Rising damp is a common problem in older buildings and homes, and it can be quite damaging if left unchecked. Here’s how to spot rising damp, the different causes of rising damp, and some ways to fix your rising damp problem and avoid expensive structural damage to your home. If you suspect that you might have a rising damp in your house, read on to know further this informative article to have an overall better understanding.
What Is Rising Damp? Here Is All You Need To Know About
When you hear about a house being affected by ‘rising damp’, it is usually more of a problem associated with older houses which tend to have been built on permeable materials. Rising damp can occur when groundwater rises through masonry walls and structural timberwork, causing damage and possible rot. And although most people are used to hearing about rising damp affecting homes near rivers or streams, it can also affect many different structures – even property situated in areas where there isn’t any water nearby.
What Causes A Rising Damp?
A rising damp mainly occurs when water is absorbed through a wall and then causes it to expand. This expansion means that water, being slightly acidic, will corrode any solid materials within reach, hence Rising Damp. In most cases, affected walls are made of brick or stone as these are porous building materials. Brick, especially old and rusty ones (you can tell by their blackened look), absorb much more moisture than new or well-maintained bricks do.
What Are The Signs of A Rising Damp?
While a rising damp isn’t necessarily dangerous, it is a common problem. This is caused by poor building design and construction and can manifest itself in a variety of ways: ground floor walls covered in condensation, windows that stick, lack of structural stability, amongst others. Let’s take a look at what causes Rising Damp and how you can go about fixing it.
Where Does A Rising Damp Occur?
Rising Damp can be found in old buildings, because of their soft and porous brickwork. Once moisture finds its way into a building, it’s usually an indicator that there is a structural weakness somewhere. Commonly, Rising Damp will occur in walls that are not load-bearing, or have been opened up after 100 years of service.
Fixing A Rising Damp- Points To Note
When it comes to fixing a rising damp, it is advised that you carefully inspect your walls and look for patches on them. Look carefully at cracks in plaster and note whether they radiate out from a single point or are dispersed around, as these may be signs of localized rising damp. To check if you have problems with rising damp, mix some wet plaster together, shape it into a ball (wet your hands first), then place it on the wall where you think there is a problem.
Cost To Fix A Rising Damp
The cost of fixing rising damp, like many other things, depends on a number of factors. The biggest factor is how much time and money you are willing to spend. If you want a longer lasting solution then it might be worth considering hiring professionals in this field who have years of experience and can give you the assurance to fixing rising damp with utmost professionalism.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, if a rising damp remains unnoticed, the overall foundation of your home can be damaged from inside. However, such problems will no longer bother you once you leave it to the hands of professionals. Hiring experts for rising damp helpful solutions that can give you complete peace of mind at the times of emergencies.
