Get Rid of Damp

Damp can be a stressful occurrence and it affects hundreds of thousands of homes across the UK every year (English Housing Survey). Out of nowhere you might notice damp patches, musty smells or mould growth for the first time, and wonder what has caused the problem. It can even cause damage to clothing, furniture and the structural timbers within your building. 

A damp internal environment can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. To get rid of a damp problem and return your home to a welcoming environment, you must first understand what is causing the problem.

Our expert guide explains how to get rid of damp in your home, and solutions to prevent the problem returning. Often damp problems can be solved by minor fixes or repairs. But if you are unsure about what to do next, or feel like you require specialist advice from professionals, we can provide you with a full damp and timber survey of your property to fully understand the problem.

Damp can be spotted anywhere in a home, from below ground basements, along the skirting boards at ground level, mouldy bathroom walls and damp patches in the ceiling. This is because there are a number of different types of damp that affect homes, each with their own characteristics.

Sometimes damp problems are caused by plumbing leaks, or leaky appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. To get rid of this problem you will require a plumber, not remedial damp proofing. 

Sometimes the damp problem can be complex, so a damp survey by an experienced and qualified surveyor may be required to get to the root cause of the problem.

In order to remove the damp problem in your home you must first understand the source of the problem. This can be done by identifying the telltale signs of rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.

Once you have confirmed the type of damp you can then begin to solve the problem for good.

Rising damp will only be prevented by an effective damp proof course (DPC). A DPC is used to block the upwards movement of moisture in a wall. If you have a rising damp problem it is because there is no existing DPC, or the existing DPC has become defective over time. Older properties may have a DPC made of slate or bitumen.

The most cost effective solution to stop rising damp is the installation of a chemical damp proofing course. This involves an injection of damp proofing cream at regular intervals into the mortar or brickwork, creating a water repellent barrier stopping moisture from rising up through the masonry and potentially carrying hygroscopic salts as well. Hygroscopic salts pull moisture into the wall and this is sometimes called salt damp as it comes and goes with the weather, causing great confusion to the householder.

Rising damp is more rare than people realise, so we would recommend a damp specialist to first confirm the problem is rising damp. Once confirmed they will provide recommendations for an effective solution for rising damp. This may include replastering if existing plaster has been deteriorated by salt migration.

In order to stop penetrating damp, you must find the source of the moisture ingress and fix the building defect causing the problem. If left untreated, penetrating damp can lead to problems such as dry rot and structural issues like wall tie failure.

There can be many different reasons why you have penetrating damp, driving rain, incorrectly fitted windows, damaged external renders, damaged guttering, leaky downpipes, missing mortar or even absorbent masonry.

Sometimes high ground levels may require elements of structural waterproofing to deal with the penetrating damp. Masonry protection creams can be used to create a waterproof barrier for porous masonry, helping prevent problems associated with wind driven rain. Regular maintenance will prevent penetrating damp from occurring in the future, and you may only need minor repairs for some of the issues.

Condensation is the most common form of damp that affects properties in the UK, with one in five properties having issues relating to it. In order to prevent condensation you need to have good ventilation and regulated heating - especially in the winter months.

If not ventilated properly, moisture from everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning will remain in the home, and will condense on cool surfaces. This will form damp patches and ultimately mould growth. This is common on cold north-facing external walls, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

To get rid of condensation you will need to increase the ventilation of your property - this can be done by opening trickle vents, or even opening the window when cooking or showering. Make sure to keep the bathroom and kitchen doors closed when in use to prevent moisture flowing into other rooms. If you do not have adequate ventilation you may require improvements, either through extractor fans or in some cases PIV units.

Addressing cold spots will prevent damp patches from forming. This can be done through isolated areas of anti-condensation paints, or for larger problems, thermal plastering. These treatments work by removing the cold bridge on which condensation can form. This is achieved by insulating the cold surface from the moist air and raising the surface temperature to prevent condensation forming and thus mould growth is prevented.

For mould on ceilings you may need to increase the levels of insulation in the ceilings or roof to prevent the ceiling being a cold bridge.

Another way to get rid of condensation is to try and reduce the amount of moisture produced in a property. Here are the top five ways to prevent condensation in your home - verified by our expert technical team:

1) Make sure extractor fans are working properly, and always use them when cooking or cleaning to help remove excess moisture from the atmosphere. If you do not use an extractor fan in an ensuite the excess moisture may cause mould growth in the bedroom. Leave the fan running for ten minutes after you are done to help remove the moisture. Ensure the fan inlet is kept clean, as water and oil vapour will glue dust to the inlet grill and reduce performance. 

2) Make sure tumble driers are vented outside the property and the extract hose has not perished or is leaking.

3) When cooking, make sure there are lids on pans and when using a kettle only boil as much water as you need. This will prevent unnecessary production of water vapour while cooking.

5) Move furniture away from walls to allow for airflow as condensation will often form in areas where there is stagnant air. Mould growth is common behind wardrobes, inside cupboards and behind the headboards of beds, where these are close to cold outside walls. 

If you are unsure about how to get rid of a damp problem in your property, Peter Cox are here to help. If you book a damp and timber survey with Peter Cox you can expect a thorough and detailed survey from a trained surveyor, with all findings detailed in an easy to understand report, backed by photographic evidence. We have CSRT/CSTDB qualified surveyors located across the country from our network of local branches. 

The survey report will detail any issues found and recommendations for further treatments, but only when required.

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  Will a Dehumidifier get Rid of Damp?

  Many people turn to dehumidifiers for a quick fix once the temperature starts to drop outside and they notice a condensation problem in their home. The dehumidifier will not address the cause of damp, but simply help remove moisture from the atmosphere. To fully resolve a damp problem you need to find the underlying cause and rectify it. Dehumidifiers may help reduce humidity in a property but they can quickly fill with water so are not as effective as they may seem. For long lasting results you may require improvements to ventilation through extractor fans or even PIV systems.

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  How to get rid of a Damp Smell?

  To get rid of a damp smell, you must first address the cause of damp by repairing any leaks, increasing ventilation or by carrying out damp proofing. Sometimes damp smells can be caused by fungal decay, so make sure there are no signs of rotten timber in your property.