Damp Checklist

Before spending money on any expensive treatments, carry out the following checks to find the source or possible causes — you might just find the solution is far cheaper than you at first thought.

Damp Checklist
  • Check around and above window and doors for bad seals
  • Check all ground levels, paths and patios close to the house. They should be at least six inches below the damp proof course, if they are not, dig them back if possible
  • Check roof tiles or flat roofs for damage
  • Check all gutters and overflow pipes for leaks and blockages
  • Check any joints between walls
  • Check holes made in walls for items such as hanging baskets
  • Get your drains checked
  • Check all lead flashings
  • Check outside taps for leaks
  • External flues can cause condensation on the wall they rise on — check the masonry
  • If you are sure water is not getting in from outside, move inside and check internal pipe and waste connections to washing machines, sinks, dishwashers etc.

Damp-proofing Treaments:

 

Further reading:

 

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Author
Claire Lloyd
Issue date:
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Useful links

British Wood Preserving & Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA)
Dryzone Ltd
Safeguard Europe Ltd
#1

Problems caused by rising damp.

Blossom (not verified)
Wed, 11/08/2010 - 13:23
Blossom's photo

Ground water contains soluble salts like chlorides, nitrates and sulphates. When rising damp occurs, these salts rise up with the water up the wall, the water gets evaporated and the salts remain in the wall. Both chloride and nitrates absorb greater amount of moisture from the surrounding environment. The greater amount of salt, the greater the absorption of moisture. These salts can even cause the wall to remain damp. Problems caused by rising damp:
Paint doesn't stay on the wall.

Wallpaper lifts and stains appear on the wall.

Plaster falls off, feels soft and spongy and bubbles and white powder or crystals appears.

Stains or white powder appears on the wall.

Mortar frets and falls out between bricks and stonework.

When we see the above symptoms in our house, make sure that your house is suffering from the problem of rising damp. To remove the problem, the best and effective way is to re-plaster the walls which is very desirable and is normally recommended.

#2

Many homes have had a damp

Paul Dickinson (not verified)
Tue, 08/03/2011 - 16:02
Paul Dickinson's photo

Many homes have had a damp proof course in the past which has become ineffective and useless. It's worth getting a damp proofing expert in to make sure the damp proof course is still working.

#3

Guide to Condensation & Black mould control

PaulG (not verified)
Sun, 10/07/2011 - 22:26
PaulG's photo

A good guide to Condensation damp and black mould control can be found at www.kiltox.co.uk

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