Rising Damp

It doesn't sound like a particularly interesting topic, however a quick search on the worlds favourite internet search engine will show that in some circles rising damp is a very hot topic indeed. The trouble is that it appears that it could indeed be some type of religion or god; does it exist, or doesn't it? The truth of the matter is that rising damp does indeed exist in one form or another, but it is often misdiagnosed, or you can often pay for expensive treatment that really isn't necessary.

Rising damp in buildings may be defined as the vertical flow of water up through a permeable wall structure, the water being derived from ground water. The water rises through the pores (capillaries) in the masonary by a process loosely termed "capillarity." In other words the masonry acts like a wick The common causes are deterioration due to age and bridging of a damp course with internal concrete floors, renders or external paths and earth levels (a damp course is specifically designed to avoid the possibility of rising damp- it is built of a matter of course in all new buildings).

If your house does have a problem (something we will discuss later) then it can cause the following symptons:

For inside walls

• Paint does not adhere to the wall.

• Wall paper lifts and stains appear on the walls.

• Plaster flakes away, feels soft and spongy, bubbles and white powder or crystals appear.

• Skirting boards and floor boards rot.

For outside walls

• Mortar frets and falls out between bricks and stonework.

• Stains or white powder appear on walls.

These problems are mainly aesthetic problems only, however it is conceivable that structural damage could result from extensive rising damp, and of course a damp mouldy environment could pose a health risk to people.

Obviously if you have any of the above symptoms then it is possible that your home is suffering from rising damp, and it would be advisable to get an 'expert' in to look at your home. However this is where you will face a major problem; who is an expert , and who is just a 'cowboy' out to diagnose you with the "worst case of rising damp that he has ever seen, which can only be solved with the most expensive treatment on the market"? Unfortunately there are a lot of companies out there who have targets to meet and profits to make, and the way they do this is by over zealous diagnosing, and charge you hefty fees for carrying out work that may, or may not, fix the problem.

The major problem is that any damp-proofing salesman that you employ to look at your home will use a 'rising damp meter'. These meters are supposed to measure the moisture in materials, however what they actually do is measure the electrical conductance. The idea being that the better the conductance (the ease at which electricity flows) the higher the water content. However these meters can only be calibrated for one material, and that is usually timber. So they will give reasonable results for wood and possibly some plasters, but for bricks, wallpaper and concrete they will give readings that are way too high. Thus they can be used (by unscrupulous salespeople) to indicate that you have rising damp "because the meters says so" when in fact you have a perfectly normal wall.

In summary if you can visibly see a problem with your wall, with obvious signs of damage due to water or salty tide marks then you may have a problem with rising damp, and you will need to try to find a reliable expert to come in and look at your problem. However be very, very wary of any 'expert' who has been employed to do a general survey of your house, or indeed comes around offering a free check up of your building. If they pull out one of these moisture meters, jab it into the wall a few times and declare that you have a major problem, then it is entirely possible that they are a commission based salesperson trying to extract money from you.

Generally, if the wall looks okay, it is okay. If it looks like it is damp, mouldy or has tide marks on it, then you have a problem with moisture, condensation, or rising damp in your home, and you need to investigate things further.

About The Author

Alastair Taylor runs a DIY website that tries to give the consumer the truth about home improvement jobs. Visit http://www.whatprice.co.uk to saves yourself time and money

---

Bamboo Flooring Is Taking The Design World By Storm

Are you looking for something different for your house? Maybe... Read More

Bedding is Fashion for the Bed

Ladies, we spend a lot of time in the morning... Read More

Lighting and your Kitchen - How to Design a Lighting Plan that Cooks!

Your kitchen, more than any other room in your home,... Read More

Home Automation Enhances Your Lifestyle and Saves Money - Exciting Home Automation Applications

Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care... Read More

Beautiful, Elegant Bathtubs that Spruce Up any Bathroom

Bathtubs have become an important necessity of our daily life... Read More

5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project

1. What experience does your contractor have with this type... Read More

Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers!

If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider... Read More

The Benefits of Radiant Heat, Comparison

What are the Benefits of Radiant Heating and how do... Read More

Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Any remodeling idea for a small kitchen must address the... Read More

If You Want to Bring Your Bathroom Up to Date, Consider Fitting a Shower Stall

Modern shower stalls look sleek and stylish. If you have... Read More

Spring Deck Prep Tips

It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture... Read More

Where?s the Care Label for my New Bedspread?

I love bedspreads, don't you? A comforter can be used... Read More

Making the Most of a Small Bathroom

In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be... Read More

?5 Fast Ideas to Freshen the Look of your Room

"Company's coming and my place doesn't look right?"You know how... Read More

How to Select Exterior Shutters

Installing exterior shutters is a relatively quick way to add... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More

Dual Pane Window Glass Repair

For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how... Read More

How To Give Your Home More Space

Have you been wondering how to free up space in... Read More

Planning Your DIY Project

Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through... Read More

Securing Your Castle

In the world of today, we no longer employ the... Read More

Metal Carports: Steel Carport Guide

Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a... Read More

Home Improvement for The Ladies!

Your Own Homes Improvement Outline(One for the Ladies)Let me begin... Read More

Your Home is Your Symphony

"Dr. Carl Sagan once wrote, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting... Read More

A Guide to Portable Dehumidifiers

The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that the way... Read More

Pool Decks ? Add Ambiance to Your Above Ground Pool

Above ground pools are beloved by many and have gained... Read More

Deck Building Basics

In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I... Read More

Wholesale Vinyl Flooring Is Perfect For Wherever You Need It

Wholesale vinyl flooring is the perfect solution for people who... Read More

Make Your House A Home

When thinking about polished floors, cushions in place, an exquisite... Read More

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Every one lives in a house but every house is... Read More

Designing Great-looking Window Coverings on a Budget

Window coverings are one of the most important focal points... Read More

If You?re Looking for Bedding, Think ?Pink?

If you have come to a point in your life... Read More

Motion Detector Technology

Motion detectors are in use all around us in both... Read More

Planning Your Replacement Windows Installation

Windows are the eyes of a home. From inside, you... Read More