Penetrating Damp
This issue can occur as a result of problems with the fabric of the building that can allow water to penetrate through the walls or floors. It is quite often the case with in walls of solid wall construction. Typical defects leading to penetrating damp are defective guttering or pipes, faulty flashings, poor pointing, cracked rendering and built-up external ground levels.
At first, it may be difficult to properly identify the problem as initial symptoms may be completely misleading. If it manages to escape our attention, it may continue to worsen and slowly spread throughout the house, putting the whole building into considerable danger.
Symptoms of penetrating damp
One of the first signs is often the appearance of unpleasant, moist patches on walls, ceilings or floors. These tend to grow or darken after periods of heavy or prolonged rain.
The long-term effects of water penetration can include damage to decoration and plaster, decay in exposed timber, and mould growth.
This type of problem is most common in older homes that have solid walls whereas new build property with cavity walls offers more protection against wind-driven rain.
Key warning signs to look out for in your property include:
- Damage to the exterior of the building,
- Peeling plaster,
- A moist, unpleasant smell,
- Formation of black mould,
- Drips or puddles indoors,
- Moist patches on the walls or ceiling.
Although, if your property is exposed to excessive moisture entering through cracks and other small openings, symptoms can take a few weeks or even months to appear. Therefore, the sooner you can properly identify the issue, the sooner you can have the problem assessed and treated.
Causes of penetrating damp
It is usually the result of water ingress through a fault in the building. Some of the most common building defects that cause penetrating damp include:
- Leaks in gutters and/or downpipes
- Old porous brickwork
- Defective pointing
- Ineffective/faulty drip grooves under window sills
- Defective seals around doors and window
Properties with cavity wall insulation also suffer from penetrating damp as a result of absorbent masonry or any cracks or fractures in the external wall that allow water penetration. Once the water is trapped inside, the cavity wall insulation becomes wet. It then acts as a bridge between the outside wall and inside wall leading to the symptoms mentioned above.
How to treat penetrating damp
There are various methods of treating this issue, with some of the main solutions including using water repellent on the external brickwork or installing a damp-proof membrane.
However, when the problem occurs, it is important that an effective assessment is taken to ensure the correct treatment method is applied. To do this, it is essential to identify the source of the problem to ensure that it doesn’t develop further.
Once the source of the problem has been identified, you can then be reassured that the correct action has been taken and understand how to prevent this situation from happening again in the future.
How we can help you
At Atlantis Property Preservation, we have experts who can identify the problem and find a solution that will not only resolve the issue but prevent it reoccurring in the future.
Our surveyors will fully investigate the causes of excessive moisture within your property and explore the suitable method of treatment. All of the results and feedback will be provided in a full written report, along with recommendations and details of the cost.
We don’t confuse our customers with jargon and we give an honest approach regarding the assessment of your property to give you all the options available to you.
We understand the concerns you may have when tackling aspects of your property and so we make sure our customers are fully aware of the process implemented to resolve the issue in your property.
If you have any concerns regarding penetrating damp in your property, our expert team will be able to advise you on the best action to take. Give us a call today on 0800 0988 277 or email us at atlantisdamp@gmail.com for more information.
