Signs of damp

Damp problems can affect any building new or old, but more often than not, they can be attributed to poor property maintenance, poor build quality, the use of low-quality materials, or the absence or failure of an existing damp proof course. 

This webpage will let you know the main signs of damp cause by conditions such as rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation.

Often damp problems can go unnoticed in your property, but there are tell-tale signs of damp
which verify whether or not there's a damp problem:

• Damp musty smells
• Paint cracking or deteriorating
• Damp marks around chimney breast
• Damp stains, damp mould or salt residue on walls
• Staining of wall coverings
• Rusting nails or screws
• Evidence of dry rot fungal growth on walls and structural timber
• A discoloured or white tidemark on walls, indicating rising damp

• Water marks on walls
• Salt stains on walls
• Moss or vegetation growing on the exterior of buildings
  

If you notice any of the following signs of damp listed above in your property it is likely that you will need assistance from a professional damp treatment expert to get your property back to full health.

Although it might not be noticeable, over time damp will cause structural problems - the presence of fungi in wood often causes wet rot and dry rot problems, which leads to the weakening of structural timber. It also provides ideal conditions for woodworm to thrive, and can cause unsightly and unhealthy mould problems to develop. The longer damp infests, the worse a woodworm, wet rot or dry rot problem will become and the greater damage caused to a property's structure.

If you spot any signs of damp on your property, you should contact Peter Cox to arrange a professional damp survey to identify the cause, and give advice on treatments and solutions. 

Peter Cox was established in 1951 and has over 66 years experience in providing damp proofing solutions. We are the market leader in the repair and preservation on all types of property.

Call the experts at Peter Cox today on 0800 633 5712 to organise a damp proofing survey from one of our damp specialists. You can also get in touch online with any questions you have and one of our team will get back to you.