EWJ June 2024 web - Journal - Page 97
The Dangers and Difficulties of Damp
Damp in properties is a serious issue when it occurs. From health issues to structural damage,
an excess of moisture can have significant effects on individuals and business owners.
Damp in properties is a serious issue when it occurs.
From health issues to structural damage, an excess of
moisture can have significant effects on individuals
and business owners.
result in rotting timbers and damage to plastering and
masonry. If these are not addressed, the structural integrity of the property can be affected, leading to an
increased risk of damage.
Many of the materials we use in construction contain
moisture which dry out both during and after the construction process. However, if these are not allowed to
dry out properly, or additional excess moisture is introduced which does not have a way to escape, this
can result in damp.
The difficulties of damp
Ultimately, damp is always caused by an excess of
moisture within the property, but where this moisture
comes from is not always clear. Determining the cause
of damp is one of the first steps to taking corrective
action. Without knowing what is causing it, time and
money could be spent in unnecessary and ineffective
remedial work.
While it is easy to say that damp is caused by excess
moisture, there are many aspects that can cause or
contribute to the build-up of moisture. Here are just
a few examples:
The types of damp
When we are investigating the cause of damp, there
are four primary types of damp we are looking for:
condensation, interstitial condensation, rising damp
and penetrating damp.
l Plumbing or drainage issues, both internal and
l
l
l
l
l
l
external to the property
Blocked gutters or
A leaking roof
A breached or faulty damp proof course
Missing or inadequate damp proof course
Poor workmanship
Poor ventilation
Condensation
Condensation is probably the most common cause of
damp in residential properties in the UK, but also
affects commercial properties.
Condensation is caused when warm air comes into
contact with a cooler surface, such as walls or windows,
resulting in the formation of water droplets. If this excess moisture is not removed, it can lead to mould and
mildew. Condensation is particularly prevalent in
rooms with a high level of moisture, such as shower
and bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
There are too many possible causes of damp to go into
in this short blog. Instead, we want to devote some
time in this article to outlining some of the possible
dangers which not addressing damp could lead to, as
well as the different types of damp that exist and the
difficulties of dealing with them.
However, despite being so common, condensation is
also relatively easy to tackle. If you see condensation
building, ensuring that the moisture is removed will
stop the mould from forming. You can do this by drying the affected area and then looking for ways to improve ventilation within the room, giving the moisture
a way out. Trickle vents in double glazing, the addition
of extractor fans to kitchens or bathrooms, or the use
of dehumidifiers in rooms where the problem occurs
most readily are all relatively cost-effective ways to
reduce levels of condensation in the short term.
If you believe that your property may be affected by
damp, please do contact a member of our Building
Surveying team for some expert advice.
The dangers of damp
Damp in properties will invariably lead to the growth
of mould in various forms. Most of us know that
mould in a property can be harmful to our health. Not
only can the spores aggravate existing respiratory
problems, but the allergens produced by moulds can
cause other allergic reactions, such as sneezing, a
runny nose, red eyes or skin rashes.
If condensation is an ongoing problem, discussing it
with a Surveyor may provide other long-term solutions which will allow the air to circulate, ensuring
your property can “breath” and allow moisture to
escape.
In extreme cases, these allergens can lead to respiratory infections or asthma attacks and have also been
known to impact the immune system, making those
exposed to the mould more vulnerable to other
infections or diseases.
Interstitial condensation
A more serious form of condensation is interstitial
condensation. This type of condensation occurs when
moist air gets trapped inside an enclosed wall, roof, or
floor cavity. As the warm, moist air reacts with the
cooler surfaces, it condenses into water droplets,
which can pool and cause damp. The warm air can
come from within the property or from external
sources, especially on warm days.
Research published in February 2023 has also shown
that damp conditions can also affect the mental health
of those exposed to them, with both depression and
anxiety being more prevalent in those people living
in damp conditions.
But it is not just the effect on health that is a danger if
damp is left unchecked. Mould and damp conditions
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
95
JUNE 2024