Finding the right damp solutions for your property can be a huge relief. For most people, the uncertainty causes anguish and leads to either trying a quick fix or a damp proofer who promises the world and never delivers.
There are DIY damp solutions that you can attempt, and depending on the situation, they can help, but the key is in finding the source of the problem, and to do that, you need to understand dampness and how it can affect your property.
Our expert team have spent over 20 years working in the industry, learning, training, assessing damp around properties and providing damp solutions to businesses and tenants across Kent.
So here is some advice from Dean, owner of the business and damp proofing specialist, on how to find the right damp solutions for your property.
Start with ‘Why’
At South East Timber and Damp, we always start with the source of the problem. Water and dampness will attack your property in many ways, very often affecting the fabric of your building without your knowledge. So, a regular check of your property, inside and out, to find potential sources of dampness should help prevent any major issues.
You are looking for the sources of the following problems:
Rising Damp
Rising damp, as it suggests, is the movement of water from the ground upwards into your property. The water is looking for a bridge into your property, enabling it to get above your damp-proof course (the protective layer that stops water rising from the ground), or it will attack a faulty damp-proof course. It moves via capillary motion up through the permeable materials in your property.
You should be looking for a raised flower bed that rests against your property or a new driveway that sits higher than the previous one.
Inside your property, you will see tide marks up your walls with salt and silt residue where gravity has taken hold and stopped the progress of the water. You will also see bubbling paintwork or peeling wallpaper.
Penetrating Damp
Water can also penetrate your property from above. Most properties are set up to deal with the effects of the weather we experience in this country; however, penetrating damp is very often the result of faulty guttering, drainpipes, missing roof tiles or cracks in your brickwork.
Regularly checking your roof and the surrounding area will help you identify any problems before they cause any significant issues.
Again, the internal indicators are the effects on your paintwork or wallpaper and the tidemarks down your wall.
Condensation
One of the primary sources of mould in your property will be poor air circulation, resulting in the build-up of condensation.
The primary locations will be in kitchens or bathrooms with a higher moisture concentration in the air. However, suppose the air circulation is poor because the windows in your bedroom are not adequately ventilated and the outside temperature is low; this can lead to a build-up of condensation on your windows.
With an increase in moisture, you are likely to see spots of mould emerge, and they will only increase if they are not treated and the environment is not improved. The damp, warm conditions are perfect for mould to grow.
Damp Solutions
So, having identified the main types of dampness and understood what causes them, it is now time to start thinking about the damp solutions that can eradicate the problem.
Speak To A Damp Specialist
If you are unsure about dealing with your damp problems, the best place to start is to ask for help. Our damp experts will give you an honest assessment. We have a small charge for this, but there is a price to suit every budget, and our assessment can often result in some simple DIY fixes you can implement.
Tackling Rising Damp
Inevitably, the solution involves removing the source of moisture. In the case of Rising Damp, it can often be the repositioning of the raised ground away from the wall. There may be a requirement to replace the Damp Proof Course, which will require professional assistance.
Dealing with Penetrating Damp
If your property is suffering from Penetrating Damp, it could be that you need to replace some broken gutters or downpipes or clear some blocked drains.
Alternatively, you might have some structural issues that allow water to permeate the brickwork, which will require some professional support.
The water could have bridged your insulation, too, which will require replacing, and you will need professional support.
Removing Condensation
Finally, if you are suffering from a build-up of condensation, there are a few simple solutions. If condensation appears in your bathroom or kitchen, it could be as simple as opening a window to let the damp air flow outside.
If mould has started to build but is still in its early stages, you can treat this yourself in a variety of ways. Try cleaning the surfaces with a wet cloth, vinegar, or, in some instances, bleach. Always take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself, anyone else in the property and your fixtures and fittings. Mould excretes spores into the atmosphere, which can affect the respiratory function of some people.
If the mould has taken hold and has spread rapidly, then you will require some professional help to remove it and prevent its return.
The Right Damp Solutions
Damp is a troublesome issue, but some preventative measures and simple fixes can often solve your property’s problems.
Getting a professional survey can put your mind at rest, as it will often reveal some simple, cost-effective solutions that could work just fine.
South East Timber and Damp will always provide an objective survey and never suggest work that is not required.
Take steps to resolve your damp problems today.