Damp

Image of penetrating damp from Rentokil

Damp can affect any home or property for a number of reasons. Damp problems may be caused by:

  • Lack of maintenance
  • Poor build quality
  • Design defects
  • Deterioration of building fabric

If damp is left untreated it will only get worse and be expensive to rectify the longer the problem is ignored.

Untreated dampness may also cause other problems like dry rot or wet rot. The longer damp is left untreated, the more damage it may cause to internal decorations and disruption to homeowners.

At Rentokil Property Care we provide damp proofing services for the problems of rising damp, penetrating damp and waterproofing & tanking for damp basements.

 

Damp Problems in the Home

Worried about damp walls? Damp may not be very obvious to spot at first. There are a number of signs to look for, which may indicate a problem:

  • Damp smell
  • Damp mould – starting to form on walls
  • Staining of wall coverings
  • Rust marks – on skirting boards, where nails / screws may be present
  • Rusting on angle beads – on corners of plasterwork

Common places in the home where damp is most likely to occur are ground floor walls, either through rising damp or high ground levels, or poor drainage.

 

Causes of Damp

Generally it is the penetration of water inside the home which is the main cause of damp. A house must be kept watertight to try and avoid damp problems.

  • Any leaks or damage to roofs, windows and doors could contribute to a damp problem later on.

Water can also penetrate the home from ground level rising up inside the walls, both internal and external walls.

  • Failure in a damp proof course is often a big contributing factor
  • Blocked sub floor air vents can create a damp environment under floors.
 

Preventing Damp Problems

There are a number of jobs you can carry out around the home to try to prevent a future damp problem.

  • Ensure external roofs, gutters, down pipes & drains are clear from debris
  • Maintain external ground levels at least 150mm below the damp proof course
  • Keep all air vents free from obstruction to allow ventilation under timber floors
  • Repair any external render and cracked or damaged pointing

In addition, you should regularly check for signs of damp:

  • Check for sings of dampness on internal surfaces of ground floor walls
  • Check walls behind furniture, curtains or sofas for any stains on wall coverings
  • Look out for the appearance of mould on walls

Treating Damp Professionally

Every damp problem is different. The most effective way to treat damp is to first find the cause and then determine if it is rising damp or penetrating damp.

A thorough inspection of the problem by a qualified surveyor will first be necessary and then recommendations can be made for the most effective way to treat the damp problem.

The Property Care Association (PCA) is an industry body that governs the quality of member companies to ensure high standards are maintained. Rentokil Property Care is a member of the PCA.

Surveyors should be qualified to CSRT standard for dampness & timber surveys and to CSSW standard for structural waterproofing.

Contact Rentokil Property Care on 0800 0121 437 for further advice on damp problems or to arrange a visit by a surveyor.

Rentokil can also provide information on how to get rid of condensation to avoid potential damp problems.