Rising damp treatments
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What is rising damp?
Rising damp is a well known but not particularly common damp problem that needs expert diagnosis and specific treatment for any remediation to be effective.
The term rising damp is used to define a type of dampness caused by the process of ground water being drawn up through brick and stonework by capillary action.
The groundwater will often contain hygroscopic salts (particularly Chlorides and Nitrates) and these salts are capable of attracting and absorbing moisture from the atmosphere when the relative humidity is high. This can leave unsightly marks on internal walls and cause damage to the internal plaster. Adjacent timbers are also at risk from attack by fungal decay.
This page will help answer the following questions:
- What causes rising damp?
- Is rising damp a myth?
- How to identify rising damp?
- Is rising damp a problem?
Continue reading for help and advice from our rising damp specialists or click the button below to book a damp survey online.
What causes rising damp?
Rising damp is the process of ground water being drawn up through the masonry and mortar that make up the walls of a building. The same way water rises up the stalk of a plant, or the fragrance in a reed diffuser rises up a wick. This process is called capillary action.
Rising damp depends on numerous factors including how wet the ground under the property is and the height of the water table. The building material will also have an effect, with some forms of masonry more susceptible than others due to the size of the capillaries.
Some properties may never be affected by rising damp, but buildings without a damp proof course may be susceptible if the water table changes.
Sometimes rising damp can occur even if a damp proof course is installed - which may be caused by the damp proof course being bridged. Examples of things that could cause bridging include: flowerbeds installed at the side of a building, raised footpaths or driveways and certain external renders.
Is rising damp a myth?
Many people are unsure if rising damp is a real thing, but we can assure you rising damp is categorically not a myth. Water rising upwards through brickwork and other materials via capillary action is a scientifically observable occurrence that has been documented since Roman times. Despite this, there remains a debate on whether rising damp is a myth or a fact.
The reason a number of people think rising damp doesn’t exist is largely down to the misdiagnosis of other damp problems as rising damp. Unfortunately for homeowners, a misdiagnosis will result in treatment being installed which will ultimately fail as it was not targeting the actual cause of their damp walls.
That is why it is vitally important that you ensure any damp surveyor you invite into your home has the required training and accreditations.
To understand more about rising damp check out our video below:
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What does rising damp look like?
The appearance of rising damp can be characterised by a few tell tale signs that will only be visible on the ground floor of your property. These include:
- Tide mark damp stains
- White marks left by residual salts
- Decaying skirting boards and floorboards
- Damp wallpaper, plaster or paint
- Localised patches of mould
To find out more about the signs of rising damp read the extended descriptions below:
Tide mark damp stains
The most common sign of rising damp on the inside wall is a “tide-mark” or damp staining along the bottom of the wall above the skirting boards. As the water evaporates from the brickwork, the staining appears and typically feels damp to touch. It is often accompanied with hygroscopic salts that have been absorbed into the plaster.
White marks left by residual salts
Water that rises from the ground by capillary action often contains hygroscopic salts and other contaminants that make their way from the brickwork and into internal plaster. As the water evaporates the salt fragments are left behind, leaving a residue and creating white salt deposits.
Decaying skirting boards and floorboards
Decaying skirting, floorboards and other ground floor timber can be a sign that rising damp has been left untreated for a while. This is because prolonged exposure to excess moisture in the wall can cause the germination of fungal conditions like wet rot or dry rot in timber. Any timber that is spongy, easily crumbles when touched or has visible fungus growing on it requires immediate attention.
Damp wallpaper, paint and plaster
Damp and peeling wallpaper can also be a sign of rising damp. If there is excess moisture in the walls this will transfer to the wallpaper and it will start to peel away from the wall. Excess moisture in the wall due to rising damp will also cause flaky paint or bubbling plaster. You will often find deposits of plaster and paint on the floor where it has crumbled.
Black mould on walls
Black mould can be an indication of a few forms of dampness in your property and it is most commonly a sign of condensation. However, if it is located along the ground floor skirting board and does not affect any other areas of the property, it could be a sign of rising damp.
What does rising damp look like outside?
Rising damp also shows on the external walls of a property and some of the signs are pretty similar to those that show inside, primarily tide mark damp stains and visible salt deposits that can rise to a metre high from the base of the wall.
You may also notice green and brown marks from external vegetation growth, similar to the kind of growth that occurs around broken downpipes.
Does rising damp smell?
Rising damp can create a musty smell and damp atmosphere in the property. However, rising damp does not produce a unique smell that would discern it from any other form of damp.
Is rising damp a problem?
If left untreated, rising damp can damage your walls and ruin decorative finishes. The damage will typically take the form of damp tide marks and salt deposits on the wall.
It can also lead to timber decay issues such as wet rot and in extreme cases dry rot in adjacent timbers such as skirting boards and floor boards. Finally it can lead to greater heat loss due to the increased conductivity of the walls.
Rising damp treatment
The most common method of remedial rising damp treatment is installing a damp proof course (DPC). This occurs via damp proof injection. Remedial damp proof courses are injected into specifically drilled holes in the affected wall. The damp proof injection cream works as the liquid silane and siloxane components spread by diffusion into the masonry and react with the available silica to form a waterproof barrier.
That said, before any remedial damp proof course is installed, the most important part of the rising damp treatment process must take place - diagnosis. The experts at Peter Cox will not simply assume there has been a failure with the original DPC; they will carry out an extensive damp survey to fully understand the cause of any damp in your property.
You can find out more about our rising damp treatment options and our damp survey by clicking the links below
Our rising damp reviews
We are very proud of our reputation as the UK market leaders in rising damp treatment. To see the high regard that our customers hold us in, check out our profile on respected review platform Trustpilot where we are rated “Excellent” with over 2,000 reviews.
Contact a rising damp specialist near you
If you suspect your property has a rising damp issue, then our experienced and qualified damp proofing experts are here to help.
Our specialist surveyors will be able to determine the cause of the problem and recommend the most appropriate course of action. If necessary we have a team of experienced technicians ready to get started resolving the issue for you. All our methods are approved by leading trade bodies such as Which? Trusted Trader.
Give Peter Cox a call today for some help and advice. Alternatively, book a survey online using the button below.
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