All too often around South Yorkshire, we find rising damp and the effects of it in properties. This how-to guide of damp proofing and rising damp should help you in identifying rising damp in your property and limiting the effects it can have.
What is Rising Damp?
Rising damp is the process of moisture from below ground level rising through the wall of a structure in search of a place to evaporate. The moisture rises through the porous nature of bricks and mortar in a similar way to how water is absorbed by a sponge. It stops rising through a wall at either the point where it finds a route above ground to evaporate, or it is suppressed by gravity.
The main cause of rising damp is through either a faulty Damp Proof Course (DPC) or broken parts of the walls and foundations such as bricks or pointing in the walls. Either of these will allow water to penetrate the outer surface and rise up within the structure.
Signs of Rising Damp
Tide and Water Marks
Tide marks are left on walls when moisture rises through the structure and then evaporates leaving traces and salts behind on the wall surface. You will normally notice these marks up to a meter above the level of your flooring. These can also be seen as damp patches and stain marks on the walls which can appear to be yellow in colour.
Peeling Wallpaper
Peeling wallpaper can be one of the most obvious signs of damp on internal walls. It is likely to be most noticeable in the corner of a room where the paper joins or just above a skirting board where it can turn up and curl as the moisture dries out of the paper.
Decaying Timbers
Various timbers throughout a property can also be affected by high levels of moisture above ground through rising damp. Skirting boards are one of the most common areas to find timber decay in a home. As damp rises through the wall this is the first area is it likely to come into contact with, causing the wet rot normally visible. It is also likely you will see the effects of this on door frames and occasionally on wooden joists and floorboards.
Visible Salts
As moisture evaporates from the walls, it leaves behind previously dissolved salts. These have risen through the wall and are left behind once the water has gone leaving visible white marks on the wall surface.
Frequently Asked Questions on Rising Damp
Is Rising Damp A Problem?
Yes. Rising damp means that somewhere, your damp proof course has failed. Depending on the age of the property this is normal, and can be fixed easily providing it is caught early. Your DPC could be a number of water-resistant materials from plastic to slate, once this is breached there is nothing to stop moisture permeating through and damaging internal walls.
Can Rising Damp Dry Out?
The visible signs of rising damp can dry out on their own, for example, damp patches on plasterwork. It may be beneficial to add a dehumidifier to the problem area, if this does not sufficiently remove the moisture after a few days you may not have found the correct moisture entry point.
Even if you believe the moisture can dry out it is still worth having a home survey to inspect for any non-visible damage which could reoccur in the future.
How Do I Treat Rising Damp?
Any kind of damp has the potential to damage your properties structure. It is essential you get seek professional advice to treat the problem.
While DIY solutions are available, we would always recommend contacting a professional to ensure you remove all elements of damp from your property as well as the root cause of the issue. This can often be below ground with rising damp and includes more work than many DIY enthusiasts anticipate from the beginning.
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