Think you might be experiencing a damp problem in your home? Our article aims to help you identify whether or not you do have rising damp forming in your walls. Rising damp can have some real negative impacts on your health and home, so we are here to stress the importance of contacting a professional as soon as you realise you have a case of rising damp in your house.
Read on and find out more about rising damp and how it can have a negative impact on your health.
What is rising damp?
Rising damp occurs when the masonry and fabric of the house or building are not installed with the proper damp course. This will mean that the stonework or timber is susceptible to absorbing moisture from the ground or floor below. Rising damp appears on your walls as a tide mark, which will rise as the problem gets worse. The height of this damp area can often reach a height of up to 1 metre. Sometimes, a thin layer of salt deposits will appear on the wall, due to non-breathable plastering or painting.
What are the negative impacts of rising damp?
There are many different negative aspects to rising damp, not least that it shows you have some form of structural issue with your home. Here are some of the top problems that occur as a result of rising damp.
- The smell and appearance of rising damp can be quite disgusting, so it may be the case that you need to redecorate and thoroughly wash all fabrics within the damp area to ensure the smell does not linger.
- Mould formed by rising damp releases allergens and irritants. These irritants can cause havoc among individuals who already have existing skin problems like eczema or psoriasis.
- Rising damp can be dangerous for those with asthma, children, and the elderly. Damp and mould can cause respiratory problems or negatively affect those who already have respiratory problems.
Where can I find rising damp solutions?
As you will now be able to tell, damp is a serious issue and should be dealt with as quickly and as safely as possible. We recommend contacting a professional who will know the best treatment for your particular case.
Richardson & Starling are one of the most reliable contractors for treatment of rising damp across Scotland and the North of England so you can be sure of a job well done. In any case, trying to treat this issue yourself can be difficult. You may not be able to find the root cause of the damp in the first place. Richardson & Starling can provide in-depth home surveys which will be able to identify any structural repairs which are necessary. This will mean you can rest assured that the damp will not return in the future.
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