Structural problems in your property that cause damp, penetrating damp or plumbing / construction damp will usually be the responsibility of the landlord, however this is not necessarily the case when it comes to condensation.
Penetrating dampness occurs when water leaks through roofs, windows, and cracks in walls, causing damp patches on internal walls. Penetrating dampness is generally not covered by buildings and home insurance, as the gradual deterioration of the building materials mostly causes it.
It is important that penetrating damp is identified as soon as possible to ensure that the property structurally isn't severally damaged, call our penetrating damp specialists today on 0800 288 8660 to receive the right penetrating damp solutions or click the link below to arrange a survey online.
Penetrating Damp Internal Wall Treatment
Costs vary significantly between areas and suppliers, but a rough average is around £70 per metre of the treated wall or around £280 per wall. The costs could easily reach several thousand pounds if you need to treat every wall.
Who's responsible for rising damp. In many cases, your landlord is responsible for dealing with rising damp. This is because there's a term implied into your tenancy agreement which says that it's their responsibility to keep the exterior and structure of your home in repair.
Penetrating damp is the process of moisture moving from the exterior wall of a building to the interior. It occurs when outside moisture like wind-driven rain impacts a building's wall. Building materials like brick are porous. They soak up rain to saturate the wall with penetrating damp.
The first company you should call is a mold and moisture remediation company. Those folks are pros at knowing what to do first so that your home gets fixed efficiently—and without risk of lingering health or structural issues.
Penetrating damp is one of the most common causes of dampness in a property. It is the result of water infiltration into a property often resulting from an external defect.
The most important step in penetrating damp treatment is establishing and rectifying the source of moisture ingress. When the source of penetrating damp comes from structural issues like roof damage, defective guttering or cracked render you will need to repair these issues to prevent the water ingress at the source.
Tanking is a reliable way of dealing with the effects of penetrating damp once the root cause has been fixed.
When the cause of penetrating damp has been rectified, the internal walls will take some time dry out, typically at a rate of 1mm per day. With large, solid walls, this can mean that the walls are still damp for a year or more, damaging new internal finishes.
Unfortunately, you can't just paint over damp or mould in the hope it will disappear. Even if you use waterproof paint, it can still seep through over time. Depending on how bad the problem is, you may be able to remove the mould by cleaning the area without repainting.
Damp and mould primarily affect the airways and lungs, but they can also affect the eyes and skin. The respiratory effects of damp and mould can cause serious illness and, in the most severe cases, death (see 'Health effects of damp and mould').
Like flooding, groundwater seepage isn't covered by a standard homeowners policy. Often, older homes with basements will have problems with water seeping through concrete walls or from cracks in the foundation.
Tape a square of aluminium foil to the wall and leave it there for a day. On inspection, if the side facing away from the wall is wet, you have an issue with condensation. If the inside of the foil is wet, you have penetrating or rising damp.
Microshield. Permagard's Microshield is an effective high-performing water repellent suitable for external use on masonry materials such as brick, concrete and stone. In one single coat, this microporous water repellent will protect masonry materials against penetrating damp.
If a penetrating damp problem is left untreated it can cause deterioration to the fabric of your property including damage to walls, floors, ceilings and can even cause rot to timbers. Unlike rising damp penetrating damp, can happen at any level of your property. Damp penetration can affect any age of property.
Over time, bricks can crack, and mortar can erode, creating pathways for water to enter. Pay special attention to any visible cracks, gaps, or crumbling mortar. Gutter and Downspout Inspection: Faulty gutters and downspouts can direct water towards the wall instead of away from the property.
You can tell that your building has a penetrating damp problem when you find damp patches on the walls, the appearance of black mould and stale, damp smell. You can check any potential sources that might be the reason for the penetrating damp problem.
Now you know everything about rising and penetrating damp, let's look at the key differences between the two. Appearance: Penetrating damp can present itself anywhere on your walls and ceilings, whereas rising damp can only be found from ground level up to 1.5 metres on the walls.
Most standard buildings and contents home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by damp and condensation.
If you see any signs of moisture, you should call your local Crawlspace Medic to get a free inspection and estimate.
Moisture removal from walls is essential to prevent mold growth, structural damage, and health risks. Costs for moisture removal typically range from $1,200 to $5,000, but extensive damage can escalate up to $50,000.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation.