By Richard Walker, National Technical and Development Manager at Peter Cox
The UK has recently been battered by storms, with much of the country experiencing heavy rain and flooding. In fact, this February was the wettest on record, and it has been the fifth wettest winter since records began in 1862. As the rainfall continues, it’s time to ‘batten down the hatches’ and ensure buildings are equipped for the impact of wet and windy weather.
Identifying a damp issue early and taking measures to deal with it, before it causes too much damage, is always the best policy. Fortunately, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. Damp characteristically leaves stains, dark patches and discolouration on walls and can sometimes lead to mould forming. In confined and unventilated spaces, is usually accompanied by an unmistakably musty smell. Decayed skirting boards and damaged wall plaster within properties are also often a sign. There are three main types of damp to look out for; Condensation, Rising Damp and Penetrating damp.
- Condensation
Condensation occurs where moisture produced in the property through normal living – cooking, showering and drying cloths – evaporates into the atmosphere and then condenses on a cold surface such as an external wall. It is most common between October and April and it can be found in properties of any age, size or design. While condensation is one of the most common damp problems in a building, preventing it requires a change in habits, such as keeping rooms at an even, moderate temperature and opening the windows to increase ventilation. To some people this may sound counter intuitive, so it can be more beneficial to manage and control condensation by using advanced condensation control methods such as installing a heat recovery or positive input ventilation unit.
- Rising Damp
Rising damp occurs when moisture is drawn upwards through the mortar and masonry of a building by capillarity. Any masonry type can be affected but the more porous building materials such as brick and sandstone are most susceptible. From the 1900’s onwards most buildings in the UK incorporated a damp proof course (often referred to as a DPC) that acts as a horizontal barrier to water rising. However, if you are maintaining an older building then this might not be the case, as a damp proof course will not have been included in its construction, or the existing one may have failed. This is where Peter Cox can help, installing the appropriate system by inserting a new DPC and remedying any damage to the damp affected wall plaster.
- Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp is most often caused by exposure to prevailing winds, which can drive rain into the masonry, and is most pronounced on buildings with solid rather than cavity walls. Property defects such as defective pointing, gaps around windows, leaking roofs and gutters or even flower beds banked up against the side of the building can all lead to moisture entering the building. The most effective way to protect a property from penetrating damp is to firstly rectify such defects and then apply Thermotek, a breathable water repellent cream to the exterior of the property.
Top tips to prevent damp in your property
- Ensure that external ground levels are a minimum 150mm below the building’s current damp proof course
- Regularly check gutters, downpipes and drains to ensure there are no blockages or leaks
- Inspect flashing on your property’s roof and seals around windows to ensure they prevent water from entering the building
- Apply a breathable water repellent cream to the building’s exterior
- Keep your property ventilated, even for just one hour in the morning during colder months will help reduce the risk of condensation
If you have been through these preventative measures and damp issues are prevailing, or perhaps getting worse, then call in the experts who can fully investigate and diagnose the cause of your problems, as well as provide options for ways to deal with them. Find out more about our services here.
