The only way to treat rising damp is to create a new damp-proofing course to prevent moisture movement through the structure. Historically, walls were cut into and masonry removed to install a new physical damp-proofing course along the masonry line. This process poses a number of problems for most structures.
The most effective and economical way to treat rising damp is with a damp proofing injection cream. You can choose between complete kits or individual cartridges of cream from leading brands such as Kiesol C and Aida. The cream is injected or hand-pumped into specially-positioned holes in the mortar course.
Simply opening your windows and doors that are located near where the dampness is located will help remove the damp musty smell and moisture in the air and replace it with fresh clean air. Improving the air circulation in a room will help speed up the process of drying out the damp wall.
In practice Rising damp can generally reach the height of 1.0m above the ground level however for various reasons the damp can go higher.
An easy solution to cure damp on internal walls is to paint walls and ceilings with Dryzone Mould-Resistant Emulsion Paint. The paint damp-proofs internal walls against condensation and protects for at least 5 years from unwanted mould growth.
Indeed in the damp proofing industry's own Code of Practice it states that “walls will take at least 6 to 12 months to dry out. The presence of paints or renders will substantially extend the drying period”.
One of the most common rising damp signs is tide marks being visible on walls. Tide marks are caused by damp evaporation and salt migration from the wall which has risen up the wall from the ground. These can be visible from the bottom of the wall up to around one metre above the floor.
Rising damp affected walls can take up to 6 months to dry out for a 150mm thick wall and will even take longer for thicker walls. The general rule is that it will take one month for each 25mm thickness of wall to dry after the rising damp has been stopped.
A dehumidifier will extract moisture from the air, a bit like a tumble dryer extracts moisture from clothing. This will help your home dry out much faster. If you're damp problem was caused by condensation in the first place, then a dehumidifier will solve the problem without you having to get the landlord involved.
Rising damp and penetrating damp both can affect your home's internal walls. Penetrating dampness on inner walls occurs when water penetrates the building through cracks and openings in the walls, or it occurs due to any structural defect in the property.
For most people you do not need to be concerned. It might smell and look unsightly, however, the health risks are minimal. However, if the rising damp is extreme, it may lead to excessive amounts of black mould which may cause an allergic reaction, especially children, elderly people and those that have poor health.
As the name suggests, rising damp starts at the bottom of an internal wall and moves upwards due to capillary action. The porous bricks, mortar and cement in the ground floor internal wall absorb water and suck it up like a straw.
Accelerate drying by opening windows and doors. Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air, which indirectly removes it from the walls, too. To speed up evaporation, remove molding and baseboards to prevent moisture from entering behind them.
Grab a room fan to dry small damp spots.
If the area that is wet is a small one, then it is possible to use a standing oscillating fan to try it out. Place one or more fans in front of the damp spot and turn them to their highest setting. This helps dry the wall and also gets moisture out of the air.
Much like condensation, rising damp produces dark mould patches on your walls, but there are a few distinguishing features you can look out for too. Peeling paint or wallpaper, along with damage to skirting boards and loose flooring, could all point to rising damp.
It is ok to buy a house with damp. However, upon purchasing the property, you should have the damp problem checked by a qualified surveyor. The surveyor can tell you what is causing the damp problem to occur and how much it is going to cost to get it fixed.
One of the most common causes of damp on internal walls is condensation. What happens is that condensation forms when warm moist air within a room touches a cold internal wall or surface. The warm moist air coos down, and condenses back into water.
If left unchecked, rising damp can cause damage to brick, concrete and wood structures, and cause wet rot and the dreaded dry rot.
We're often asked 'does house insurance cover damp'. The answer to this question is most likely to be 'no'. It's not usual for buildings, content and landlord insurance policies to cover gradual deterioration, which is the category that damp problems generally fall into.
Other forms of damp, such as rising damp, are more likely to worsen in rainy weather. By looking at it, you can usually identify what's generating the wetness. Other forms of moisture cause a stain mark to emerge on walls, ceilings, or floors, whereas condensation tends to produce patches of mould with soft edges.
A Musty smell is one of the main signs of rising dampness. This smell is extremely unpleasant to live with and can be dangerous to your health. It also can worsen the conditions of those who have respiratory issues. Even if you cannot see the visible signs of the damp, you will still be able to smell it.
British houses are so damp due to a mixture of the nation having one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe and damaging building practices. Solid single skin brickwork, which makes up much of UK housing, is more prone to damp than double skin with cavity walls.