In many cases, your landlord is responsible for dealing with rising damp.
A damp surveyor will specialise in every damp issue there is, from rising damp, to wet rot and dry rot. Find out how long they've been in the business and what they specialise in. Contact at least three damp surveyors. Contact multiple damp surveyors to get like-for-like quotes on your damp problems.
Does home insurance cover rising damp? In most cases, home insurance does not cover damp for internal or external walls. Buildings insurance policies do not pay out for problems that are seen as the result of gradual deterioration (in other words, wear and tear on the building). Most insurers class rising damp as this.
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 and Penetrating damp will need to be treated by your freeholder. A damp-proof course is required for rising damp issues and damaged exteriors should be repaired to solve penetrating damp. Condensation dampness is the most common issue in flats.
The cost of fixing rising damp and applying dampness treatment can be anywhere from £200 to £5000 depending on the scale of the problem. Our guide covers everything you might need to know about rising damp, including detailed cost overviews and what's involved with the treatment. Ready for a quote?
As a leaseholder, you're responsible for maintaining the inside of your home, this includes preventative methods for damp, mould and condensation. It is also your responsibility to ensure any issues in your home do not impact on fellow neighbours and you should keep your home in good state of repair.
Can rising damp be fixed? Yes! Correct diagnosis is the key to the installation of a new damp-proof course. A new damp-proof course combined with replastering the damaged walls is a very effective way of fixing rising damp.
Rising damp can be a serious problem, as if left untreated it can lead to structural issues. The damage it can cause to your plaster, flooring and decorative finishes as well as the smell also makes it very unpleasant to live with.
One of the most recognisable rising damp signs is if there are tidemarks on your walls. They will be horizontal brown or discoloured marks at around 1 meter in height on interior and external walls.
Over time, untreated rising damp can cause damage to the internal and external walls, as well as the foundation of the building. It may result in the deterioration of plaster and paint, the formation of mould and mildew, and even structural issues.
Rising damp can lead to your walls and anything touching them crumbling or rotting, and for mould to grow on them. Most cases of rising damp are caused by problems with the damp-proof course. A damp-proof course is a waterproof barrier installed in the external walls just above ground level.
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover maintenance issues or wear and tear. So, if a slab leak results when tree roots damage your plumbing, or from plumbing lines that are simply past their prime, a typical homeowners insurance will not pay for repairs.
Is rising damp covered by insurance? Most buildings and contents home insurance policies won't cover you for damage caused by damp and condensation.
Keep in mind that as the buyer, you will be responsible for the cost of the survey. Below we look at the types of damp found in a home, whether you should buy a house with damp and what you can do about it.
Rising damp is the name given to the movement of moisture upwards through building materials by capillary action. If the moisture penetrates vulnerable materials it can become a serious issue especially if this is within occupied parts of the building.
A damp proof course cost can vary from £1000 to £5000 depending on the damp and its severity. The common remedy for rising damp is to apply a damp proof injection after removing plaster from walls and insert a chemical that acts as a barrier to prevent moisture and damp rising again.
Most old buildings lack these and therefore damp rises to some degree. This is usually not a problem where the construction can 'breathe', allowing evaporation, and may actually be advantageous in humidifying overly-dry centrally-heated buildings.
Sleeping in a damp room can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, skin conditions, and a weakened immune system due to the presence of mould and excess moisture.
Dehumidifiers seem to be the obvious way of reducing humidity, removing condensation, stopping walls becoming damp and preventing mould. But a more effective solution is to give your home a small but consistent background movement of fresh air. This will help keep your home feeling fresher, healthier and mould free.
Rising damp is a damp issue that can be worsened after heavy periods of rain. It occurs when water below ground level travels up through the pores in brickwork. This occurs through capillary action.
Extensive rising damp can also lead to structural damage that can create serious safety hazards if left unchecked – for example, the rotting and sagging of floorboards and staircases.
Damp, mould and condensation
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.
The surveyor will be able to distinguish between these damp issues and also identify if the damp has resulted in any timber decay caused by dry rot or wet rot. At Rentokil Property Care, our damp surveyors provide effective and professional damp surveys for all types of properties, both residential and commercial.