Damp walls can be an everyday headache that leads to cracking, peeling paint and mould growth – not only is this harmful for your health but it could be dangerous too!
Wall dampness may be caused by broken or clogged rain gutters, crumbling bricks, external wall cracks, fissured windows or doors and leaky pipes; or by substandard building materials and ineffective waterproofing measures during construction.
1. Install a damp-proof membrane or course
Installing damp-proof membranes (DPM) on walls is one of the best ways to combat humidity and stop condensation’s harmful effects, but only when applied properly and minimised at its source. For instance, if poor ventilation is to blame for moisture infiltration into your home then using damp proof membranes won’t stop condensation as they will simply trap it inside your home instead of stopping it altogether.
To prevent condensation from forming in your walls, better insulation can help – as it will keep warm air from moving onto cold surfaces which leads to condensation forming in its place.
As there are various damp-proof membranes on the market – such as Newton DPM and Visqueen Damp Membranes – it is essential that you select one suitable for your property. When making this choice, take into account where you plan to place the membrane; whether on walls or floors; as well as its intended use – moisture protection or something more general that resists both.
DPM (Damp Proof Membranes) are plastic sheets designed to stop moisture from permeating walls and floors. Builders commonly install DPMs below ground level in order to stop rising damp, while above-ground layers act as protection from penetrating damp.
DPM should generally be attached to walls using screws and plugs at a height of at least 1.2 metres and plastered over. When covering existing wall structures, overlap should occur and seals should be made using bitumen sealant or polythene DPM jointing tape for watertight protection.
When selecting a DPM it is also essential to assess how serious the moisture issue is; as this will impact which type of DPM you need. For instance, you will require more specialised DPM if your building has been affected by rising damp or its DPC has failed, since these will need repairing before installing new DPMs. It may also be beneficial to use a moisture meter as this will have an enormous effect on final results.
2. Insulate your walls
Damp walls can be unsightly and cause other significant issues that threaten both the structure of a home and its occupants’ health. Mold and mildew thrive on damp wall surfaces, producing toxic spores into the air that may trigger asthma or allergies in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, extended exposure can deteriorate plaster and paint layers leading to cracking or peeling issues as well as damages supporting structures like wooden beams or metal reinforcements that support them.
Insulation deficiencies are one of the major contributors to wall dampness. Insulation acts as a barrier between cold exterior air and warm interior air, helping decrease how much heat escapes through walls in winter months while also cutting energy bills and improving comfort throughout the year.
Wall insulation can be utilized during new construction as well as retrofitted to existing buildings, making it particularly important for areas with high humidity levels. In the UK, insulation to at least 300mm depth is advised for maximum energy efficiency.
As many factors can contribute to damp walls, including leaky water pipes and plumbing faults as well as external causes like defective roofs, leaking gutters and ground moisture, damp walls could become a serious threat. Stains on walls could indicate that an effective damp proof course should be in place.
Damp walls can seriously diminish the value of any property, making it harder to sell or rent it. They may also lead to discoloration and musty smells which make living spaces unwelcoming and unpleasant, as well as creating ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth. Left unchecked, mold and mildew may threaten structural integrity and threaten other parts of your home as it spreads further affecting quality of indoor environment; damp walls also emit musty scents which deter potential buyers and tenants from viewing or offering prices acceptable to both parties involved – making life harder on all those involved involved.
3. Apply a waterproofing membrane
Damp can wreak havoc on buildings, leading to costly repairs if left untreated. But damp problems can be mitigated through various means including insulation of walls and the application of waterproofing membranes; both methods offer effective ways of protecting buildings against damp. Waterproofing membranes offer great protection from damp for concrete, masonry and wet area sheet surfaces alike.
As there are various kinds of waterproofing membranes on the market, each comes with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. When selecting one for use on your project, be sure to take into account its location, use, materials used and construction process as well as preparation work needed to adhere the waterproofing membrane firmly against substrate surfaces while offering lasting protection from water penetration.
Waterproofing membranes come in either liquid form or preformed sheets, depending on the needs of each project. Liquid waterproofing membranes typically use water or acrylic-based formulations that can be easily applied across a range of building surfaces like basements, foundation walls or wet areas; their cost effectiveness makes them popular choices.
Preformed sheet membranes, made of materials like polymer modified bitumen, polyurethane or polyester can be found in preformed forms that come ready-made in sheets that can be cut to size easily and installed to cover balconies, roofs, slabs and construction surfaces. They offer excellent abrasion resistance.
Before selecting a waterproofing membrane for use on any building, it is vitally important to assess its response to weather events and temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, previous membranes used should be closely inspected to understand how they affected its use or continued causing issues in the structure.
An essential step in identifying signs of wall dampness is being able to recognize its telltale symptoms – such as musty odors or chalky white substances on walls – as early indicators. Dampness may also manifest itself by way of bowing walls that lack proper support or insulation, showing itself through signs such as sagging.
4. Ensure adequate ventilation
Damp can be an enormous source of discomfort for homeowners as well as health risks. Excess moisture encourages mould, fungi and bacteria growth which releases airborne spores, cells and volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere causing serious structural damage as well as unpleasant musty odors that linger long after exposure has ended. Furthermore, prolonged exposure may irritate throats, eyes and cause respiratory symptoms resulting in further issues for home owners and their health.
Moisture in buildings can often be caused by multiple factors, including roof leaks, rainwater seeping through walls and poor ventilation. Therefore, it’s crucial that your property has sufficient ventilation in order to prevent moisture accumulating in walls – this can be achieved by opening windows or installing extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms; alternatively you can use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity in your home.
Proper ventilation will also aid in avoiding condensation, one of the leading causes of damp in buildings. Condensation happens when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces like walls or ceilings and condenses into water droplets that form dampness which damages surfaces like paint as well as contributing to black or green mould growth that poses health threats.
To identify dampness, the easiest way is to look out for visible signs of moisture damage such as peeling wallpaper or cracked paint. Furthermore, you may detect musty odors and feel dampness of walls and furniture. Damp conditions create the ideal breeding ground for mould and mildew that can form black or green patches on walls and furniture alike and spread through to surrounding surfaces; additionally mould spores can irritate throats and lungs and be particularly bothersome for those suffering with asthma or allergies.
Penetrating damp can often be the result of leaky roofs, broken gutters or brickwork that has been compromised, as well as issues with plumbing or leaky pipes. You’ll usually be able to spot it by yellowy brown staining on walls around it – an easy indicator.