What is Rising Damp?
Moisture in walls can cause numerous problems in our home. From causing structural damage that leads to costly repairs and renovations to exacerbating respiratory problems and other health issues, we all need to ensure wet walls in our houses or properties are dealt with promptly.
Rising damp is when moisture from the ground creeps into our walls and begins to move upwards through tiny pores in the bricks and mortar. When moisture in walls creeps upward, it is due to a phenomenon called capillary action, where liquids can move against gravity through tight spaces. When the water rises up our walls, it will also carry dissolved salts, which tend to appear as white or grey stains. The process is similar to that of a sponge soaking up water, and it must be dealt with straight away.
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Problems with Rising Damp?
If you feel your home is suffering from rising damp, contact our professionals right away. Our team will be quick to assess your property by first of all taking an accurate moisture reading of your walls. Other visible indicators of rising damp include:
- Yellow or brown Salt marks on plasterwork and internal walls, usually by the skirting boards or the bottom of the walls
- Mould or mildew forming on walls
- Flower-shaped, powdery salt deposits
- Decayed skirting boards
- Peeling wallpaper
- Flaking paint
- Damp and musty smell
The causes of rising damp include:
- A lack of a proper damp proof course
- Damp proof failure due to the age of the building or improper installation
- Damp proof course breached by adjoining structure
- Poor plumbing
- Poor drainage
- Drainage sloping towards the building instead of away from it
- Faulty guttering, downpipes or roof tiles
- Floods
Having rising damp in your home or office can seriously affect your health and that of your family. It can cause breathing difficulties and problems with the skin and eyes, so act fast and get expert analysis from our team.
What Happens if Rising Damp Goes Untreated
There are several issues that may occur if treatment for dampness isn’t carried out promptly. Wet walls inside a house or business are a serious issue that should never be ignored. Here is what might happen if you have rising damp in your property:
Weakened Walls – Prolonged moisture in walls will eventually begin to impact the structural integrity of your property. Over time, this can lead to serious issues that are costly to fix.
Timber Decay – If moisture is in the walls and goes untreated, it will reach our timber. This can range from skirting boards to the timbers in our roof, making our property very unsafe and structurally unsound.
Plaster and Render Deterioration – One of the first things we will notice about rising damp is the staining on our walls. This is the beginning of significant damage to the plaster in our property. If untreated, it can cause a lot of damage to interior and exterior walls.
Interior Damage – Rising damp can also cause a lot of interior damage, such as ruining painted walls, door frames, damaging furniture, and leaving salt deposits on the surface of our walls.
Health Issues – The increased humidity caused by rising damp and moisture in our walls can also damage our health in several ways, from exacerbating respiratory issues, such as asthma, to causing allergies.
How to treat rising damp in London
If your property in London is suffering from rising damp, there are a number of solutions.
Treatments for rising damp include:
- Digging up the existing damp course
- Rectifying and injecting chemicals into the walls
- Extracting the damaged bricks and swapping those out for new ones
- Replastering affected walls
- Installing a rising damp proof course
At London Damp Proofing Ltd, we work tirelessly to solve your damp problems quickly and to make your house dry and comfortable to live in again.
Whether you need DPC injections, salt neutralisation, improved drainage, or better ventilation, we are here to assist you in any way we can. Our mould prevention experts can provide all the guidance, support, and services you need to enhance your property and your life.
At London Damp Proofing Ltd, we have the tools and the knowledge to tackle any issues, and our team understands London properties better than anyone. Offering a 30-year guarantee on all our work, you can’t go wrong.
Contact us today to discuss your requirements and to arrange a site visit
Testimonials
Damp proofing & replastering
James was punctual and professional and has done a great job on our flat. He is easy to contact and the work we had done was good value.
Damp patch on inside of external wall
James was really efficient and easy to work with. He suggested a not too expensive solution and carried out the job within a few days. We have high hopes the problem is fixed and would definitely recommend James to others
Damp proof outside wall
James was very professional and did a quick job. He also cleaned up after himself which I was grateful for. Thank you.
Penetrative damp problem
James was very efficient and considerate. Prompt response to job, organised to come round to view the problem on the weekend, gave a written quote and then carried out the work diligently. Time will tell if the damp problem is gone but for now I would recommend him.
Sudbourne Road damp
James was reliable, worked fast and tidied up well afterwards. He did a neat job and we were very pleased with the results. He even repaired some other holes in the plaster in another room as a bonus for no extra charge. We would happily use him again and have no hesitation recommending him.
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