How to Know If You Have Damp Walls

Damp walls in and around the house are a significant issue for homeowners, and it is crucial to locate them and treat the source of the problem as soon as possible to avoid further issues. Because there are many types of dampness, the way to treat water on walls varies. Damp patches on your home’s internal walls can be a real pain because they are not only unsightly, but the moisture and dampness on the walls can cause mould.

One way of identifying if dampness is there on walls is by pressing the back of your hand against the wall and checking if it feels wet or colder than the other walls. Although there are more accurate methods of determining the severity of the problem, feeling the damp area compared to a dry place on the wall can provide a good indication of how bad the dampness on your wall is. So, here are three ways by which you can identify a damp wall and treat it with ECO grants before it gets worse.

Identifying Condensation on walls

Condensation occurs when moisture is absorbed into the warm atmosphere of the property and then condenses on cold surfaces such as windows or windowsills as the property cools. The reasons for this can vary, but it could be due to cracks in the wall allowing draughts and airflow into the property, or it could be due to a lack of constant airflow or ventilation.

Identifying Rising Damp on walls

Rising dampness on the walls will only affect the walls of a property’s ground floor. ‘Generally, horizontal brown or discoloured patches form on the areas that are visible up to 1 metre in height on interior walls; these are known as “Tide Marks”. The bubbling of the plaster caused by the constant expansion and contraction of salt crystals drawn from the ground can also be felt through the fabric of the wall, thus indicating a rising damp issue.

Identifying Penetrating Damp on walls

Penetrating dampness arises on the exterior of a building and can cause severe damage if not treated early and adequately. You may notice damage to the property’s internal walls and watermarks on the masonry. When there has been a lot of rain, the rainwater usually evaporates from the brick. However, in some cases, moisture falls to fade and is then allowed to flow through the inner surface of the wall, resulting in dampness.

Treat Damp Walls on Your Property Today

Dampness in your property must be appropriately identified for the proper treatment to be carried out. Insulating Homes Ltd has extensive experience with eco funding government free loft insulation for all measures, including walls, loft, roof and floor insulation, and damp wall problems. Under the (ECO4) Scheme, you can get up to 100% grants for Cavity Walls and Loft Insulation. For more information, contact our experts today.