Is Your Home Displaying These Warning Signs of Damp?
Dampness in the home is a more common problem than you might think, over 50% of London homes suffer from it to some degree! The initial signs of a growing damp problem in your home can be subtle, so it’s important to be able to spot the warning signs early before your home is damaged, and worse yet, before you and your family begin to suffer from any of the adverse health effects living in a damp home can cause!
The following are some warning signs that your home should undergo a damp survey to see if it needs damp proofing:
The Walls Are Cold And Damp – If your walls feel cold and damp to the touch, it’s because there is moisture present in them. During cold weather, your home’s walls will experience condensation forming on their surfaces. This dampness can lead to more serious problems like wood rot and woodworm if left untreated over time, as well as warping and even an eventual collapse caused by oversaturation!
The Home Has A Musty Odour – The presence of an unpleasant, musty odour that never goes away is a telltale sign that your home has a damp problem. When your house smells musty, the most likely cause is the presence of mould and mildew growing in wet spots. You may not see the mould at first, but it’s there, growing in the damp crevices inside your walls.
Visible Signs Of Mould and Mildew – Once the mould and mildew expand to a point where they are visible, you can be sure that moisture is present. You will see black, white, or green patches appearing on your home’s surfaces, such as around windows, on the walls, and on ceilings. Look for these patches to first manifest in rooms that experience high humidity like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. The presence of moulds and mildews often points to serious moisture problems like condensation, rising dampness, or penetrating dampness. Moulds and mildews are very hazardous to human health, so make sure to order a mould survey as soon as possible to assess the causes of the infestation!
The Paint or Wallpaper Is Peeling – If you see bubbles, peeling, or cracks forming in your home’s paint or wallpaper, it is a sure sign that moisture is seeping out from the walls. This is a result of the plaster beneath the paint soaking up moisture, which makes the wallpaper or paint lose its grip on the surface. The underlying causes might include cracks in the outside walls, a leaky roof, or not having enough ventilation.
If you are observing any of these warning signs in your home, consider arrange for the damp specialists in London to come and perform a survey of your property. Based on their findings, they can also provide you with solutions to stop the moisture and prevent further damage to your home! Just call Damp Proofing Ltd on 020 7593 8030 during office hours or fill in the online form and know that help is on the way!