry. It is not as widespread as other types of damp but is certainly not a myth like some claim. This type of damp has been a well-observed problem in buildings for over two hundred years, in fact, it may have even been a problem that the Romans and Greeks had to deal with. The problem lies in the fact that bricks and mortar contain many fine capillaries and are therefore very porous. The moisture in rising damp continues to rise until it can evaporate or the pores become too fine to allow it to continue. Most modern properties are fitted with a Damp Proof Course (DPC), this was compulsory in walls post-1875,  but some homes have no DPC or it may even have failed. Read more about rising damp and what signs to look for here.

Penetrating Damp

Also known as ‘rain penetration’ is another common form of damp which can often be mistaken for rising damp as it frequently occurs at ground level. Penetrating damp is essentially caused by water leaking through walls and being unable to escape.

Caused either by the lack of an escape route for moisture entering the structure, or an increase in moisture that overloads the escape route. It can often be caused by defective building or plumbing work such as leaking gutters or roof work and cracks in walls which result in the walls regularly being soaked with water. Modern buildings offer more protection from penetrating damp than older properties due to their cavity walls.

Signs to look out for with penetrating damp?

Guttering and downspouts that are broken or missing

Rendering or masonry cracks

Brickwork and pointing damage

Poor-quality mortar or porous bricks

Roof cracks/damaged or missing roof tiles

Drainage systems that are faulty or clogged

Coatings/paint for non-breathable outer walls

Windowsills that are broken or missing

The problem is frequently worse during extended periods of rain.

 Find more information on penetrating damp and what signs to look for here.

Other Types of Damp

There are other less common types of damp including Chemical damp which is when the plasterwork is contaminated with hygroscopic salts. These salts then absorb moisture directly from the air.  Or you may have dampness caused by corrosion in the building’s plumbing, often occurring often when joints are not made fully watertight.

You may even be thinking your damp problem does not fit any of these descriptions or you may have a combination of several different types of damp if so contact us for some friendly expert advice and further information.

Contact Us Today For Damp Proofing In Wakefield

Damp in the home can be caused by various factors, some more obvious than others. If you notice any signs of dampness in your home the first step will be to contact an expert to help identify the type of damp problem you have. If you own an older property you will need to be extra vigilant as they tend to be much more susceptible to dampness due to the types of materials used in construction and the complete lack of dampproofing.

Other key issues and  causes of damp in the home include;

• Plumbing problems – sometimes difficult to see but can cause a regular, concentrated escape of water which can overload the surrounding area.
• Leaking or undersized gutters – A leaking gutter can feed water onto the walls, windowsills and the roofing area. An undersized gutter will allow the rainwater to overflow and saturate the walls.
• Holes in the roof – possibly from a missing or slipped tile which will allow water to leak into the building.
• Modern plaster, paint and wallpapers – can be impermeable and prevent moisture from moving through the walls to escape.
• Converted cellar rooms – most cellars are part of the moisture control within the home but when they are not properly ventilated during conversion it can force moisture up into the other rooms of the home.

Get In Touch For Professional damp proofing in Wakefield

Damp proofing is a generic term for the process of protecting your property from moisture passing through the walls and floors. Dampproofing can be done by several different methods and treatments but it essentially places a barrier in the walls or floor to prevent the various types of dampness that may be occurring.

There are several different types of damp proofing including;

• A damp proof course (DPC) – most homes are constructed with a DPC but this can become damaged or may be faulty.
• Cavity wall construction – most modern homes are built with an exterior wall separated from the interior wall by a cavity.
• Surface coating – when a thin waterproof material or cement is applied.
• A damp proof membrane (DPM) – is a membrane which is applied to prevent moisture transmission.
• Integral damp proofing – this is when a substance is applied to the concrete mix to make it impermeable.

Whatever your damp problem the first step will always be to speak to an expert at JRM cellar conversions. They can help you diagnose your damp problem and talk through the best damp-proofing solution for you and your home. Damp is always dealt with best if dealt with early so do not hesitate to get in touch

For professional damp proofing in Wakefield contact us

If your house was built after 1870, it most likely has damp proofing, whether it’s cavity walls, a damp proof course, or a damp proof membrane. This will typically consist of several layers of slate in well-built Victorian and Edwardian houses.  However, beginning with the Georgian era, Britain experienced several boom periods in home construction, and some property developers installed less durable damp proofing made of bitumen-impregnated hessian.

The majority of damp proofing measures were entirely adequate when they were installed. However, damp proofing in older houses frequently becomes less effective over time: cavity walls can fill up with debris from deteriorating mortar, bitumen and hessian eventually decay, and slate can crack due to constant stress caused by the expansion and contraction. If your house was built before the late twentieth century, the damp proofing may need to be replaced.

Interested in professional damp proofing in Wakefield? Contact us here

Does home insurance cover rising damp? Most of the time, it won’t. Buildings insurance policies do not cover problems caused by a gradual deterioration, which is what insurers consider rising damp to be.

If your home shows signs of dampness, you will be well aware of how unsightly it appears, but it is more than just an aesthetic issue. Mould is frequently caused by persistent dampness, affecting respiratory systems and contributing to conditions such as asthma.

Because some moulds produce allergens, irritants, and toxic substances, inhaling or touching mould spores may cause allergic reactions in some people.