A house is a home, but also an investment. Regular maintenance and improvements will ensure an increase to the value of your property. Damp is something that no one wants to find in their home; not only unsightly and potentially damaging to your property, it can also be harmful to your health. Some people are more sensitive to damp than others, with the main risk groups being the children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory and skin problems such as eczema and asthma. Depending on the type of mould present, there may be allergens, irritants and even toxins present in a property. Inhaling or touching these can cause adverse reactions.
Basements, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most common areas where damp is found, but what types of damp are there, how can we identify the problem and what can we do to protect our homes?
Condensation
This most common form of damp can be easily identified by a characteristic green mould. Another dead give-away is the appearance of water droplets on the inside of windows. Condensation is caused by the presence of too much moisture in the air and the easiest method of prevention is reducing the amount of moisture present by avoiding drying clothes in that area. Long term options include investing in better insulation and installing extractor fans.
Rising damp
Caused by the slow upward movement of water through porous building materials such as brick, sandstone and mortar, rising damp can cause skirting boards and walls to become stained and crumbly and is usually the result of ineffective damp-proofing. To prevent this in your home, ensure your damp-proof course is installed above ground level. If rising damp is discovered, there are many options for treatment, from injection of liquid damp-proofing to land drainage.
Penetrating damp
Identified by dark patches on interior walls and peeling paint on exterior walls, penetrating damp may be particularly bad during rainy weather. This is usually the result of faulty gutters, downpipes and flashing, which allow rainwater through to your roof and ceiling. Keep your guttering in good maintenance to avoid this type of damp.
Whilst investing in damp prevention will increase the comfort and wellbeing of your family, it will also ensure your property value for years to come.
Find out how to protect your home against damp here at Lets Fix It. We have all the latest advice from UK leading experts. View for full details here today!