One of the most common issues that homeowners face is damp. Whether you live in a new build or an old house, in an apartment, or in a bungalow, damp can occur anywhere and at any time. What’s more, it can happen in any room in your home. Many people assume damp is nothing more than wet walls and a bit of peeling paint, but it is in fact a more serious issue. Depending on the type of damp your home is suffering from, there could be severe implications for the structure of your house, and your health, too. Those who suffer from eczema or asthma might find that their conditions are irritated and worsened by the presence of damp. In this article, we’ll let you know that how to get rid of damp smell and other related issues? Read more….
Causes of condensation and humidity in your home
- inadequate ventilation and/or heating.
- Leaks and seepage from the exterior allowing water to enter
- Rising damp is when moisture from the ground seeps through the structure’s fabric.
- High amounts of indoor humidity and water vapour production.
Types of Damp:
In order to prevent damp, you first need to understand the different types. There are three main types of damp that affect homes, as listed below.
- Condensation
This is one of the most common types of damp that most homeowners will suffer from at some point. Characteristics include black mold on the ceiling and walls, wet walls or windowpanes, and a musty smell. It is mostly caused by poor ventilation and is common in bathrooms and kitchens, but it can occur anywhere in the home, including in bedrooms and living rooms.
- Rising Damp
Rising damp mostly affects older properties, but it’s not exclusive to them. It is caused when groundwater soaks through the walls of your house, and for this reason, it’s more common in winter. It doesn’t usually extend further than 1.5m due to gravity, so if you notice damp on the lower half of your ground-level walls with moss or moisture bands of salt, it could be rising damp.
- Penetrating Damp
Faulty guttering, misplaced roof tiles, and unsealed doors or windows can cause penetrating damp. Look out for leaks, damp patches, and mold, especially on ceilings or the upper parts of a wall.
Preventing Damp:
Although there may be instances where you won’t be able to stop damp from happening e.g. if a roof tile slips in a storm, there are a number of ways you can prevent it.
- Basement Tanking
Reduce the risk of rising damp by ensuring your DPC is up to date, and if you have a cellar, get it tanked. The cost of tanking a cellar is considerably less than the price of fixing the damage that could be caused if you don’t. This should drastically reduce the chances of your home falling victim to rising damp.
- Ventilation
The number one cause of condensation is poor ventilation, especially in winter. It’s important that you open your windows every day for at least 30 minutes to allow moisture in your home to escape and to let fresh air in. In winter this might sound unappealing because the weather will be cold, but when you consider excess moisture caused by central heating, it’s all the more important. At the very least, open the windows in your kitchen and bathroom when you cook and shower to let the steam out.
- Extractor Fans
In a similar fashion to opening windows, use an extractor fan when you cook and shower. This will aid ventilation and the removal of moisture, preventing the risk of condensation. It’s a good idea to leave the extractor fan on for a little while after you’ve finished bathing and cooking.
- Gutter Maintenance
One of the main culprits for penetrating damp is blocked guttering. For this reason, reduce the chances of an issue occurring by regularly clearing your gutters and making sure it’s all in good working order. You may want to undertake more regular checks in autumn to account for an increase in leafy debris which could prove to be problematic. You’ll also want to keep an eye on it in winter to make sure frozen water doesn’t expand and block or break the guttering.
Summary:
These are the basic foundations of preventing damp in your home, but you can further aid your efforts with the likes of air purifiers and keeping furniture away from radiators.
