Differences Between Rising Damp And Penetrating Damp

One of the most prevalent difficulties that property owners confront, especially in older properties, is dampness caused mainly by wet weather. The difficulty is that wetness can come from a variety of places, which can make it difficult to get rid of it. People frequently treat the symptoms of wetness (temporarily) rather than addressing the fundamental cause and seeking a suitable solution. This is partly due to homeowners’ lack of understanding of the differences between rising and penetrating damp, both of which are serious problems.

Excessive moisture in buildings can create a variety of damp problems, including the deterioration of your home’s structural integrity, ornamental rotting, plaster staining, and mould, the latter of which, if left uncontrolled, can cause major health problems. That’s why it’s essential to have an effective damp treatment implemented as soon as possible.

What Are The Signs Of Rising Damp?

The most typical indicators of rising damp are damage to the skirting boards or cracking plaster on the walls, and peeling paint or wallpaper. A white powder or even what appears to be a tide mark along the wall, visible up to a height of roughly one metre from the ground, is another indication you might notice. This is formed by water coming up through the walls, dissolving salts from the ground and construction materials, which crystallise to form a powder, mixed with more water to produce the tell-tell tidal mark. Keep a lookout for the following growing damp signs:

• Damp lines – A yellow or brown tidal line has appeared on the wall as a result of the wet;
• Damaged plaster – Directly above the skirting boards, yellow, brown, or blown plaster;
• Damaged floor – Close to the walls, skirting boards and flooring are rotting, cracked, or mushy to the touch;
• Salt deposits – White and fluffy deposits that appear to be salted in and on the plaster;
• Discolouration – Mould, fungus, and mildew are all typical causes of discolouration.

What’s Penetrating Damp?

Penetrating damp is caused by water leaking through the wall; unlike rising damp, this sort of damp is generated by a horizontal water movement, which may stretch across your walls and ceiling.

Penetrating damp is usually caused by property maintenance issues, such as failing guttering or roofing, or fractures in the walls, which lead them to be soaked in water on a frequent basis until they are saturated. An interior leak, which could spread to pipes under the sink or bath, is another cause of penetrating damp. Even a minor leak might cause considerable damage to your house over time. Please get in touch with us on 01273 257 765 to treat penetrating damp at your property.

How To Identify Penetrating Damp?

Because the symptoms of penetrating damp are sometimes confused with those of other types of damp, determining which type of damp you have can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. Regardless of size or scale, you should be able to recognise the following symptoms as evidence of penetrating damp:

• Damaged internal decoration – deterioration and staining of the interior wall.
• Damaged plaster – blistering, salting and disintegration.
• Rotting skirting boards or floor timbers – wet rot decay can develop as a result of moisture saturating timber.
• Localised dampness – Random damp patches at a high and low level that grow in size when coming into contact with moisture.
• Mould growth – musty smell, spoilt decoration.
• Brick damage – damage to the brickwork on external walls resulting in spalling and cracks in the wall’s structure can allow moisture to enter the property.

If you have penetrating moisture in your home, the sooner you treat the problem, the less damage it will cause. Call 01273 257 765 or fill out an online form to book a survey with our damp proofing specialists now.

Rising And Penetrating Damp -Health Hazards

The main difference between rising damp and penetrating damp is their origins. Despite their distinctions, rising damp and penetrating damp are both major damp concerns that are not only unsightly but can also be harmful to your health. As a result, it’s critical to fix rising damp and penetrating damp as soon as possible.

Why Choose Sussex Damp Experts?

It’s really important to identify the damp problem correctly and apply the best treatment, repairs and prevention to achieve the best results. Our team of professionals will accurately analyse and diagnose the severity of your damp problem. Specific damp treatments and the most effective techniques to treat your condition will be recommended, as well as preventive actions to avoid problems in the future.

Our experts are trained to meet and surpass the industry standards. Our surveyors are Certified Surveyors in Remedial Treatment (CSRT), which is why we offer the best level of care and priority to our customers.

Booking a Rising Damp Survey

Make an appointment for a rising dampness survey, or give us a call, and we’ll put you in touch with a local team. We have several damp surveyors that can and swiftly schedule a visit to your house when most convenient for you.