What Are the Tell-Tale Signs of Penetrative Damp?

There are numerous types of damp that can affect London homes and penetrative damp is the most common here in the UK. The term ‘penetrative damp’ refers to moisture that enters a building from the roof or external walls, which can be caused by leaks, defective masonry or timber frames. The wet climate we experience in London creates the ideal conditions for penetrative damp and in this article, we take a look at tell-tale signs that indicate penetrative damp is attacking your London home.

• Damp patches on ceilings – All it takes is a couple of missing or dislodged roof tiles to allow enough rainwater to enter the internal roof structure and eventually, the damp will reach the upper floor ceilings. Corners are common locations where any damp patches or tide marks need to be investigated without delay. Damp areas can also be the result of a leaking water pipe; turn off the water supply if you have a leaking pipe or joint and if a damp patch does not dry out, it is likely that the moisture is coming from the outside.
• Damaged, crumbling plaster – Plaster is a great building material, until it gets wet. If a wall is compromised, this would lead to damp plaster on the interior walls and while this needs to be repaired, you also have to source the origin of the moisture. Heating the whole house is one way to dry out a wall; the damaged plaster needs to be removed, the substrate cleaned and a waterproof plaster applied.
• Peeling wallpaper – Adhesive fails when moisture is present, if you see corners of wallpaper turning up away from the plaster, this is a sure sign of penetrative damp. At London Damp Specialists, our certified damp surveyors can quickly pinpoint the source of moisture and along with a detailed report, we can recommend damp-proofing work and we have a working relationship with London’s best damp-proofing contractor.
• Salt stains on walls – Dark stains of salt residue can form after damp impacts a wall; this needs to be removed and it is likely the wall needs replastering with a waterproof product. Rising damp can also leave salt marks and you need to call in a damp specialist as soon as possible in order to minimise damage.
• Vegetation growth on external walls – Fauna needs water and when damp penetrates brickwork and render, moss or other vegetation is likely to grow. Scan the outside walls, looking for any type of growth; all instances should be investigated and remedial work carried out. You can use a screwdriver to test the strength of render and brickwork; if it crumbles, it is time to call in a damp-proofing expert.

London sits on the Thames Valley Basin, a wet region and above average rainfall makes penetrative damp a real threat. We cover all London Boroughs within the M25 and you receive a detailed report once the independent damp survey has been completed.

Don’t take chances when it comes to damp, mould and timber rot; call London Damp Specialists on 020 7523 5882 anytime or complete the online form.