Damp, a common problem that can strike when you least expect it. Affecting not just older buildings, but modern new builds. Learning how to remove damp from the house is a life skill that many homeowners should take the time to master.
Whether from the threat of rising damp, penetrating damp to the development and spread of damp and mould built up from condensation, keeping a damp free home can prove tricky without the right understanding of how damp is created.
By learning how damp develops, you can then use your new-found knowledge to learn how to remove damp from the house and stay healthy and damp free.
How is damp created within the home?
When it comes to the development of damp, there are many different factors that contribute to the build up of damp. Whether through the addition of condensation within the home, penetrating damp and even rising damp.
Condensation, if not released and properly removed from the home after cooking or showering can build up and turn into damp. If not correctly ventilated, condensation can build up before turning into mould.
Penetrating damp is caused by the build up of moisture at the top of the property. If you are guilty of not conducting frequent property inspections to your building, you will be unaware of the blockage developing in the gutters and the damaged and missing tiles from the roof. Damaged and worn titles and gutters can create a build up of liquid that will seep into the building through cracks, making their way down the foundation of the property.
The opposite to penetrating damp, rising damp develops at the base of the foundations. With water collecting at ground level, this liquid whether in the basement or cellar conversions will enter into the foundations, whether through cracks, wood or mortar before rising up through the structure. Easy to spot, rising damp can be seen with a tide mark showing where the damp has reached.
How to remove damp from the house?
With damp, not just being a nuisance and creating an unbearable living condition for its residents, damp can also have a huge impact on the health of the property. Causing wood in the structure to rot and with the foundations soft and less sturdy, damp can damage its overall health. This makes the need to learn how to remove damp from the house more important than you would have originally thought. Be sure to not delay the treatment of damp until you next go around to completing desired home improvement projects, instead, treat your house regularly to keep damp at bay by following these recommended methods.
Reduce Condensation
The first of our tips to remove damp from the house and that is to begin to reduce the amount of condensation that you create. From putting a lid on pots and pans when cooking and ventilating bathrooms when showering or soaking in hot baths. For homes that are particularly prone to damp, getting an air dehumidifier could also prove useful in removing damp from the air.
Property Maintenance
For those homeowners wanting to be confident in the condition of both their gutters and the overall health of their roof, frequent property maintenance is recommended. The frequent completion of a property check whether once or twice a year can highlight wear and tear as it happens and allow you to work to repair your property before the return of the wet and windy winter months. By restoring your house when a fault is created, you can prevent penetrating damp from happening and learn how to remove damp from the house.
Waterproofing of your property
Whether you are considering either a basement or a loft conversion, waterproofing your property is recommended. Through the addition of a cavity drain membrane, you can add an additional protective layer to your home to prevent moisture from seeping in and damaging the structure. For homeowners suffering from rising damp, then bringing in a qualified builder to complete a much needed DPD Damp Proofing treatment can stop rising damp in its tracks and remove it for good.
Heat your home
A key top tip for how to remove damp from the home and that is to begin to heat your home. By turning up the temperature gauge a few degrees, you can remove damp in its early stages and stop it from developing. With damp thriving in cold properties, turn up the heating during the winter months and making sure that your home is forever ventilated, can help to ensure that you can keep living damp free.
The effects of damp on the health
We have learnt how damp is created and how to remove damp from the house, but what are the consequences of living in a home that suffers from damp?
With damp over time developing and turning into mould, it is the build up of mould that homeowners need to take particular care with.
When mould develops, mould will start to produce spores to help it reproduce and develop. These are allergens and are tiny, invisible spores that float within the air and can cause health issues for those living within these damp environments.
Those who suffer from respiratory problems or with allergies should take particular care, as symptoms experienced when living with mould can include: trouble breathing, coughing, wheezing and a tight chest.
Making the need to treat and remove damp as it develops a priority for all homeowners.
Conclusion
Affecting homeowners throughout the country, making sure that your property stays damp free is a must. Not just for the condition and health of the property, but also for your overall health.
Leaving damp untreated, can see it develop, spread, before turning into mould.
With mould playing a detrimental effect on the welfare of its residents, keeping your home well ventilated and damp free is essential.
Whether you choose to conduct the necessary waterproofing, property maintenance or reducing condensation, learning how to remove damp from the house is a must.
Have you had a damp problem? Or perhaps you are following all the above steps and are still seeing condensation within the property. Comment below and share your experience with us.
