Identifying The Sources Of Penetrating Damp

It can be difficult to diagnose the damp issues troubling your home. The different types of damp can produce effects that are quite similar, so it is essential that the source of the problem be correctly identified. Bringing in an independent specialist damp surveyor is the best way to make sure you know what kind of damp issue your home has.

One of the most common damp problems is called “Penetrating Damp”, a term that describes the entry of water into a building from an outside source. Penetrating damp means that moisture is penetrating through the materials the building is made of in some way. 

A wide range of issues can cause penetrating damp, some are fairly easy to identify and repair, while others are much less so. Your PCA independent damp surveyor will run a thorough check of the building’s external and internal areas to identify the presence of any obvious defects that might be a source of the moisture. We have listed some of the obvious signs of penetrating dampness below:

• Green Walls – If there is green algae growing on the wall, it could be caused by a leaking downpipe, gutter, or overflow. Search for cracks in the wall that could allow water to penetrate.
• Holes in the Roof – These are a common ingress for water to enter the building. Look for broken roof tiles and tears in a flat roof’s membrane.
• Stains & Damp Patches – Are there any stains or damp patches on interior walls, ceilings, or floors near any defects you have located on the outside?
• Bubbling & Peeling Paint – Look for any paint bubbling or peeling on internal walls. Check to see if there are any salt crystals present; they can indicate a penetrating damp issue.
• Rot & Insect Attacks – If there are signs of rot or a wood-boring insect infestation on your home’s structural timbers, like the joists or rafters, you have a serious problem on your hands. When timber’s moisture content reaches above a certain level, it grows vulnerable to attack by rot and wood-boring insects.
• Musty, Damp Smells – Even if there are no visible signs of a damp issue, musty damp smells permeating the home indicate there is a hidden problem. It’s best to have an independent damp survey investigate further to locate the odour’s source.
• Mould – The penetrating damp can cool the home’s walls and surfaces enough to create a condensation issue that invites the growth of harmful mould. 

Penetrating damp can have a highly destructive impact on your home if it isn’t attended to in a timely manner. It’s important to identify the signs of penetrating damp as early as possible to minimise the extent and cost of repairing the damage. Vigilance is key to prevention.

If your home is suffering from penetrating dampness, call London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882 so we can dispatch an independent damp surveyor near you to ascertain the problem.