Have you ever seen those unsightly damp stains on the walls of your home? Have you ever wondered what it is and how it could affect your health and the structure of your home? These stains could be the result of a phenomenon known as rising damp.
Understanding rising damp: Why is rising damp in your home?
Explanation of the phenomenon: Ascent of soil moisture through porous materials
You may be wondering why your walls look so damp, even when it’s not raining outside. Let me introduce you to the culprit: rising damp. This is a strange process where moisture from the ground literally rises up and penetrate the masonry of your home (through the capillaries of the different building materials such as bricks, or the stones, or the concrete). It’s a bit like your house is having an insatiable thirst and absorbing water from the ground.
Favouring factors: Clay soils, poor ventilation, poor or non-existent waterproofing …
Now you may be wondering why this happens. Well, there are a number of factors that can contribute to rising damp. Firstly, clay soils tend to retain a lot of water, which provides a constant source of moisture to fuel this process. Secondly, poor ventilation in your home can help trap internal moisture, making it more likely to ingress into your walls. Finally, cracks in foundations or walls can make it easier for water to find its way inside your home.
The signs of damp in your home: How can you detect rising damp?
Deterioration of materials: crumbling and bubbling plaster, peeling paint or wallpaper, rotten skirting or timber flooring, …
Have you noticed that your plaster is starting to crumble or that the paint on your walls is starting to peel? These are classic signs of damp due to rising damp. Moisture that seeps through walls can damage building materials and wall surface by weakening them and causing cracks and deterioration.
Persistent dampness in the walls
Another frequently encountered indication is a persistent damp feeling in your walls. Even if you don’t see any visible damp patches, if your walls still feel damp to the touch, this could indicate a rising damp problem.
Mouldy smells
Mouldy smells are hard to ignore and can be a clear sign of damp problems in your home. Excessive damp encourages the growth of mould, which can not only cause unpleasant odours, but also represent a health risk to your family.
Saltpetre or crystal slats on the walls
If you notice white or grey deposits on your walls, especially near the floor, you are most likely dealing with saltpetre. Saltpetre is another common indicator of rising damp, as it forms when water rises through porous materials, leaving behind mineral salts (nitrate and sulfate).
The consequences of rising damp: How does it affect our health and our homes?
Health: Allergies, respiratory problems…
Rising damp is not just an aesthetic problem in our homes, it can also have a serious impact on our health. Excessive humidity in the air can encourage the growth of mould, which can trigger allergies for sensitive people. What’s more, constantly breathing damp air can aggravate existing respiratory problems, such as asthma.
On the structure of the building: Fragility of materials, risk of cracks, deterioration of foundations…
As well as affecting our health, rising damp can also cause structural damage to our homes. Constant damp can weaken building materials such as bricks and concrete, making them more prone to cracking and deterioration. Worst, excessive moisture in the ground can damage the foundations of the house, which can compromise the stability of the entire structure.
When should you take rising damp seriously? Don’t delay the process of protecting your home!
As soon as the first signs appear: Prevention is better than cure
As soon as you notice the first signs of damp in your home, such as damp patches on the walls, musty smells or crumbling materials, it’s crucial to act quickly. Preventing rising damp problems as soon as they appear can save you from costly structural damage and protect your family’s health.
During renovation work: Take the opportunity to diagnose and treat rising damp
If you’re planning to renovate your home, this is the ideal time to diagnose and treat rising damp. Take the opportunity to have your walls inspected by a professional and consider treatment solutions such as DPC Injection or installing damp proof course. By treating rising damp during renovation work, you can avoid additional costs and future disruption.
Steps in diagnosing rising damp: How do you identify and treat the problem?
Visual inspection of walls and floors
The first step in diagnosing rising damp is a visual inspection of your walls and floors. Look for signs of damp, such as damp stains, mould, traces of saltpetre or crumbling materials. If you notice any of these visible signs, it’s likely that you’re dealing with rising damp.
Using humidity measuring tools
For a more accurate assessment, the use of a humidity meter or a mineral salt analysis is recommended. These tools can detect moisture or the presence of saltpetre in building materials and provide objective data on the extent of the problem. A high level of humidity or the presence of mineral salts (Nitrate and/ or Sulfate) often indicates the presence of rising damp.
Analysis of potential causes: sealing, ventilation, drainage…
Once the signs of damp have been identified, it is important to analyse the potential causes of the problem. This could include leaks in the foundations or walls, poor ventilation or poor drainage around the house. By understanding the contributing factors, you can take actions to treat effectively your rising damp issue.
Possible solutions to rising damp: Protect your home effectively!
When it comes to treating rising damp, there are a number of solutions available to effectively protect your walls against damp. DPC Injection is often used to create a horizontal barrier in walls, preventing water from rising through porous materials above this barrier. The installation of waterproof membranes is another popular option, offering additional protection against damp. Another solution is also recommended/ a new technology called polarity inverter, known to be more efficient than traditional DPC injection and also allowing to treat and stop rising damp permanently.
Good ventilation is essential to prevent the build-up of damp in your home. Make sure you air out your rooms regularly by opening the windows, especially after showering or cooking. If necessary, consider installing a CMV (Controlled Mechanical Ventilation) to allow constant air circulation and reduce humidity.
Finally, fixing any waterproofing defects in your home can also help reduce rising damp. Regularly check the seals around your windows and doors, as well as the exterior facades of your home. Make sure they are in good condition and repair them if necessary to prevent water from penetrating inside.
Conclusion: Summary of the issues and actions to be taken
Rising damp is much more than just an aesthetic problem in our homes; it can have serious consequences for our health and the integrity of the building structure. It’s essential to act quickly at the first signs of damp to protect the health of the occupants and the structure of the house.
Acting early not only limits the damage, but also reduces potential repair costs in the long term. By carrying out an early diagnosis, we can identify rising damp problems and put in place appropriate solutions to treat them effectively.
It’s vital to understand that rising damp is not a problem to be taken lightly. Ignoring the signs of damp can lead to serious structural damage and health problems for the occupants of the house.
