Penetrating Damp
Penetrating damp can enter a property in many ways, it is usually caused by water moving through walls from the outside of the building, penetrating damp most usually occurs in older buildings with solid walls.
Penetrating damp is typically triggered by building defects, for example defective pointing, leaking rainwater guttering or running overflows. External defects directly or indirectly lead to the presence of dampness on internal surfaces. For instance, penetrating dampness can be caused by the roof, as a result of missing tiles, roof ridge tiles or as mentioned above, defective pointing.
Identifying Penetrating Damp
There are several ways that penetrating damp can be identified.
- Damaged internal decoration – damp, discoloured tidemarks in line with external ground level on internal services
- Rotting floor timbers or skirting boards – wet rot decay
- Mould growth – musty smell, spoilt decoration
- Damaged plaster – blistering, salting and disintegration
Causes of Penetrating Damp
Lateral penetrating damp – This is caused when the external ground level is higher than the building so moisture manages to penetrate the walls
Building defects: Penetrating damp is typically triggered by building defects, for example defective pointing, leaking rainwater guttering or running overflows. External defects directly or indirectly lead to the presence of dampness on internal surfaces.
For instance, penetrating dampness can be caused by the roof, as a result of missing tiles, roof ridge tiles.
Treatment of Penetrating Damp
We offer Single Membrane and Cementitious Tanking system solutions to treat Penetrating Damp caused by high external ground levels. These solutions will provide a dry internal wall surface, making the cellar or basement rooms of your property habitable again.
If the problem is caused by building defects, these can easily be repaired by a competent builder/plumber. Once the wall has dried out and there is no damage to plaster/decay in timbers, then you can re-decorate.
If the problem is caused is caused by lateral penetrating damp, the most effective solution is to lower the external ground level adjoining the wall. This is often impractical and very costly.
