Damp: Common Causes and Signs

We’re no strangers to rain at any time of the year here in the UK, but the run up to winter can be particularly wet. With climate change bringing soggier winters and more frequent floods, damp is a problem that most property owners will have to content with at some stage. Not only can damp cause damage to your property it can also have serious health implications for people who use the space. Preventing water from entering your building in the first place and getting a handle on any problems early are the key to protecting tenants and keeping damp damage at bay. Here a few of the things to consider when checking your property for damp problems.

1. Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation can cause moisture to build up inside the property, leading to mould growth. Look for mould spores and feel for cold, clammy areas, particularly around doors, windows and chimney breasts and in kitchens and bathrooms. From blocked vents and capped chimneys to those super snug double-glazed windows, anything that stops the air from circulating and moisture from escaping can increase condensation. Conversely, cracks and gaps that allow drafts inside can also create cold spots. When the warm air inside meets this colder area, it condenses into water and dampness occurs. Keeping your ventilation systems well-maintained and repairing any holes that may be allowing cold draughts inside can go a long way in helping to prevent damp.
2. Drainage: water need to be encouraged to flow away from your property. Damp or mouldy patches on walls, floors and inside loft spaces are indicators that water is seeping in somewhere. From the top of your roof to the depths of your drains, you need to make sure nothing is getting in the way of water drainage. Any missing tiles, tears in your flashing, cracks in walls, misaligned guttering and pipes or leaves in the drains could be causing damp problems. At ground level, standing water is also a problem, so you may need to find better drainage solutions if that’s a problem around your property.
3. Damp proof course: depending on the age of your property, you may or may not have a damp proof course. Even if you do, it can deteriorate over time, allowing ground water to seep up into the property, commonly known as ‘rising damp’. It can also occur if the exterior ground has built up to a level higher than the damp proof course. The tell-tale signs include warped flooring, mould, wetness, peeling paint or damaged plaster in the base of walls. It can be a tricky problem to fix, but if you spot the signs early, you’ll be in a much better position to get it sorted without serious disruption.

Reduce damp damage by keeping on top of your property maintenance

While there are many causes of damp, regular checks and building maintenance are the best way to keep problems under control and avoid the hassle and expense of emergency repairs. If you need help to keep your commercial property in check, give us a call on 01269 841416 or email us at info@groompropertymaintenance. The experienced Groom team of trades can do everything from roofing and groundwork to plumbing and redecorating. Our property maintenance services are available along the M4 corridor area, from West Wales to London and everywhere in between.