Rising damp is one of the most concerning forms of damp that homeowners can encounter, especially in older properties. While it may start with small patches on your lower walls, left untreated, rising damp can wreak havoc on your property, causing structural damage, degrading building materials, and leading to unsightly mould.
In this blog, we will explore the causes of rising damp, how it can damage your walls, and most importantly, how to treat and prevent it. If you suspect that rising damp is affecting your home, taking swift action is crucial. Our expert damp proofing services can protect your walls and safeguard the long-term health of your property.
Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground is absorbed by the porous materials in your home’s walls, such as brick, stone, or mortar. This moisture travels upwards through the walls, typically affecting the lower sections of ground-floor walls and skirting boards. The water can carry salts and minerals from the ground, which are left behind as the water evaporates. Over time, this creates visible damp patches, peeling paint, and other structural damage.
This form of damp is particularly common in older properties, as their damp-proof courses (DPC) – the barrier designed to prevent water from rising – may be damaged, ineffective, or missing entirely. While it’s less common in modern homes with properly installed DPCs, no property is immune if its DPC is compromised.
Rising damp is a result of capillary action, where moisture from the ground is drawn upwards through tiny pores in masonry materials. But what are the key factors that lead to rising damp?
The DPC is a crucial part of any building, as it forms a protective barrier that stops moisture from travelling upwards. If your property lacks a DPC, or if it has been compromised (e.g. damaged or bridged by external debris or soil), then there is nothing to stop moisture from rising through the walls.
If the external ground level around your home is higher than the level of your DPC, this can create an easy route for moisture to rise above the protective barrier. This often occurs in properties where soil, flower beds, or paving have been built up over time, essentially “bridging” the DPC.
If your property’s drainage is inadequate, excess water can accumulate around the base of your walls. This excess water can increase the likelihood of rising damp, especially if the soil around your property becomes saturated. Poorly maintained gutters, leaking pipes, or ineffective drainage systems can all contribute to this problem.
Over time, the materials that make up your property can degrade and become more porous. This is especially true for older homes where bricks and mortar have weathered over the years. The more porous the material, the easier it is for moisture to travel upwards, accelerating the process of rising damp.
If you suspect that any of these factors are contributing to rising damp in your home, it’s essential to act quickly. Our rising damp treatment services can assess the cause and provide long-lasting solutions to protect your property.
The effects of rising damp on your walls can range from cosmetic damage to severe structural degradation. Here’s how it can affect the materials in your home over time:
One of the first visible signs of rising damp is peeling paint or wallpaper near the bottom of your walls. The moisture trapped in the walls causes the paint or wallpaper to lose its adhesion, leading to bubbling, flaking, and peeling. Even if you repaint or re-paper the walls, the problem will continue to recur unless the rising damp is addressed.
As moisture rises through the walls, it brings with it salts and minerals from the ground. When the moisture evaporates, these salts are left behind on the surface of the walls, often creating white, powdery stains known as efflorescence. These salt deposits can damage plaster and masonry, further weakening the structural integrity of your walls.
Rising damp causes plaster and mortar to weaken over time. As the walls become saturated with moisture, the plaster can start to disintegrate, causing chunks to fall away. Similarly, the mortar between bricks can crumble, leading to gaps and further deterioration of the wall’s structure. This not only affects the aesthetics of your home but also its stability.
In addition to damaging walls, rising damp can also affect any timber elements within the wall or near its base, such as skirting boards or timber frames. The constant exposure to moisture can lead to wet rot, causing the wood to soften and decay. Over time, this can result in timber becoming structurally unsound and needing replacement.
Damp conditions create the ideal environment for mould and mildew to thrive. Rising damp can lead to dark, damp patches on walls that become breeding grounds for mould. Mould not only looks unsightly but can also pose significant health risks, especially to those with respiratory issues or allergies.
To prevent rising damp from causing further damage to your walls, we recommend scheduling a professional damp survey to assess the situation and implement effective treatments.
Once rising damp is identified, it’s important to address it quickly to prevent further damage. The right treatment will depend on the severity of the damp, the condition of your damp-proof course, and the materials used in your property. Here’s how rising damp is typically treated:
One of the most common and effective methods for treating rising damp is the injection of a chemical DPC. This process involves drilling small holes into the base of affected walls and injecting a water-repellent chemical that forms a barrier, preventing moisture from rising. This modern technique can be highly effective, particularly in older homes where the original DPC has failed or been damaged.
Once the source of rising damp has been dealt with, it’s often necessary to remove and replace any damaged plaster. This is because the existing plaster will have absorbed moisture and salts, which can continue to cause problems even after the damp-proof course is restored. A specialised waterproof render or plaster is applied to affected areas to prevent further moisture penetration and create a clean, dry surface.
If poor drainage is contributing to rising damp, it’s essential to address this issue at the same time as treating the walls. Improving the drainage around your property, fixing leaking pipes, and ensuring that gutters and downpipes are clear will help prevent further moisture from accumulating at the base of your walls.
If external ground levels are higher than your damp-proof course, reducing the soil or paving around your property can help prevent moisture from bridging the DPC. In some cases, installing French drains or other drainage solutions may also be necessary to divert water away from your property’s foundation.
At EasyDamp, we specialise in rising damp treatments that are tailored to the unique needs of each property. Our experienced team can identify the root cause of rising damp and provide a comprehensive solution to stop the problem in its tracks.
Once rising damp has been treated, it’s important to take preventative measures to ensure that it doesn’t return. Here are a few tips for keeping your walls dry and free from rising damp in the future:
Keep an eye on your walls for any signs of damp or damage, and make sure your damp-proof course is checked regularly to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Additionally, inspect your external drainage systems, gutters, and downpipes for leaks or blockages.
Ensure that external ground levels are below the level of your damp-proof course, and avoid building up soil, paving, or other materials that could bridge the DPC. Improving drainage around your property by installing French drains or sloping ground away from the house can also help.
While rising damp is caused by external factors, controlling moisture inside your home can also help. Ensuring good ventilation, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, can prevent excess moisture from settling in your walls.
By following these steps and maintaining your property, you can keep rising damp at bay and protect your home from further damage.
Rising damp is not a problem that will resolve itself – in fact, the longer it’s left untreated, the more severe the damage will become. From crumbling plaster to timber decay, rising damp can quickly turn into an expensive and disruptive issue. More importantly, it can affect the health of your home’s occupants, particularly if mould and mildew take hold.
If you suspect your walls are suffering from rising damp, contact EasyDamp for a professional damp survey and treatment plan. We offer tailored solutions to stop rising damp in its tracks and restore your walls to their former glory.
Don’t let rising damp destroy your walls – get in touch today to discuss how we can help.
