Rising damp

Rising damp is one of the more common damp problems in buildings. It mainly affects affects older buildings (built before 1980).

Rising damp occurs when moisture moves upward through building walls or other porous building materials. Some rising damp is normal and generally doesn’t cause any harm, but when moisture moves up too high in walls, damage may occur.

Signs of rising damp

If you have rising damp you may notice damaged skirting boards and floorboards, crumbling or salt stained plaster and peeling paint and wallpaper. There may also be a tide mark along the wall.

Penetrating damp

The cause of penetrating damp is water that leaks through walls, caused by structural problems in a building (ex: faulty guttering or roofing). This type of damp may move around within a building, but this is through horizontal movement rather than by travelling up walls (as is the case with rising damp).

Signs of penetrating damp

Penetrating damp often shows up through damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors, which may darken when it rains. You’re more likely to get penetrating damp if you live in an older building with solid walls, as cavity walls provide some protection.

Condensation

Condensation is the transformation of air with a high humidity content into moisture or even water droplets. Condensation should be avoided as is can lead to other issues, including mould, corrosion and increased heat transfer.

Signs of condensation

The first sign of condensation is water droplets. Once moist air comes in contact with cold surfaces such as walls and windows, it cools down and turns into water droplets.

It is easy to spot water droplets caused by condensation. Do a thorough inspection when the room temperature cools and check for droplets in corners of your room and other poorly ventilated spaces.