What is rising damp and how to check for it

Rising damp is a common issue many home and building owners face. It’s typically characterised by a damp or wet patch that starts close to the floor and begins to rise as time progresses. The walls in your house are porous by nature and will absorb moisture similar to a sponge. Typically, this is not an issue as houses are designed to have effective damp proof measures – however, these can sometimes fail.

Rising damp is not the same as other forms of damp. For example, there is also penetrating damp, which can be caused by other structural issues such as damaged brickwork or a leak elsewhere in your home. Condensation can also be a symptom of rising damp, however it is separate from damp itself.

Recognising rising damp can be critical, as if it is allowed to progress it can have serious consequences for both the building and your health.

If you experience any of these issues, Biocraft South West’s leading damp proofing specialists can help diagnose and amend the issue.

What causes rising damp?

Rising damp is caused by an excess of moisture at ground level. Your home and other buildings may have built with a damp proof course (DPC), however, if this DPC has been poorly installed, or become damaged due to age, this becomes an easy entry point for moisture into the walls.

DPCs can also become ineffective if materials such as soil, plaster, or brickwork are built up against and higher than the damp proof course. These materials act as a bridge; they will absorb moisture, bypassing the DPC and introducing it into the inner structure.

Issues with the damp proof course are not the only cause of rising damp, however. If there has recently been heavy rain or flooding, the oversaturation of moisture in the soil beneath your home may introduce it into the walls.

The dangers of rising damp

Rising damp is a serious issue that must not be taken lightly. It is unlikely to improve on its own and will require specialist intervention to ensure the source of the issue is resolved, so that the damp within the walls may then be resolved.

If rising damp is not treated, it can cause structural issues within the building. Whilst rising damp may seem to only cause visual issues such as damaged plaster or peeling wallpaper, it can cause deeper issues with the internal brickwork and carpentry of your home.

Furthermore, excessive moisture in the air caused by damp can cause health issues, particularly breathing issues or allergies. Damp can also encourage the growth of mould which can be extremely hazardous to your health.

How Biocraft South West Can Help

Damp Surveys

At Biocraft South West, we offer detailed and professional damp surveys, that will assess your property for any signs and causes of damp. With the recent introduction of Awaab’s Law (check out our post about that for more info), our surveys also offer assurance that property owners, landlords and housing associations are meeting their legal obligations.

Be proactive when it comes to protecting your home and your assets – book your damp survey today!

Damp Proofing Services

If our survey results in the discovery of a damp issue, we offer a variety of damp proofing solutions to resolve the damp issue for good. Our professional damp proofing specialists can apply various techniques to prevent further ingress of moisture into the building. This means the damp is resolved permanently and you can rest easy, knowing your home or other building are protected for the future.

Visit our contact page to get in touch with a member of our team. Whether you just want advice, or want to book our damp proofing services – we’re always happy to help.

Guaranteed Damp Treatments

All of our remedial damp and timber treatments come with a 10-year company guarantee, and, as a PCA approved contractor, our treatments can be further supported by a 10-year insurance backed guarantee, giving you absolute peace of mind when choosing our services.