What is Damp?

Damp - known as structural damp in the construction industry - describes the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, either as a result of penetration from the outside or condensation within the structures. A large number of damp problems are caused by condensation, rain penetration or rising damp.

Dampness causes secondary damage to a building. The unwanted moisture enables the growth of various fungi in wood, causing rot or mould, these can lead to health issues and will eventually lead to ‘sick building syndrome’, as damp buildings can cause respiratory infections and other problems. It can also aggravate problems such as asthma, and trigger a number of allergic reactions through condensation build-up. Other effects of structural damp can include:

Plaster and paint deterioration
Wallpaper becomes loose
Stains from water, salts and mould surfaces
Concentrations of airborne mould that once inhaled can cause serious health effects on humans and pets
External mortar and brickwork may crumble
Indoor air quality may decrease which in turn may cause respiratory illness in occupants
Excess moisture leads to the growth of microbes such as mould, fungi and bacteria which subsequently emit spores, cells and volatile organic compound into the indoor air.

Treating the symptoms of dampness will not cure the problem. You can spend a lifetime, and large amounts of your hard earned cash, applying bleach and mould resistant paints and sprays. Unless you tackle the roots of the problem, your damp will keep returning, often with more vigour each time as water builds up within walls and woodwork that are out of sight.

If you have problems with damp contact us for a free, no-obligation survey.