What is that on your wall? Damp problems, explained
You do not need to know the difference between rising damp and condensation to get it fixed. Start with what you can see or smell, and these guides from damp specialists in Dewsbury, Wakefield and West Yorkshire will explain what is likely causing it.
Common damp problems in the home
Pick the one that sounds most like what you are seeing. Each guide explains what usually causes it, how to tell which cause you have, and what fixing it involves.
Rising damp, penetrating damp or condensation?
Nearly every damp problem in a home comes down to one of three causes, or a leak. Each one leaves a different pattern, and each one needs a different fix.
- Rising dampGround moisture climbing up ground-floor walls. Look for a tide mark and salts up to about a metre high. Fixed with a new damp proof course and replastering. Rising damp treatment.
- Penetrating dampWater getting in from outside. Look for patches at any height that grow after rain. Fixed by stopping the water where it gets in. Penetrating damp treatment.
- CondensationMoisture from inside the home settling on cold surfaces. Look for streaming windows, damp corners and mould, worst in winter. Usually fixed with better ventilation. Condensation control.
- Water below groundCellars and basements taking on water through walls and floors. Fixed with a waterproofing system rather than a damp proof course. Basement tanking.
Getting the diagnosis wrong is expensive: treating condensation as rising damp costs money and fixes nothing. A free damp survey with a damp meter tells you which you have before you spend anything.
General damp questions
How do I know what kind of damp I have?
Where the damp is and when it gets worse are the best clues: low on ground-floor walls suggests rising damp, patches that grow after rain suggest penetrating damp, and damp corners with streaming windows suggest condensation. A damp meter reading on a free survey confirms it.
Is damp in a house serious?
It depends on the cause, but it always gets worse if it is left. Some damp, like most condensation, is fixed fairly simply. Other damp keeps breaking down plaster and can affect timber over time, so it is worth finding the cause early.
Can I fix damp myself?
Some condensation problems improve with better everyday ventilation, such as opening windows, using extractor fans and drying clothes outside. Rising damp, penetrating damp and cellar water need the cause treating properly, and plastering over them does not last.
Is a damp survey free?
Yes. Our damp survey is free and there is no obligation. We test the walls with a damp meter, explain what is causing the problem, and give you a fixed price in writing if work is needed.
Which areas do you cover?
We cover Dewsbury, Wakefield, Morley, Heckmondwike, Batley, Ossett, Horbury, Stanley, Outwood, Ravensthorpe, Hanging Heaton, Barnsley and Leeds, and the surrounding areas.
Still not sure what you have?
Book a free damp survey and we will tell you what is causing it and what will fix it.