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What is Rising Damp & How Do I Treat It?
With over 40 years experience treating and preventing rising damp, Allerton Damp are the go-to rising damp specialists in Yorkshire and surrounding areas.
Rising damp can be caused by any building defect that provides an open pathway for moisture to enter the interior of your property from the exterior. To effectively resolve the problem, it’s crucial to address the underlying cause of the damp, rather than just applying temporary damp treatment solutions. Fixing the root cause will help prevent future moisture issues and ensure the long-term integrity of your building.
If a property was built before 1875, it may not have had a damp course installed as these only became mandatory after this time. Also, it is possible for the damp course of a property to break down over time.
Where a property does not have the protection of a damp course, it is likely that rising damp will eventually be an issue. If you believe that your damp course is failing, you should contact an expert as soon as possible.
When the ground levels surrounding a building are too high, external walls and masonry are in constant contact with water-saturated soil and earth. This can cause moisture to enter the walls and result in rising damp. To avoid this, it’s essential to keep the ground level around the building at a suitable height and separated from the walls.
For information on how ground levels can affect your home, get in touch.
Rising damp is a common problem in Yorkshire and can lead to a variety of health and structural issues if left untreated. Here are 10 signs of rising damp to keep an eye out for:
Addressing rising damp as soon as it’s noticed is the best way to prevent further damage to the building and its structure, and to avoid potential health issues. A professional damp specialist can help diagnose the root issue and recommend an appropriate treatment.
Rising damp can cause a range of negative effects on a building.
When added to a mixture of sand and cement, ALLDAMP Render Additive can create an extremely effective damp proofing barrier to prevent rising damp making its way onto the internal surfaces of a property’s walls. ALLDAMP Render Additive is not a typical product; it is a specialist additive, which together with the sand and cement forms a barrier to water ingress. This solution can be effective either in conjunction with a chemical damp course or as a one-product solution where other methods of preventing penetrating damp are impractical.
Damp proofing membranes are a hardened, plastic-like material designed to provide a lasting impenetrable barrier to keep water at bay. Sheets of a damp proofing membrane are installed behind plasterboard, to form a continuous, sealed barrier which is let into the floor and ceiling (if necessary) to prevent water ingress. Damp proofing membranes are commonly used in cellars and basements as they are particularly effective at preventing lateral penetrating damp. One limitation of damp proofing membranes is that fixing points for pictures and other wall-mounted furnishings have to be agreed prior to its installation to prevent the membrane being later punctured by a screw or nail. Special fixing points should be accommodated for when installing a membrane so that the room can be used as normal without limiting furnishings or risking a breach of the membrane.
A chemical damp proof course can be a cost-effective way of quickly inserting a new damp proof course into a property which has had no damp proof course or the existing course has broken down. Generally, chemical damp proof courses are more effective in traditional brick-built walls as wall thickness and the material used can play a part in how effective the chemical damp proof course is. In cases where the wall is not of a traditional brick construction, one or more of the other methods mentioned here may be suitable.
Is rising damp dangerous?
Rising damp can be a dangerous problem. The effects of rising damp pose a range of health hazards to those living in affected properties.
In addition to the structural damage that it can cause to a building, rising damp can lead to the growth of mould and other allergens, which can trigger respiratory problems, allergies, and infections in some people.
As rising damp causes the structure of a building to deteriorate and weaken, it can become seriously dangerous for anyone using the building.
What happens if rising damp is untreated?
If rising damp is not treated, it can cause structural damage, damage to plaster and paint, health problems, increased energy costs, and unpleasant odours. It is important to address rising damp promptly to prevent these issues.
How can I tell if I have rising damp?
Rising Damp is often misdiagnosed by homeowners and some lesser-experienced professionals/ tradespeople, and is often confused with condensation. In a worst-case, but somewhat common scenario, condensation will be mistaken for rising damp and the wrong remedy will be carried out for the problem, wasting time and money. Our Surveyors have advanced surveying equipment and are highly-experienced in the diagnosis of rising damp. To be sure that you always get a proper diagnosis for rising damp treatment, contact an expert for a survey today.
Can rising damp be completely eliminated?
Rising damp can be effectively treated and managed, however, it may not always be completely eliminated. Consistent maintenance and preventive measures are vital when keeping rising damp under control.
Could I fix rising damp myself?
Minor cases of rising damp could potentially be treated with DIY solutions, however, in more serious cases intervention will be required to treat the extent of the damage and implement the appropriate remedies.
This is where we come in, our expert surveyors will assess the damage caused by the rising damp and deem the appropriate next steps.
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Whatever your needs, a member of our Customer Care Team will be happy to hear from you. They are trained in all areas of our work from damp proofing to cellar conversions and will aim to help you as far as possible at the initial stage. They’re friendly, approachable and they always have time to discuss your property needs.
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