Can Damp Proofing Improve Indoor Air Quality?

You may think that just because you are indoors most of the time that you are safe from pollution. The thing is that pollution is not just limited outdoors. It exists even inside your home. In fact, more and more studies are saying that indoor air is more polluted as compared to outdoor air.

Various things can cause indoor pollution. Mould growth, which happens because of a damp problem, is one of the top causes of poor indoor air quality in a lot of Irish homes. Other so-called biological pollutants such as viruses, bacteria and animal dander also contribute to the problem.

The absence of proper ventilation is another cause of indoor pollution. There is also smoke from fireplaces, chimneys and wood-burning stoves. Another is the use of products with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these are gases released into the air from liquids and solid. They are contained in paints, hobby materials and home improvement products, amongst others.

Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality on Your Health

The thing is indoor pollution is just as harmful as outdoor pollution. What makes it more dangerous is the fact that most people spend a considerable amount of their time indoors. While poor indoor air quality can affect anyone, young children and elderly people are most susceptible to its ill effects. It is also harmful for pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Poor indoor air quality may cause breathing difficulties, sneezing, coughing and wheezing, skin and eye irritation, headaches and dizziness. Long term exposure may lead to allergies and respiratory ailments like bronchitis and chronic pulmonary disease. In children, particularly infants, being exposed to indoor pollution increases their risk of developing asthma later on in life.

Damp Proofing and Other Practices to Have Better Indoor Air Quality

If you or members of your family exhibit any of the aforementioned symptoms or feel sick after staying indoors for quite a while, you may want to check the air quality in your house. It is also important to note that, just because you aren’t showing symptoms or feeling sick, it does not mean that you have clean, pollutant-free air in your home. Remember, it may take a while before symptoms appear.

While it can’t be completely avoided, indoor air pollution can be minimised and prevented from causing health problems. The key is to be vigilant and proactive. If you have poor ventilation, address it immediately.

The appearance of condensation on windows is a good indicator that your home is not properly ventilated. Dampness, as mentioned earlier, promotes mould growth. So, if you suspect dampness or mould is present in your home, make sure you call a damp proofing service provider ASAP.

Some companies like Advanced Damp Proofing can conduct a home survey to determine the potential cause and location of your damp problem. After the survey, they’d provide you with a proposal on how you can address the damp problem, reduce toxins and improve the overall air quality in your house.

You can also greatly reduce indoor pollution by carefully choosing the home improvement and cleaning products you use. One ingredient you should look out for is limonene, commonly found in cleaning products and scented candles. While it is generally safe, limonene can mutate into formaldehyde, a hazardous gas, when it comes into contact with air. So, as much as possible, avoid products with limonene or, better yet, use environment-friendly products which do not contain chemicals harmful to your health.

In addition, do not dry wet clothes indoors since moisture can make your home more humid and susceptible to damp problem. Lastly, see to it that your home is well ventilated. Make sure that your ventilation system is efficient and working properly.

Damp proofing can improve indoor air quality! Make your home safer for you and your kids! Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Damp Treatment and Other Ways to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution

Poor indoor air quality, be it in houses or offices, is a growing problem in many countries, including Ireland. Unfortunately, not a lot people are aware that there is such a thing called indoor pollution and it is as dangerous as outdoor pollution.

For one, when indoor air quality isn’t good, your health can suffer. You may experience headaches, dizziness, coughing, sneezing and skin irritation. Moreover, continued exposure to indoor pollution can lead to the development of skin and respiratory illnesses like skin allergies and asthma.

Having poor indoor air quality can also impact your comfort and productivity. For some people, staying indoors, even just for a short time, can make them sick. If this happens to you, it can be impossible for you to feel comfortable in your house or office. Furthermore, as simply staying indoors can make you feel ill, your productivity may suffer as well.

Clearly, it is not just your health that is affected when air quality in your house is poor; your overall wellbeing suffers, too. So, this is not a problem you can afford to ignore. You need to make sure that air in your home or office is not hazardous. So, how can you prevent air pollution and improve air quality indoors?

Monitor Humidity Levels

It is no secret that high humidity levels attract dust mites and moulds. According to reports, dust mite population rapidly increases when humidity hits over 50 percent. Meanwhile, having a relative humidity of 60% and above is conducive for mould growth. What should the humidity level indoor be? A relative of humidity of 30 to 50 percent is recommended to prevent dust mites and moulds from taking over your home or office and affecting the air quality.

Have Proper Ventilation

Poor ventilation is also one of the causes of indoor pollution. Without proper ventilation, there can be excessive moisture and high humidity levels indoors. Reports say that four people can produce around 112 pints of moisture each week. So, just imagine how much moisture is in the air when your home or office is not properly ventilated!

Nowadays, a lot of building are built with energy efficiency in mind – double glazing, insulation and other strategies. However, the trade off for these features is usually reduced air quality. This should not be the case. You can have both – an energy-efficient and a well-ventilated building. One option is to open windows for air to circulate properly. Another is to install an efficient ventilation system.

Damp Proof Your Building

Damp can ruin your building’s appearance and in some cases, it can compromise its structural integrity. More importantly, it can jeopardise your health. For one, constant exposure to damp environments may cause throat irritation, difficulty breathing, bronchitis and chronic pulmonary diseases, amongst others.

Apart from proper ventilation, damp treatment can protect your building from excess moisture and consequently, damp problems. Most modern structures now have damp proof course. However, this does not mean that these buildings are safe from damp problems. It’s still possible for them to have damp issues. This is why it is important that you stay vigilant and be on the lookout for telltale signs of dampness in your house or office. If you suspect any damp problem, make sure you call a trusted damp proofing company right away.

Minimise Smoke Indoors

You already know that smoke is one of the top sources of outdoor pollution. Indoors, smoke is still present, primarily because of cooking. So, to minimise it, have an effective exhaust hood.

It is also important that you ban smoking indoors. Avoid using scented candles as well since they release gaseous pollutants and particulate matter when lit. Moreover, even when they are not burning, scented candles emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Be Mindful of What You Buy

A lot of stuff you put or use indoors contain VOCs, from building materials to household products. Paint is one of the most common sources of VOCs. Fortunately, nowadays, there are paints which contain low or no VOCs at all.

To prevent these harmful gases from contaminating indoor air, examine the products that you buy. As much as possible, choose those which has “low VOC” on them. Alternatively, you can opt to get eco-friendly stuff instead.

Learn about damp treatment and other ways to prevent indoor air pollution. Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Damp Proofing – What Causes Damp?

A house is perhaps the single most expensive thing you have ever purchased in your life. This is why it can be worrisome to see signs of damp in your property. After all, damp is not an issue you can just dismiss. When left untreated, it can cause major damage to your house which can be very expensive to repair. Moreover, it can make you sick and even cause you to develop chronic illnesses.

Unfortunately, damp is a fairly common problem in Irish homes. It affects all kinds of houses – old, new, period or traditional, modern, one-storey, two-storey, etc. However, in terms of house age, it tends to be more prevalent in older properties. One reason for this is that damp proofing is now a part of the house construction process of most builders.

Yet, even new properties still experience damp and other related problems like mould growth. Why does this happen? For one, damp proofing is not mandatory. Hence, some companies who probably want to scrimp on construction expenses forego damp proofing the houses they are building.

Another reason why a new, “damp-proofed” house may still be affected is because of improper damp-proofing. For example, an injected damp-proof course needs to completely dry and cure properly for it to serve its purpose. If it is introduced to a wet wall, this would not happen; instead, the wall can become even more saturated with water.

It could also be the case that the damp proof membrane was not properly installed by the builders. It is also possible that the damp proof course has cracked or become defective because of wear and tear or other factors like movement of building subsidence.

However, one of the top causes of dampness in houses is a plumbing defect. This can include failing waste pipes in old bathrooms, corroded pipes in walls and damaged seals in showers, amongst others. Although water released from a plumbing defect is minimal, it is still capable of causing big damp patches which are very conspicuous. This is because, while the amount of water coming out is small, the flow is consistent and it hits the same spot.

Poor ventilation is another common cause of damp. Even without leaking pipes, it is possible for your house to have excess moisture. How? For one, it is because of people living in the house. In fact, much of the moisture present in the house comes from humans. Reports say that one person loses about 8 pints of water in just 12 hours!

When your home is not properly ventilated, excess moisture is unable to escape out of the house. This leads to condensation damp, the most common type of damp problem, which can be dangerous as it promotes the growth of moulds and bacteria. As you may already know, these organisms can cause various kinds of diseases.

Suffice it to say, damp is a common occurrence in many houses. Nevertheless, it is still a problem that should not be taken for granted.

To avoid costly repair expenses and health problems, make sure that you immediately call a damp proofing company if you suspect damp in your house. Furthermore, take the necessary measures to minimise or prevent moisture build up in your home, i.e., regularly check pipes and gutters and install an efficient ventilation system. Meanwhile, if you are building a house, make sure that the damp proof course is properly installed.

Need a damp proofing specialist to find out what is causing the damp in your house? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Why Damp Treatment Is Important

Is it important to treat any damp problem your house may have? Yes and you need to address the issue immediately! Dampness in your home is not something you should ignore. Doing so can be costly and dangerous.

When you don’t deal with damp quickly, you run the risk of subjecting your house to structural damage. The presence of damp promotes dry rot. This is not a problem you would want to have since dry rot makes wood brittle. In addition, dry rot problem spreads easily and quickly. Basically, the longer you wait to fix the problem, the more extensive the damage will be and the more expensive the cost of repair will be.

Moreover, when the damp has compromised the structural integrity of your house, it would not be safe for you and your family to live in it. You would not have peace of mind, especially if your children are living in your house.

Aside from damaging your property, damp problem can cause health issues. Prolonged exposure to mould has been linked to breathing difficulties, chronic coughing and sneezing, eye irritation, skin rashes and upper respiratory tract problems. In some cases, nausea and bleeding in the lungs were experienced by patients as well.

Anyone can suffer from the ill effects of being exposed to moulds. However, children, elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune system are more susceptible. There are studies which claim that unborn children of pregnant women exposed to moulds can be come affected as well.

So, to protect your house and your health, please do not take for granted any damp issue your property may have. As much as possible, fix the problem immediately. More importantly, see to it that professionals treat the problem.

How Do You Treat Damp?

The first thing you need to do is to look for a damp treatment service provider in Ireland. Please do not attempt to fix it on your own. You can expose yourself to more danger if you work on your property’s damp problem, especially if moulds are involved. This task requires the proper attire and equipment as well as skills and experience to effectively fix the problem.

Nowadays, finding a damp proofing company is not difficult because of the Internet. All you need to do is entre search terms like “damp proofing company in Ireland” and you’d be presented with various companies. However, please do not choose a service provider solely because it is the first one on the list. Make sure that the damp treatment company has good reviews from previous clients. This is the best way for you to find out if the service provider renders excellent service.

The first thing a damp treatment service provider is going to do is to survey your property. This is necessary for them to ascertain the presence of damp, identify its source of and identify the kind of damp problem you have. Bear in mind, there are different types of damp. Hence, it is essential to know what the specific problem is for them to properly address it.

After the survey, the service provider is going to give you a report which contains their findings. This includes a proposal on how to treat the damp, how long it would take and its cost. Work commences once you sign off on the project.

Dampness in the house can really be worrisome given what it can do to your property and your health. But if you catch this problem early and treat it immediately, you can prevent it from causing tremendous damage to your house and health.

Looking for a damp treatment service provider in Ireland? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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How to Choose the Right Dublin Damp Proofing Contractor

It is not enough that you hire a damp proofing company to address a damp or mould problem in your property. If you want to ensure long-lasting solution and excellent service, you must hire the right service provider. This task is not easy since you need to employ a stringent selection process. But it is not impossible to accomplish it for as long as you follow the guide below.

Learn About Damp

You need some basic understanding on what damp is, its types and the treatments available. Having knowledge about this stuff would greatly help you weed out legitimate Dublin damp treatment companies from the fake ones. Furthermore, knowing the types of damp and the treatments recommended for each one can protect you from spending on pricey solutions which you may not really need.

Ask About Their Qualifications and Training

Properly treating damp requires specialised knowledge and skills. It is not something one learns to do by simply watching “How To” videos online. This job requires formal training, one that is conducted by an experienced damp proofer or a trusted training provider. A reputable damp treatment company knows these requirements. Hence, it ensures that its employees have the qualifications needed to their jobs well. They regularly send them trainings to improve their skills and stay abreast with latest damp proofing treatments and techniques.

Look at Their Experience

The right Dublin damp proofing contractor for you is one which has an extensive experience treating damp. It is a company that has worked on various kinds of properties as well as different types of damp problem, from rising dam to dry rot. Having been in the business for years, this type of contractor has seen it all. Hence, you can count on them to know how to successfully deal with the problem no matter how bad it is.

Find Out Who Their Partners Are

A reputable damp treatment contractor has partners who are trusted in the industry – i.e., product manufacturers and damp proofing organisations. These manufacturers and organisations do not just partner with any contractor; they only work with the best. Hence, if the contractor shows that they are an accredited partner of an established company, it is a good indicator that they can be trusted to deliver first-rate service.

Check Their Portfolio

A good way to find out about the contractor’s quality of work is to check previous jobs they have done. Don’t worry – this does not mean you have to visit properties they treated.  You simply need to request for their portfolio. It is also highly recommended that you check out photos of works they have carried out which is similar to what they will do in your property.

Check What Clients Say About Them

So, the contractor convincingly answered all your questions and showed an impressive portfolio. Does this mean you should hire them already? Not yet! You can’t just rely on what they’ve said or what they’ve shown you. You have to find out what their clients say about them. Nowadays, you can use the Internet to get this information. You can visit online business directories and the contractor’s website to read customer reviews. Remember, a good damp proofing contractor has several 5-star ratings and glowing recommendations from previous clients.

Be Present During the Survey

Do not skip the survey as this is a good opportunity for you to find out how the contractor works. A good damp treatment company knows that properly diagnosing the cause of the problem is the key to effectively treating it. Hence, they are thorough when surveying a property. They take pictures and make notes. They inspect the outside and inside of the property. They also interview homeowners like you to learn about the house’s damp history and damp proofing works that have been done. Lastly, they provide an extensive written report about their findings – their observations and recommendations.

Find Out If They Offer Any Guarantee

It is important that you pick a company that offers guarantees on their work and the materials they use. This shouldn’t be a problem since most contractors offer guarantee. But make sure you read the fine print to determine what kind of warranty they offer. Ideally, you should get a service provider that offers insurance-backed guarantee. This way, even if the company stops operating, the work they did on your property is still covered.

Looking for the right Dublin damp proofing contractor for your property? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Damp Proofing – What Is Tanking?

Basements and cellars are usually damp. This is mainly because their walls are below the ground. Hence, water easily seeps through the walls and spreads to the different parts of the room.   Consequently, due to the damp, these rooms tend to have a musty, mouldy or foul smell.

This is why, even if these areas have ample spaces, they are not fully utilised or are not even used at all. This shouldn’t be the case, though. You can turn your basement or cellar into a dry space and use it without worrying about damp and related problems like moulds.

How can you protect your basement and cellar from damp? Tanking is the answer! Basically, tanking is all about damp proofing areas of the house which are below the ground or those with external walls which are not accessible just like basements and cellars.

In this method, a membrane that is impermeable to water is applied on the walls. This barrier or membrane’s purpose is to block water that comes from below which happens when water table rises. It is also meant to prevent water coming from above to entre and flood the basements and cellars.

One of the two most common tanking systems is external tanking. As the name suggests, this method involves the application of a membrane or coating to the outside of the structure to prevent water from getting inside. The membrane is usually installed during the construction of the building.

Aside from external tanking, there is also internal tanking which is used after construction. It is likewise applied on existing basements or cellars, especially those with external sides which are not accessible.

Tanking systems may last up to 10 years. If it is installed properly, it may even last longer. However, please note that certain factors can affect its longevity. For example, if you live in an area where it always rains or where flooding usually happens, your tanking system may have a shorter life span. Living in a place near busy roads or a railway line may also make the lining more vulnerable to cracking.

If you suspect that there is something wrong with your tanking system, call a damp proofing company right away. Remember, damp in these areas can spread quickly. When this happens, the damage can become extensive and affect the structural integrity of your house.

It is also important that you entrust the application or repair of your tanking system to a professional damp proofing company. Nowadays, there is an abundance of materials, including videos, on the Internet on how to “tank” basements and cellars. This may encourage you to go the DIY route. However, this is not a good idea, especially if you have no prior experience.

We’ve had clients who attempted to do this job on their own or got amateurs to do it. Unfortunately, this decision did not yield good results – the repaired tanking system did not last long. Worse, the damage has become more extensive, resulting in more costly repairs.

Please bear in mind, basement or cellar tanking is not something you learn overnight. Successfully doing this task requires specific skills and extensive experience; professional damp proofing specialists have both. Moreover, they have the required tools and materials needed to do this job properly. So, if you want your tanking system to last long, let professionals do the job!

Looking for a damp proofing specialist to repair a failed tanking system? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Damp Proofing Company Dublin

Damp Proofing company Dublin

Finding a patch of damp on the living room wall or having a survey come back identifying damp in the basement can be worrying for any householder. Damp and damp proofing are subjects that we hope we never have to engage with and ones that the average homeowner knows little about. After all, most of us will have heard of a damp proof course, but many don’t know whether that is a treatment that can solve our problem or a programme of lessons for builders.

How can I tell if I have a damp problem that requires damp proofing?

Visible signs of damp or mould on the walls, as well as walls feeling wet and cold, are all signs of damp. But don’t panic, as not all causes of damp are complex or costly to repair. It is far better to contact one of our damp proofing experts and get the problem checked than to leave it to get worse. We at Advanced Damp Proofing are experts and can be trusted to carry out the work to the highest standards and undertake only the work that needs doing to deal with your damp problem.

The causes of damp can be broken down into three main categories. These are penetrating damp, damp caused by condensation and rising damp. A damp proofing professional should be able to swiftly identify which one is causing your damp problem.

Penetrating damp can be caused by anything from a broken pipe or leaky roof to a blocked drainpipe or the level of ground outside your property. Fixing the cause of the damp usually solves the problem, but in some cases you may need damp proofing to stop it happening again, particularly if the external ground level is the cause or if you have a basement. If you have a basement your damp proofing contractor may decide that you need a cementitous tanking, which is a system that seals the inside of the basement with cement, preventing damp from penetrating your walls from the earth outside.

Rising damp is the most complex form of damp to deal with,. Rising damp can be caused by a faulty, damaged or non-existent damp proof course in your external walls, as well as by leaking pipes at the base of the wall or previous damp problems that have caused water to pool at the base of the wall.

So, what is a damp proof course?

The damp proof course is usually a layer of slate or plastic damp proofing material that is laid between the bricks near to ground level and should stop damp rising from the ground up through your walls. If it is damaged or compromised in some way it you will need a new damp proof course, which is usually in the form of an injection of chemicals just above ground level. Specialist plastering work completes the job and ensures your walls stay dry inside and out.

What other solutions might Advanced damp proofing suggest?
Where damp has been caused by flooding in a basement or cellar, the contractor may decide that a system using a pump and a waterproof membrane is the best ongoing solution to your damp problem. This does away with any excess water and will guarantee that walls stay dry.

How do I know that damp proofing will work?
Our damp proofing experts at Advanced Damp proofing will offer you a guarantee for their damp proofing work, which should be valid for around 30 years depending on specification of works.

So if you have a damp issue or related problems call our team of experts at 01 – 8417716 and we will arrange a survey on your property coupled with a detailed report of our findings.

As a fully accredited Wykamol contractor we are constantly being made aware of any new products, methods and applications which allows us to give a tailored solution to your particular problem.

In order to book us for your damp proofing needs – call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Is Damp Treatment Beneficial for Your Health?

Damp ceilings and walls are not unusual especially in high moisture areas in the house like the kitchen and the bathroom. However, while their occurrence is fairly normal, it is something you should not ignore.

For one, the dampness may cause yellow patches to appear on the walls or ceilings. It may also lead to the growth of mould which manifests as grey, brown or greenish-black substance that covers the surface. These things can make your home look unsightly and untidy. It can also cause unpleasant odours.

In the long run, the dampness can ruin the aesthetics and compromise the structural integrity of the house. Paint on walls may crack or flake, the wood may rot, and concrete walls may spall off.

Effects of a Damp House on Your Health

Yet, more than the cosmetic damage that it does, untreated dampness in the house can have serious health repercussions for you and other members of your household.

As mentioned earlier, a damp environment is a breeding ground for moulds. One of the most notorious types is the black mould, greenish-black in colour and thrives in kitchens, baths, toilets and basements. A lot of black mould species are toxigenic – they release toxins which are harmful for humans. Repeated and prolonged exposure to these fungi can result in mould poisoning or mycotoxicosis.

Mould poisoning targets the upper respiratory system. Some of its common symptoms include itchy or red eyes, coughing, wheezing, itchy skin and a cold or a flu. Meanwhile, those with pre-existing conditions like asthma may exhibit severe symptoms such as allergic reactions, frequent coughing, fever and headaches.

Unfortunately, some people do not exhibit any of the aforementioned symptoms of mould poisoning. Hence, the problem may progress and affect you physiologically, neurologically and emotionally. On top of losing your hair, you may experience stomach or muscle cramps and numbness of extremities. You may also become sensitive to light and gain weight. Moreover, you may suffer from memory loss and confusion.

Suffice it to say, mould exposure is dangerous – it can weaken your immune system and cause your brain function to deteriorate prematurely. The thing is, mycotoxicosis may affect anyone regardless of their age or gender. However, younger (like children) and older people (senior citizens) are more susceptible.

Damp Treatment for a Healthier Household

Clearly, if you value your health, you cannot neglect a damp issue in your house, be it in the kitchen, bathroom or basement. Furthermore, this problem needs to be addressed immediately. So, quickly hire a company that offers professional damp treatment services.

While there are countless blogs and videos on how to address damp walls or homes, it is still best to let professionals do the job. This is the best way to ensure the treatment is done properly. Furthermore, if black moulds are present, only trained professionals, those with the training and tools, should do the task. Otherwise, without the proper suit and materials, you may be exposing yourself to more harm.

Basically, before working on your house, the damp treatment service provider is going to determine the cause of the damp and assess the extent of the damage before proceeding with the treatment process. With this, you are guaranteed that the moulds are completely eliminated, and the root of the problem is removed.

Furthermore, damp treatment isn’t just about removing damp patches in your house. It is also about protecting the structural integrity of your home. With damp proofing, moisture decay can be avoided or minimised. Consequently, this can prevent damp from causing structural damage to your property.

Looking for a damp treatment service provider? We use tried and tested methods and first-rate materials to treat damp. Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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Damp Proofing – What Are the Different Types of Damp?

Solving any damp issue in your house cannot commence without first identifying the cause. This is because different types of damp require a specific kind of treatment. Knowing what kind of damp problem you have is the key to effectively and quickly “curing” it.

Types of Damp Problems

Condensation: This is the most common kind of damp issue. It is particularly prevalent in modern houses and those which had upgrades for standardised energy efficiency. Condensation occurs when warm air with water vapor gets cooled as it comes into contact with a cold surface like a wall or window. It may also get cooled as it loses heat because of the colder environment. This process results in the production of water which may appear on the surface.

This type of damp problem promotes mould growth. This is why this issue can be a health hazard as mould poisoning or mycotoxicosis may happen. Condensation may also cause paint and wallpaper to peel.

The top telltale sign of a condensation problem is the appearance of moulds. Other signs include the appearance of droplets of water on the affected surface and musty smell inside the room or on clothes and furniture.

Rising damp: This is due to moisture or water rising from the ground (but not more than 36 inches above it) to the floor or walls. Oftentimes, tide marks are observed on the wall as well as white salts.

This problem happens when a house does not have a damp proof course (DPC), a waterproof material meant to prevent moisture from rising through the walls. It could also be the case that the existing DPC on the property is already defective.

It is only observed in basement floors and ground floor rooms. When left untreated, a rising damp can lead to wallpapers lifting or developing brown tide marks. Plasters may bubble and wooden floors may rot.

Penetrating damp: Water from the external surfaces penetrates or enters the inner surfaces because of defects in the structure of the house. Some of the usual culprits include missing roof tiles and leaking gutters.

Moisture that enters the inner surface has no escape route, thereby creating a noticeable damp patch on the affected area. The affected area may also appear wet with a brown stain outline and may feel damp when touched. The tide marks caused by this problem may stay even during the dry months.

Just like in rising damp, penetrating damp may cause plasters to bubble and wallpapers to lift. It commonly affects external walls, ceilings and the ground floor level of the house.

Damp from plumbing leaks: Over time, water and waste pipes may corrode or get damaged and leak. When this happens, a single damp patch may appear. If the leak isn’t fixed, the patch may grow bigger. Moreover, the patch will look and feel damp even when the warmer weather comes. Aside from a damp patch, water may be seen especially if the leak is near the surface.

When not treated immediately, damp from plumbing leaks can cause floor boards and wooden joists to rot. This can be very dangerous as it may eventually lead to the structure collapsing. It is also highly likely for moulds to grow on affected areas.

Admittedly, correctly identifying the type of damp present in a structure is not easy. It requires knowledge, experience and tools. Therefore, if you suspect that there is a damp problem in your house, it is best to call in an expert like a damp proofing specialist. With this professional’s help, you are assured that the problem is going to be correctly identified and the right treatment is going to be administered.

Looking for a damp proofing specialist to identify and treat the damp problem in your house? Call us at 01 – 8417716 (telephone) or 086 – 7907555 (mobile) today.

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