Damp is often called the silent demon because it wreaks havoc on your home or property if it’s not treated and identified promptly. Before you can choose the best damp treatment, it’s necessary to determine which damp you’ve got. The right diagnosis ensures that you get the right treatment and control the problem successfully.
Rising Damp
Rising damp occurs when the ground water moves up into your walls, which usually happens when your DPC isn’t there or not installed correctly, or when the DPC is damaged. Signs can include damaged floorboards and skirting, salt-stained plaster, paint peeling, tide marks on the walls and crumbling plaster.
Condensation
Condensation is another form of damp and can be caused when moist air negatively affects your home’s walls. It happens because of heating problems or poor ventilation. Signs can include water droplets on your windows and walls, black mould forming, and decayed window frames.
Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is yet another kind of structural damp that’s usually caused by water leakage in the building walls. It won’t travel up the wall like rising damp but will move horizontally. Signs can include wet patches on the ceiling, floors or walls, discolouration of your walls, musty smells, and black mould development.
What To Do
If you’ve spotted any of these tell-tale signs of damp, it’s important to seek help immediately by the professionals at Aquapol. For condensation, you can try insulating the home, using a little more energy to heat it or open windows for a few minutes each day. Otherwise, professionals can come to the property and help you determine which damp problem you have and what the best method is for fixing the situation. They may be able to replace your DPC or may use chemicals to seal the cracks and crevices.
