The top signs you need a damp survey
The British Isles are, by nature, wet. We can’t do anything about this – it’s simply a fact of life. But what business does that moisture have in our homes?
Damp doesn’t come from the presence of water directly. Rather, it stems from droplets sitting in place without circulating through the building and returning to the atmosphere.
Damp can have a lasting impact on a home, eventually leading to more severe problems (like rot). On this page, we’ve put together a few of the most obvious signs that you need a damp survey.
Keep reading to learn more.
Lasting presence of condensation
Condensation is water droplets ‘condensing’ from the air onto a surface. You’ll see it much more when warm air comes into contact with a cold surface such as glass, metal, or almost anything white or silver.
In itself, condensation is nothing to worry about. It’s a natural process, and finding some on the mirror, windows and metal taps after a shower (especially in winter) is expected. However, it should dissipate relatively quickly.
If the condensation doesn’t reabsorb into the air (evaporate) for some time, the humidity content is too high. This is usually a sign of poor ventilation, creating further damp problems.
To be sure, we use a thermal imaging camera to find a cold spots and identify where cold bridging and insulation issue are occurring. This is where were condensation is more likely to form.
Musty smell in a room or overall house (including the loft)
A musty smell is a sure sign of the presence of damp. Avoid putting it down to ‘just the smell of the laundry room’ or ‘what the loft has always smelt like’. Somewhere, there’s a problem and a way to fix it.
Don’t neglect your loft. Any damp problems that form here could impact your home from the top down and even lead to more severe issues like wet rot.
One of the most common problems in a loft space is easily remedied: homeowners accidentally block off the ventilation. Decluttering your attic a little can work wonders.
Sticking windows and doors
Have you noticed your windows and doors sticking or even refusing to open or close entirely? This is a tell-tale sign of damp.
When moisture penetrates into wood (which it will because it’s porous), it causes it to swell. This might impact your doors or windows as well as their frames. As the material gets larger, it doesn’t allow movement in the same way.
Hinges might also be affected by rust in damp environments, making windows and doors more challenging and ‘sticky’ to swing open.
Finding mould in corners
Mould is a mild health risk, but it’s also rather gross. It thrives in cold, dark and damp conditions, so finding black or white patches on your walls or ceilings means your home is suffering from a combination of these.
As well as removing the mould and all its spores, you’ll need to find and eliminate the cause of the damp. Otherwise, it’ll simply return before long.
Brown patches on outer walls
Brown patches on outer walls might represent penetrating damp. After condensation, this is the other main damp type affecting residential properties.
Penetrating damp means moisture absorbs through the walls and into your home. It’s most common in older historic properties without modern waterproofing, but it could technically happen to anyone, anywhere.
While a new waterproofing layer might be out of budget for many homeowners, chartered surveyors might recommend alternative maintenance plans, such as improved ventilation.
Flaking wallpaper
The final thing we think is worth mentioning is flaking wallpaper. This happens when it gets damp. You’ll see it furling up and pulling away from the wall in a few areas.
Flaking wallpaper is a sign of moisture affecting the wall. It might stem from a source in the room, the wall, the room or hallway to the other side, or even from the space above.
A detailed inspection might be needed to find and repair the source of the problem.
How GB Home Surveys helps eliminate damp from your house
GB Home Surveys is a nationwide business with friendly teams based in local offices throughout England (the South-West and the West Midlands) and South Wales. Each of our employed inspectors is a chartered surveyor, meaning they’re registered with RICS.
If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms mentioned in this article in your home, there are ways it can be remedied. Don’t worry. But first, you’ll need to know the root cause (or causes), or all your work will be for nothing.
That’s where a Damp Survey comes in. A chartered surveyor inspects your home and pinpoints everything you can do to reduce the damp’s impact on your home. In return, you’ll see increased property market value and a higher standard of living.
To get in touch with our team for a commitment-free chat about Damp Surveys, why not use the form below? We can’t wait to hear from you and see what we can do to help.
