How to Get Rid of Damp

25 Nov How to Get Rid of Damp

As summers cool down and the autumn makes a grand entrance, you know it’ll only get colder towards the end of the year. While winter is a lovely season with the snow, Holidays, and stuff, it is also the cause for your home to suffer.

Dampness is one of the significant reasons for homes in the UK to end up with moss and mould. This affects the lifespan of the house and the health of people who live in it. It is crucial to detect the early signs of damp settling in the structure and getting rid of it before it’s too late.

Damp proofing can be done in different ways. But for that, you need to understand the types of damp and how each one can result in losses. Let’s start by identifying the signs of damp.

Signs of Damp at Home

• The internal walls will be cold. In regular circumstances, the internal walls should be warm and dry. If they are cold and make you feel like you are touching something taken out from the refrigerator, it means the walls are collecting moisture. This leads to dampness.
• The walls have dark marks or show signs of discolouration. The wallpaper might start to appear wet at certain places and will curl off from the edges.
• If you open the door to a room and notice a musty scent, it denotes moisture in the walls and surroundings. That’s a sure sign of dampness.
• Windows condense during winters. But if the condensation is more than what it usually is, it means that the house is being affected by damp.

Types of Damp

There are typically three types of damp we notice in our homes.

·        Penetrating Damp

This is caused by leaking pipes, overflowing gutters, and malfunctioning plumbing system. The damp affects the outer walls of the house and quickly seeps inside. If you see patches of wetness on the walls or near the cracks, it’s penetrating damp and requires being resolved at the earliest.

·        Condensation Damp

As the name says, this is caused by condensation during winters. It’s something we see in every home. Rely on heaters to keep the house warm and avoid condensation. You can also use anti-mould paint in bathrooms to reduce the chances of damp seeping out and spreading in your home.

·        Rising Damp

To identify rising damp, you need to look at the walls near the floor. This is caused by groundwater rising up the wall and releasing moisture that causes mould in the lower part of the walls. If the skirting appears damaged or the paint is peeling off the walls near the tide line, recognize it as rising damp and immediately install a new damp-proof.

Tips and Techniques for Damp Proofing

Let’s look at the various ways to damp-proof a house and prevent the moss, moulds, and bacteria from affecting the structure and your health.

Wiping Windows Every Morning

Don’t let condensation sit for long on the windows and window sills. Wipe it away the moment you see it. A kitchen towel should serve the purpose just fine. Occasionally, you can use a fungicidal wash to wipe the window frames and walls.

Keep the Bathroom Moisture-Free

Is it really possible to do this? Well, you can prevent the moisture from spreading through the bathroom if you follow the below steps-

• Close the door when you use a hot shower to prevent the steam from escaping and settling in the other room.
• Use the extractor fan to blow away the steam from the bathroom to the outside. You can also keep a small window open before you turn on hot water.
• Wipe the surfaces with a soft towel to prevent condensation from building in the bathroom.
• As a final attempt, you can fit air bricks that allow hot air to pass through and prevent condensation.

Replace Water/ Gutter Pipes

To get rid of penetrating damp, you need to remove and replace the old water pipes with new ones. Get the plumbing system thoroughly checked by a professional to identify internal water leakages.

Other Ways to Damp-Proof

• Use a chimney in the kitchen to prevent the cooking steam and moisture from spreading around.
• Make sure your home has proper ventilation. If there is no cross breeze, the house will collect more moisture and start to smell.
• Invest in a good heater or a dehumidifier. These ensure that excess moisture doesn’t seep into the walls.
• Insulate your home well. Replace old doors and windows with double glazing.

Conclusion

For effective damp proofing, contact an expert. A qualified and licensed surveyor will thoroughly check your home for early signs of damp and suggest the right method to damp-proof your home.