Damptek Ltd

Rising Dampness

These problems are often made worse by salts efflorescing on the surface of the wall, these salts if deliquescent or hygroscopic, can make matters worse as they will extract moisture from the air, adding to the problem of surface dampness. The obvious physical deterioration caused by rising damp and the costs involved in putting it right are problems enough, but we should also bear in mind that a cold damp house is an unhealthy environment to live in, and it is expensive to heat.

These problems can be aggravated still further, as rising damp is often the cause of both wet and dry rot, which, once stablished can spread over a wide area and will be both expensive and disruptive to eradicate.

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp can be attributable to a wide variety of causes, such building defects as cracked defective external rendering, damaged and defective water goods, i.e. down pipes and guttering, leaking roof covering, high external ground levels, badly fitted or rotten joinery etc.

Penetration of water to the external walls at low level can often be confused with rising damp and care must be taken during an inspection to accurately identify all building defects that may be contributing to dampness within the building. Again, wet and dry rot attack are often instigated by external building defects, allowing water to penetrate. It is an essential part of any inspection to accurately identify all of these problems.

Condensation

Condensation can be a major problem in buildings of modern construction, which are not adequately heated and ventilated, heat and ventilation being the key control measures with regard to condensation.

Care must be taken during an inspection not to confuse condensation with rising and penetrating damp, this can provide the surveyor with some level of difficulty, however, and there are battery-operated hygrometers available to establish where the condensation is occurring within a building. Condensation occurs when warm moisture laden air lands on cold surfaces. The point at which condensation occurs is referred to as 'dew point'. Care must be taken by the surveyor not to confuse condensation with either rising or penetrating damp. This can often be the case when condensation travels down the wall onto the skirting board causing damage at low level. Black mould growth can often be present when condensation occurs, and the most common form Asperglillus Niger, is indeed a humidity fungus and where present will always indicate that condensation has occurred.

Hygroscopic Salts

Hygroscopic salts are salts which attract water. They are found in walls which have a damp problem or have had the cause of the damp problem cured i.e., a chemical injection damp proof course installed. These salts will remain unless they are also treated as a separate problem.

They are often the result of rising damp and on completion of damp proofing treatments in a property, the moisture which is already above the level of the new damp proof course will in time evaporate, but whilst this process occurs the salts will be carried to the surface of the wall at times of high humidity. There are various chemical types of salts which come from different sources, such as, unwashed building sand, flue condensation, animal urine in stables or other buildings that are converted to living accommodation, there are also salts within the ground. Existing plasterwork which is contaminated with salt must be removed in conjunction with damp proofing treatments, and it is the reason why replastering is always necessary on completion of damp proofing treatment.

Survey, Insepction & Report

Inspection for rising damp must include consideration of all other possible causes of dampness such as leaks from defective plumbing, rain penetration, high external ground levels or condensation.

The problem initially is determined by the analysis of readings from an electronic moisture meter. Tests of this type are non-destructive.

After our inspection we will submit a report within 72hrs (usually within 48hrs) together with a Sketch Plan, clearly setting out the extent of rising damp present, and a full specification for the remedial work required together with a cost for recommended treatment.

If you wish to discuss any concerns you have regarding a possible damp problem then do not hesitate to contact us to request a survey or give us a call on 07522749936