Have you noticed damp patches on your walls or mold growing in your home? Don’t panic, but it’s time to shed some light on a crucial issue: water ingress and rising damp. Understanding the difference between these two problems can make all the difference to effectively resolving the damp coming in your living space. Our aim here is to shed light on these topics and provide you with practical advice so that you can leave in a healthy environment.
Water ingress: causes and identification
Water ingress may sound like a complicated word, but basically, it’s when the water comes into your home uninvited. It can happen through cracks in the walls, faulty joints or even problems with the roof.
So why does this happen? Well, there could be several reasons. Problems with your roof, loose joints around doors and windows, cracks in the walls or poorly sealed pipes can all let water through and cause water ingress.
To know if you’re dealing with water ingress, you need to pay attention to different signs. Water stains on the walls or ceiling, traces of mold starting to develop, or even musty smells – these are signs not to be overlooked.
Solutions to treat water ingress
Now that we’ve identified the water ingress problem, it’s time to act and find solutions. Don’t worry, we’ve got some practical tips to help you get things under control.
Repairing damaged roofs
One of the main causes of water ingress is often a roof in poor condition. Broken or missing tiles, leaking joints or chimneys can allow water to seep into your home. So, the first step is to carefully inspect your roof and repair any damaged areas. This may require the intervention of a specialised company, but it’s well worth it to prevent future water ingress, or more damage.
Sealing cracks and seams
Cracks in walls or faulty seals around doors and windows are also potential entry points for water. So, it’s important to seal them properly to prevent any ingress. You can use a waterproof sealant, or a caulking product specially designed for this purpose. Be sure to check the condition of the caulking regularly and replace it if necessary.
Regular inspection of potential water entry points
Finally, to prevent water ingress, it’s essential to carry out regular inspections of your home to identify any potential water entry points. This includes gutters and downpipes, ventilation ducts and openings around doors and windows. Make sure everything is in good working order and carry out any necessary repairs as soon as you spot a problem.
By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of water ingress into your home and protect your living space from water damage. Remember to be vigilant and act quickly if you notice any signs of water ingress, because the sooner you act, the less damage there will be.
Rising damp: causes and identification
Now we’re going to talk about rising damp. But what exactly is capillary rise? Well, imagine that your house has ‘capillaries’ like plants, but in reverse. Instead of drawing water from the ground, rising damp in the walls or in foundations cause the water to rise upwards, sometimes as far as the walls themselves.
Common causes of rising damp
Why does this happen? There could be several reasons. Faulty foundation waterproofing, porous building materials that absorb water like a sponge, or a geological fault underneath the house, or a high-water table below the foundations that pushes water upwards all of these factors can contribute to this phenomenon.
Rising damp signs
How do you know if your house is affected by rising damp? Look at the walls of your house. If you see damp patches that seem to be rising upwards, or even crystal salt deposits on the surface of the walls called saltpetre, or irregular tide marks, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with rising damp.
Now that you know what you need to know about rising damp, you have a better understanding of what it is, how to identify it. In our next section, we’ll talk about solutions to treat this undesirable rising water and protect your home from damp.
Solutions to treat rising damp
If you have rising damp in your home, don’t worry, we have a few solutions to help you solve the problem.
Installation of an electromagnetic or geomagnetic polarity inverter
The best modern and innovative solution to treat rising damp is to install an electromagnetic or geomagnetic polarity inverter. These devices are specifically designed to stop rising damp permanently. The electromagnetic polarity inverter uses an efficient technology based on very low audio frequencies to inverter the polarity of the water molecules trapped in the masonry and dry out the walls and foundations. The geomagnetic polarity inverter uses the electromagnetic field of the earth to stop the water molecule from entering the house through the foundations and preventing it from rising any further up. It’s an environmentally friendly, chemical-free solution.
DPC injection – Injecting chemicals into the walls
A common solution to treat rising damp is DPC injection. Water-repellent creams are injected into holes directly drilled in the walls. The chemicals create an impermeable horizontal barrier to block the water to rise above it. But this solution only treats 70% of the problem, requires heavy invasive work and has a limited lifespan.
Drainage improvements around the house
To prevent rising damp, it’s also important to improve the drainage around your home. Make sure that gutters and downpipes are in good working order and that water is directed away from the foundation. This will help reduce pressure on the walls and prevent water ingress.
Provide proper ventilation
Finally, make sure you have an efficient ventilation system in your home. Good air circulation can help to remove damp and prevent condensation problems, which can also help with reducing rising damp.
By choosing these solutions, you can effectively reduce rising damp in your home and protect your living space from damp damage.
Professional advice in case of doubt or ongoing problems
Finally, if you have any doubts about the state of your home, or if you are experiencing persistent damp problems despite your best efforts, it’s important to contact a professional. An expert will be able to assess the situation and suggest solutions tailored to your needs.
In this exploration of water ingress and rising damp, we’ve discovered the importance of differentiating between these two phenomena to treat them in a better way and protect your home from the damage caused by damp. It is crucial to recognise the difference between water ingress, which occurs when water enters the home through defects in the structure, and rising damp, which occurs when water is absorbed by the building materials from the foundations and rises up through the walls. Understanding these distinctions allows us to choose the best treatment and prevention strategies for each situation.
Thank you for joining us in this exploration of water ingress and rising damp. We hope you find the information provided useful in your battle against damp and that your home remains dry, sound and comfortable to live in for years to come.
