Damp problems in the home can result from a variety of different causes.

Sometimes moisture may be absorbed from the ground, condensation may form on cold surfaces or rain may be entering your property via the roof or walls.

It’s vital that you figure out the causes of dampness before you even start to attempt to cure the problem. That way, you can be sure to receive the most appropriate, effective damp treatment.

What causes condensation on walls?

Condensation on walls occur when air that is laden with moisture builds up inside your property. The cause is often over-efficient draught proofing or inadequate ventilation. In order to find out what’s causing a damp patch on a wall, you can try the foil test. Simply dry the wall surface with a fan heater then tape some kitchen foil snugly over the affected area. If the surface of the foil is wet after 24 hours, then you have condensation.

If you think you might have damp, our damp specialists at Prokil are here to help eradicate it from your home for good. We can assess the exact root of the problem and provide the best damp treatment.

How do I know what type of damp I have on my walls?

Our damp specialists can detect the type of damp you have by the location it appears on the wall.

Damp patches on walls are usually the result of penetrating damp. This occurs when water from outside gets into the brickwork through cracks and gaps. More often than not, if the patches are clustered around doors and windows then rain is getting in through gaps around the frames. If the damp is beneath the opening, it could be because there is no drip groove below a projecting sill. Any other patches of damp are most likely caused by faults in the brickwork; these include cracked pointing.

Damp patches that appear on wall surfaces close to the floor are usually down to rising damp. This occurs most often in masonry walls due to the absence or failure of a damp proof course. However, poor site drainage and bad sub-floor ventilation can also be contributing factors.

Damp patches found on walls that line up with external pipe work or near the ceiling is usually down to roof damage. Faults in the structure of the roof, including poor flashing, broken or cracked gutters and drainpipes, and damaged or missing tiles, can result in dampness in the home. Damp patches may also result from leaks in plumbing work contained within the wall or from inadequately sealed bathrooms.

For more information about what causes damp in walls, get in touch with our experts at Prokil today and book a free* damp survey. Call us on 0800 048 9488 or email [email protected].

*Select surveys may incur a cost, contact us for more information.