What Are The Causes Of Penetrating Damp

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Damp is defined as the presence of moisture, water or condensation within a structure. If left untreated, damp problems in your house can develop quickly and without notice, causing catastrophic damage to your building’s infrastructure.

If you notice evidence of moisture in the property and/or need to treat penetrating damp, don’t hesitate to call Sussex Damp Experts on 01273 257877to book a survey, as our damp proofing experts have nearly 20 years of combined expertise dealing with damp problems.

What’s Penetrating Damp?

Penetrating damp (also known as water ingress or lateral damp) is one of the most prevalent damp sources in older structures, but it can occur in homes of any age and at any level of the building.

Rain penetration through an external wall going inside the property causes penetrating damp. This can happen because of a building flaw or because external brick or stone walls have decayed to the point where they have become porous, allowing water to penetrate through the outer wall and through the cavity wall insulation to the inside of the property.

Do you suffer from a damp in your property?

Identify Penetrating Damp

The common signs of penetrating damp are:

What Creates Penetrating Damp?

Penetrating damp is most likely to occur in a home with structural building defects, such as poor roof coverings, bad cavity wall construction, leaking rainwater pipes, or faulty pointing around doors and windows. Defective masonry, render, and pointing are some of the most typical causes of penetrating damp. Age, cold, and physical damage can cause brickwork, pointing, and render to deteriorate. One of the main reasons older buildings are afflicted by penetrating damp is that their building materials may have deteriorated over time or been damaged by storms, rendering them incapable of performing the function for which they were created.

Your home may be allowing moisture to soak thoroughly through the wall if the structure of the building is collapsing. This is a symptom that the waterproofing system on your home is failing.

Penetrating damp can also be found where external ground levels are higher than internal floors or if damp-proof membranes to concrete ground floors or solums below your ground floor are faulty. You may also notice moisture in locations below ground level, such as your home’s basement or cellar. The following are some common places to look for penetrating damp.

The Ceiling

Missing tiles, pointing, roof ridge tiles (the curved tiles at the very top of the roof), and flashing (the point where a roof meets a wall or a chimney) are all critical spots to check for penetrating damp on a roof. If any of these are missing or loose, maintenance is required to prevent or halt penetrating moisture.
Windows Frames

These must be examined to see if any gaps or cracks exist around the frame. If there are any, a flexible frame sealant should be used to fill them. Also, look under the window sill for a “drip groove,” which is a groove designed to keep water from running onto the wall.
Door Frames

Any cracks in the door frames will need to be repaired. Furthermore, if your external door lacks a weather bar – a board that lies at the bottom of the door and protects it from excessive rain – it may be time to consider installing one.
Outside Walls

Penetrating damp can be caused by cracks in external brickwork or missing bits of mortar (the infill – cement or otherwise – between bricks). The brickwork or external render might become porous or crack, allowing rainwater to seep between the cracks. If this is the case, ensure sure the holes are filled with the proper filler material. To learn more about what would be ideal for your property, contact our staff on 01273 257877.

Rain Gutters, Downpipes, And Drains On The Outside

Check the status of your rainwater goods that are located outside. If they’re leaking, your home could suffer from penetrating wetness. Drains should be inspected to ensure they are not clogged, allowing water to back up into the structure.

It’s also possible that cracked or porous ancient bricks or chimney heads have allowed water into the property. These must be fixed or painted with an exterior silicone water repellent or lime wash that helps your walls breathe while still allowing them to breathe. This also serves as an excellent preventative strategy; it’s preferable to catch an issue early on and save money than to deal with a much more expensive fix later.

The correct and thorough diagnosis of the damp problem is critical for specifying the proper remedial repair. After our surveyor team has performed the survey, each of our customers receives a full report. Contact Sussex Damp Experts today on 01273 257877 to book a survey with our specialist team.

Penetrating Damp Treatment

We have an expert team at Sussex Damp Experts who can assist you in eliminating the damp problem in your home. When our surveyors arrive at your home, they will do an initial inspection to discover the source of the problem.

We combine conventional construction methods with contemporary goods and repair solutions to keep your property dry. If necessary, we can use a biological membrane or a chemical water repellent to prevent the problem from recurring.

We have used a specialist cavity membrane fitted to the outside of the external walls with a traditional render applied in some severe penetrating damp problems where the stonework and mortar have become so porous that the damp has soaked through all the external walls into the living space of the property. This membrane technique protects the property’s exterior while allowing the original stone to breathe.

It will take some time for the fabric to dry out once the damp problem has been found and treated, and specialised drying equipment will be considered if it is acceptable for the property.

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What Kind Of Harm Might Penetrating Damp Cause?

Even if it does not permeate through a wall, penetrating damp can cause property damage. Other damp-related problems include wet and dry rot, damp plasterwork, increased heat loss, damp, musty odours, frost damage to masonry, and unattractive water damage on both the outside and inside of a building.

You shouldn’t be too concerned about the health impacts of damp in most circumstances if it’s treated quickly enough. Although the smell and appearance of moisture are unpleasant, the health hazards are negligible if the problem is addressed soon. People should not be forced to live in moist conditions for long periods, and the issue must be addressed.

If you live or work in a property with severe damp problems, condensation may build on the chilly damp wall regions, resulting in an epidemic of black mould.

If you’re concerned about the growth of black mould or dampness in your property, call us right now at 01273 257877 for additional information.

Call Sussex Damp Experts Today

Call Our Sussex Damp Experts team now for quote, consultation and advice: Call on 01273 257877.

Expected Costs Of Penetrating Damp Repairs and Treatments

The expenses of repairing a damp problem are determined by various criteria, including the property’s dimensions, architecture, kind of damp cause, and materials used, among others.

Because there are so many details to consider, call our fully trained team to schedule a survey. One of our friendly team members will check the property and thoroughly grasp the situation before giving you the most cost-effective price.

Why Choose Sussex Damp Experts?

If you have a wet and infiltrating area underground, you can rely on Sussex Damp Experts. On projects ranging from small domestic restorations to large commercial projects, including car parks, tunnels, and new construction, we’ve used various waterproofing and treatment methods. Whatever your project entails, Sussex Damp Experts is the firm you call for expert waterproofing.

The first step is to schedule a survey with one of our professional surveyors to locate the source of water intrusion and make recommendations for cost and kind of work. Call 01273 257877 to speak with a member of our skilled staff.

Client Reviews

I am not the type to leave a review but feel it necessary to express just how grateful my husband and I are for everything Sussex Damp Experts have done for us. We have had countless builders in that haven’t been able to fix the damp patches on our dining room wall. Straight away Steve identified that this was moisture in the air attracting to salt from a removed chimney! Jack and Robbie completed the recommended work very impressively and efficiently.

I had an excellent experience with Sussex Damp Experts from start to finish. Alex conducted a thorough woodworm survey of my loft and provided a detailed, transparent quote for the treatment. His professional and courteous approach gave me complete confidence in the company. They took exceptional care to maintain the cleanliness of my property throughout the process, laying down protective coverings and cleaning up meticulously after completing the work. Their consideration for my home and attention to detail was impressive.

The Sussex Damp Experts team consistently demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and courtesy. They're always punctual, maintain excellent communication, and go above and beyond expectations on every job. I cannot recommend them highly enough for their outstanding service.

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