Damp Proofing: Everything you Need to Know

If you find damp in your home it can be worrying, no matter how small the problem seems to be. Most homeowners don’t want to ever have to deal with damp proofing, and for this reason, lots of them don’t know what damp proofing involves. It’s best not to bury your head in the sand and get yourself clued up on damp and damp proofing so you can deal with a situation in your home if it arises.

Signs you have a damp problem

Typical signs of damp include:

  • Visible damp or mould on walls
  • Walls feeling wet and cold

If you notice either of these signs, it’s best to call a damp proofing professional who can tell you how big the problem is. Luckily, not all cases of damp are expensive to repair. Just make sure you ask an expert to check the problem before it can get any worse.

Types of damp

There are three main types of damp: penetrating damp, damp caused by condensation and rising damp. A damp proofing contractor will be able to tell you which one is causing your problem very quickly.

Penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is caused generally by something that is leaking, such as a pipe, roof or gutter. Usually if you fix the leaky object the damp will resolve, but sometimes you may need damp proofing to stop the problem happening again. This is especially true if the external ground level is the cause or if you have a basement.

Damp caused by condensation
Damp caused by condensation is easy to identify and a professional can quickly sort the problem. It’s usually caused by lack of ventilation and it may look like mould in the kitchen or bathroom. You might need to redecorate the area where the mould or damp appeared, but once you’ve fixed the cause the problem should go away.

Rising damp
Rising damp is the type of damp most homeowners dread, as it is the most difficult type to eradicate. It can be caused by a faulty damp proof course in your external walls or if you don’t have one at all. Leaking pipes at the base of the wall, or previous damp problems that have made water pool at the base of the wall, can also cause rising damp. You will most likely need to repair your damp proof course if you have rising damp.

What is a damp proof course?

The damp proof course is a layer of slate or plastic material that a contractor lays between the bricks near to ground level, which will stop damp rising from the ground up through your walls. If you need a new damp proof course, a damp proofing professional will usually inject chemicals just above ground level.

If you’re worried about damp and think you may need some damp proofing work done, use our service to find up to four quotes from expert damp proofing professionals to give you a quote for any work you need carrying out.

Emily Rivers

Emily Rivers is the Customer Experience Manager at Quotatis. She informs customers of the latest developments in a range of products so they can make the best choice for their homes and ensures they get the best out of our service.