If you suspect you have some kind of damp problem, but aren’t sure how to fix it, then call TDT Preservation. Established in 1967 we’re professional damp specialists who can be relied on to identify the problem and provide damp solutions where necessary for your property. Our damp proofing experts (d.p.e) operate in Somerset and throughout the South West treating residential as well as commercial, public and national trust properties. Jump online and Book a Survey today or call us on 01761 416 728.
How to treat penetrating damp
How to solve pd? Depending on the severity of your penetrating damp problem, you may be able to nip it in the bud with some DIY tips. First you need to identify where the water is entering the property so do some scouting around to see if anything looks broken, damaged or poorly installed.
Make sure you check the following potential property problems so you can eliminate them as being the culprit:
- Roof – check for missing slates or cracked tiles
- Gutters/pipes – check for leaky, broken or blocked gutters / downpipes
- Masonry – check for cracked or damaged pointing
- Rendering – check for cracks
- Windows/doors – check for poor installation and faulty seals
- Chimney breast – check for damp patches
- Porous walls – check for ageing bricks
- Plumbing – check for puddles, leaks and drips.
- Damp proof course – damage to existing DPC.
Once you’ve identified the moisture source you can go about rectifying the issue. This may require a builder or plumber if the problem is beyond your DIY skills. Your local damp specialists will also be able to take a look and suggest a course of action to cut off the moisture supply and prevent further water ingress.
Hold off on any repair works until the property has had a chance to dry out so you can see if there is any noticeable damage. You may want to get a professional opinion from TDT Preservation if you think there could be black mould growth or dry rot.
If you get the all clear then you can repair damaged plaster and repaint. If not then the black mould will need to be carefully removed and/or undergo timber rot treatment. Remember, the longer you leave a penetrating damp problem, the more expensive it is to repair.
How to identify penetrating damp
Identifying penetrating damp (pd) isn’t too difficult if you know what you’re looking for. Here are 7 common telltale signs of pd that mean you need damp solutions quick smart.
- A damp patch (or patches) on ceilings and walls that increase or darken when it rains
- A damp stain on external walls
- Water drips or puddles on ceilings, walls and floor
- Rooms that feel unusually cold or smell musty
- Plaster that’s blistered, disintegrating or crumbly
- Patches of black mould or mildew on walls or skirtings
- Rotting floorboards or skirtings.
Identifying building defects and penetrating damp swiftly is important as if ignored it can lead to dry rot infestation, as well as skin and respiratory problems for the property’s occupants, particularly if they’re young or elderly.
What causes penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp is most typically caused by building defects that allow water ingress. The problem can become worse during periods of heavy rain and cause patches of damp on internal walls to increase in size. Building maintenance, therefore, is important to ensure that leaky pipes are fixed or damaged brickwork repaired so there is less risk of penetrating damp occurring.
Some common building defects to look out for include:
- Leaky gutters and/or downpipes
- Faulty roofing
- Defective plumbing
- Cracks or fractures in masonry
- Crumbling or damaged brickwork
- Porous bricks
- Defective brickwork pointing
- Drip grooves not adequate under sills
- Defective door and window seals.
If you can see symptoms of penetrating damp, e.g water damage to external and/or internal walls then you’ll know that moisture has permeated the property by one of these methods. The best way to treat penetrating damp in this case to contact damp proofing experts (d.p.e) who can advise you on the right course of treatment.
Problems associated with penetrating damp
If left to its own devices penetrating damp can cause a multitude of problems even if the water doesn’t seep all the way inside a property. Typically older buildings are affected by penetrating damp but new build properties can be too if they have: defective pointing, porous brickwork, cracks in the render or defective gutters.
Typical problems with penetrating damp include:
- Wet rot
- Dry rot
- Black mould growth
- Moss growth
- Damp plasterwork
- Increased heat loss
- Damp musty smells
- Frost damage to masonry
- Unsightly water damage
- Damp wall insulation.
Wondering how to solve pd? Get in touch with our penetrating damp specialists to ensure you receive the right penetrating damp treatment and to prevent any further damage.
What is penetrating damp
What is penetrating damp (pd)? Penetrating damp, or water ingress, is when moisture permeates through a property’s walls from the outside. This can be from blocked or leaky guttering, broken pipes, roof defects or abutting garden walls / flowerbeds.
Unlike rising damp it can occur at any level within the property and affects walls, ceilings and roofs. Also, unlike rising damp, penetrating damp can affect properties of any age with solid brick or stone walls. Though newer properties with cavity walls are less likely to encounter this damp issue.
Visible signs of pd include:
- Damp patch or patches on internal wall
- Discolouration paintwork or wallpaper
- Peeling / flaking of paintwork or wallpaper
- Moss growth
Regular maintenance such as clearing gutters and fixing leaks will identify problems before they get out of hand. But if serious ingress occurs because of building defects, such as cracks in the render, an external damp proof wall treatment may be necessary. Your local damp specialists TDT Preservation can advise.
How to install a damp proof course
Do you have damp patches on external or internal walls? Mould? Rotten floorboards? If you have an older property, you may need a damp proof course to prevent rising damp or penetrating damp.
A damp proof course is a physical barrier inserted horizontally or vertically to stop water from rising up through a wall (rising damp) or from passing outside to inside through the masonry (penetrating damp).
Building construction regulations require damp waterproofing to be installed 6 inches above ground level. This is a plastic membrane which acts to stop water rising up into the house. In the past a non porous course of stone was used but over time this can become broken or porous, allowing water to seep through.
New methods of damp proof injection mean that you can install damp control materials yourself if you have some knowledge of DIY. This involves drilling holes between 10 and 12 mm in diameter into your wall, blowing out the dust and injecting a chemical damp proof course which comes in the form of a cream. Over a few months a water repellent layer is formed and the wall above the damp proof course will dry out.
If you don’t want to do the job yourself, you’re best to use a professional like TDT preservation. This way you know that the materials used are covered by certificates issued by the British Board of Agrément and BSI. Professional damp proofers will also be able to identify the damp problem and apply the correct damp solutions. If a damp proof course isn’t identified and installed properly the problem will persist.
How to treat rising damp
It’s important that the causes of rising damp are correctly identified so it can properly treated. If the fundamental causes of the problem aren’t addressed, then the damp will resurface. A quick-fix by painting or re-plastering is ignoring a larger problem, and one which will be more expensive in the long term.
If your home doesn’t have an existing damp proof course, then a damp proof course can be installed. This is done by drilling holes horizontally in both sides of the wall and injecting damp proofing materials into the walls. This material disperses to create a waterproof barrier to stop the capillary action of water rising through the masonry.
If you already have a damp proof course that is being breached by a structure and that you can’t move, then you can install new damp proofing above the structure instead.
Timber Decay Treatment are damp proofing experts (d.p.e), the damp proofing injection materials we use are covered by certificates issued by the British Board of Agrément and BSI.
How to find out what is causing my rising damp
If you suspect you have rising damp then you should first try to determine where the moisture is coming from. If you have a damp proof course, check that no structures are bridging it, e.g outside steps or a neighbours property.
Is rainwater draining away from your property or are there surfaces carrying water to a level higher than that of your damp proof course? Check for drain pipes, guttering, roofing and flashing that is broken or blocked, is water collecting at the base of your walls?
Often the source of moisture is easily identified and is simply a matter of fixing drain pipes and guttering. If damp has compromised walls and floors then rotten internal woodwork will need to be removed and replaced. A new damp proof course should be installed to prevent further damage.
If you’re not sure what is causing your rising damp, call in damp specialists will to undertake an inspection and advise on the best course of action.
Signs of Rising Damp
Unlike woodworm which you may not know you have, rising damp is visually apparent in walls, skirting boards or timber. Do I have rd? Signs of rd are usually easy to spot. Check if you have any of these signs of rd:
- Dark yellow or brown horizontal tide line on exterior or interior walls
- Patches of damp on internal walls
- Peeling or blistered paint or wallpaper
- Stained or crumbling plasterwork
- Damp smell or musty odour and
- Rotting of timber floorboards.
Other signs of rd can be the crystalline deposit of salts (efflorescence) on concrete, stone or brick. This is when water evaporates from your walls and leaves salt deposits behind.
Green, black and white spots of mould that appear on damp walls are also signs of rising damp. Apart from unsightly damage to walls and floors, mould causes health risks especially for children and the elderly. Eczema, allergies and asthma have all been linked to exposure to breathing in mould spores resulting from high levels of indoor dampness.
Don’t just sit back and hope the problem will go away. Call our damp proofing experts (d.p.e) and find out how to get rid of rising damp for good.