Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp can occur as a result of problems with the fabric of the building that can allow water to leak into the walls or floors. Typical defects leading to penetrating damp are defective guttering or pipes, faulty flashings, poor pointing, cracked rendering and built up external ground levels.
Symptoms of penetrating damp
The first sign of damp penetration is often the appearance of damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors. These tend to grow or darken after periods of heavy or prolonged rain.
The long-term effects of water penetration can include damage to decoration and plaster, decay in exposed timber, and mould growth.
Penetrating damp is most common in older homes that have solid walls whereas new build property with cavity walls offers more protection against driven rain.
Key warning signs to look out for in your property include;
- Damage to the exterior of the building
- Peeling plaster
- A damp smell
- Formation of black mould
- Drips or puddles indoors
- Damp patches on the walls or ceiling
Although, if your property is exposed to penetrating damp, symptoms can take a few weeks or even months to appear. Therefore, the sooner you can identify that you have penetrating damp, the sooner you can have the problem assessed and treated.
Causes of penetrating damp
Penetrating damp is usually the result of water ingress through a fault in the building. Some of the most common building defects that cause penetrating damp include:
- Leaks in gutters and/or downpipes
- Old porous brickwork
- Defective pointing
- Ineffective/faulty drip grooves under window sills
- Defective seals around doors and windows
Properties with cavity wall insulation are also can also suffer from penetrating damp from absorbent masonry as well as any cracks or fractures in the external wall that allow water penetration. Once the water is trapped inside, the cavity wall insulation becomes wet. It then acts as a bridge between the outside wall and inside wall which causes the symptoms of penetrating damp in the property.
How to treat penetrating damp
There are various methods of treating penetrating damp, with some of the main solutions including using water repellent or installing a damp-proof cavity tray.
However, when penetrating damp occurs, it is important that an effective assessment is taken to ensure the correct treatment method is applied. To do this, it is essential to identify the source of the problem to prevent the damp developing further.
Once the source of the problem has been identified, you can then be reassured that the correct action has been taken and understand how to prevent penetrating damp in the future.
How we can help you
At Atlantis damp, we have experts who can identify your penetrating damp problem and find a solution that will not only resolve the issue but prevent it reoccurring in the future.
Our surveyors will fully investigate the causes of damp within your property and explore the suitable method of treatment. All of the results and feedback will be provided in a full written report, along with recommendations and details of the cost.
We don’t confuse our customers with jargon and we give an honest approach regarding the assessment of your property to give you all the options available to you.
We understand the concerns you may have when tackling aspects of your property and so we make sure our customers are fully aware of the process implemented to resolve the penetrating damp issue in your property.
If you have any concerns regarding penetrating damp in your property, our expert team will be able to advise you on the best action to take. Give us a call today on 0800 0988 277 or email us at atlantisdamp@gmail.com for more information.