Many home owners are troubled with damp problems that have resulted from poor maintenance of the property, poor quality workmanship, design flaws or the aging of the building materials. If this damp problem is ignored then home owners may find that it will lead to bigger, more costly issues as time goes by.
What Is Rising Damp?
This is one of the more common types of damp problems. Rising damp refers to a wall structure in which the dampness or moisture present at the bottom of the wall is more than the moisture near the top.
Tell-tale signs of rising damp:
• Stained/ tarnished wall décor
• Blistering or salting of the wall plaster
• Rotting wood
• Dampness present close to the ground
What Is Penetrating Damp?
This type of dampness is caused by moisture that comes through the wall structure from the exterior of the building.
Tell-tale signs of penetrating damp:
• Stained/ tarnished wall décor
• Blistering or salting of the wall plaster
• Rotting of wooden building structures
• Dampness is usually evident in seemingly random and unrelated spots
• Presence of mould and mildew
Helpful Damp Proofing Information
Once a home owner has identified the damp problem on their property, they can take the necessary action to rid their home of the damp and prevent further damage to their property. Damping proofing your home is the best way of achieving this.
There are many different options available to home owners when it comes to damp proofing their home. The right solution would depend on the home owner’s specific situation and budget. Just one of the following actions may be taken or a combination of the following actions may be the best solution.
• Having a damp proof course installed – these are injected with chemicals and the wall is then plastered as well.
• A damp proof membrane can be installed that will waterproof the entire structure.
• A sump pump may be installed.
• A conventional tanking system may be installed.
Redecorating After Damp Proofing
Once home has been damp proofed, you will naturally want to redecorate the areas that were once affected. It is important that all home owners follow the following guidelines if they wish to ensure the effectiveness of the dam proofing:
• Two weeks need to have passed before you may decorate any areas that were newly plastered
• Only water-based décor should be used
• Décor such as vinyl paints and wall paper can only be used after the wall has completely dried. In sever cased this may take as long as a year.