Dampness and mould are seemingly harmless issues. But the truth is, they’re far from harmless and can harbour hidden dangers within our homes.
Understanding the underlying causes, the health risks of mould and damp, and the importance of prompt treatment is crucial for maintaining a safe living space.
What Causes Mould and Damp in the Home?
Mould and damp are often by-products of excess moisture within indoor spaces. Leaky roofs are one such cause, often a consequence of damaged or improperly installed roofing allowing rainwater to seep into interior spaces of your home.
Inadequate ventilation can also be a culprit causing mould and damp. It traps moisture indoors, especially areas like the bathroom, kitchen and even basements where water vapours are naturally generated.
Even things like water ingress through cracks and gaps during heavy rains. Once water infiltrates your home, it can remain hidden within walls or under flooring, creating a damp environment that encourages mould growth. Persistent dampness from water ingress poses a serious threat to both the structural integrity and indoor air quality of your home.
When any of these factors are present and left unaddressed, they create a breeding ground for mould and damp. Timely detection and proper remediation are crucial to maintaining a dry, safe, and healthy indoor environment.
Why Is It Important to Treat Mould and Damp?
Forgetting the obvious concerns such as structural integrity and health impacts, what other problems can mould and damp cause?
A home affected by mould and damp can face decreased market value. Potential buyers are often deterred by visible signs of mould, water stains, or the musty odour associated with damp spaces. If you’re planning to sell or even rent your property, addressing mould and damp issues beforehand can maintain or even enhance your property’s value.
The long-term consequences of ignoring mould and damp are more expensive than its upfront costs. Repairing extensive structural damage, replacing compromised materials, and potential health risks of mould and damp can be financially burdensome. Treating mould and dampness proactively is a cost-effective measure, preventing larger, more expensive problems down the line.
In essence, treating mould and damp is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s about safeguarding your investment, your health, and the wellbeing of your loved ones. Taking proactive steps to address these issues ensures a safe, structurally sound, and comfortable home for years to come.
What Are the Health Risks of Mould and Damp?
Inhaling mould spores poses significant health risks. The health risks of mould and damp include a range of issues such as respiratory problems, allergies, skin irritation, and eye discomfort. Depending on the individual, these symptoms can worsen significantly with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or allergies, making them particularly vulnerable.
Prolonged exposure to mould may lead to severe health complications, emphasising the importance of timely intervention. Addressing mould and damp promptly is vital to safeguarding the wellbeing of individuals and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
How Can Atlantis Damp Help?
Atlantis Damp stands as your protector against the health risks of mould and damp. With specialised knowledge and advanced techniques, we delve into the root causes, eradicating damp and mould at the source. By choosing Atlantis Damp, you’re not just opting for a solution; you’re investing in your health and the longevity of your home.
If you’re concerned about mould and damp invading your space, act now. Curious on how to identify early signs of mould and damp? Our article on penetrating damp has everything you need to know. Reach out to us to discover customised solutions to fortify your home and protect your family.
U is for Underground Waterproofing (Cellar/Basement Conversions)
In this instalment of our A-Z of Atlantis Property Preservation, U is for Underground Waterproofing (Cellar/Basement Conversions)
Did you know that here at Atlantis Property Preservation we can help you make your cellar/ basement into a habitable space? We do this by using sumps and pumps to remove the moisture you will find in a sub-terrain environment to prevent rising damp.
We are specialists in using sumps and pumps when converting cellars/basements. With very high house prices in many areas of Cheshire, it makes sense to maximise your living space by converting a cellar/basement in your home. Therefore, some of our cellar/basement conversion include second lounges, extra bedrooms, kids play areas or office space.
Your cellar will be set either partially or completely within the ground. Consequently, your cellar will tend to suffer from damp. Whilst your cellar may never have experienced flooding, there is a possibility that this may occur in the future. By using a cavity drainage system, we ensure the water is effectively managed. A cavity drainage system is where we install a plastic dimpled membrane to the perimeter of the room that leads to a sump and a pump to discharge the water. Furthermore, the sump and pump removes the water out of your cellar, protecting your cellar from damp is a very important part of the conversion process, as rising damp could later mean all of the hard work would have to be redone after the damp is removed.
Is your basement/ cellar suitable for a conversion?
Does your cellar ever flood?
What is the access like to your cellar?
Does a staircase need to be installed, and if so is there adequate room for one?
What is the headroom in your cellar? Please bear in mind that the ceiling and the floor treatments that you will have to install will reduce the available headroom?
What are you planning to use the space for?
Is there an escape route apart from your staircase?
Is there any ventilation to your cellar or could any be provided?
If you can resolve all of these issues, then your cellar may well be suitable for conversion.
What are the stages of a basement conversion?
Initial meeting – Our surveyor, Jamie will arrive on the agreed date and time – to discuss the project requirements with you and carry out an initial survey.
Prepare the quote – Based on the discussion with you and the initial survey we prepare a quote and send it to you – normally via e-mail.
Follow up – If you haven’t contacted us already, we will call you to find out if you received the quote, if we included all the necessary works and if it was within your expectations. If you are happy with the quote, the starting date is fixed.
Works starting date – We will call you a few days in advance to confirm the starting date. Before or on the starting date we will kindly ask you for a 30% deposit – this will cover initial costs for skip, basic materials, scaffolding. Normally, the first job is to clear the site – removal of all finishes, demolition. All your personal items from the site should have been removed already.
As the works progress – Jamie, who manages the project will be visiting the site frequently. He will be checking the progress, discussing all arising questions, issues with you – making sure we follow your vision exactly as you specified it.
Finishing – As we get near to the completion, any snagging will be carried out. Once finished and you are happy with the result, the final third payment will be collected.
Feedback – As always, our ultimate goal is a happy customer – if there’s something that we could improve on we would kindly ask you for your feedback. We know that good references are essential for our business growth.
What next?
Contact us now if you are about to start your home transformation, now is the best time to get in touch with us.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
