Services

London’s Rising Damp Professionals

Are you concerned about rising damp in your London home or business? Get in touch with our team today for an immediate assessment.

We’ve been assessing and eliminating rising damp throughout London for over 20 years.

What Are The Signs Of Rising Damp?

Rising Damp has many of its own signature signs to indicate its presence:

Tidemarks or damp stains on your walls
Damp proof coursing is damaged or perished
Salts showing in the plaster
Damp or wet patches appearing
Wallpaper or paint is peeling
Plaster is flaky or bubbling
Skirting boards or flooring is rotting
Black mould is present
Iron or steel fasteners are rusting
Bricks and mortar are crumbling
There is a damp, musty smell

As you can see, many of these symptoms on their own would present a problem, but some would cause the structural integrity of your property to be compromised.

If you have noticed one or more of these problems in your home or business, it’s best to take action before it escalates to a serious level.

It’s always advisable to seek the advice of an expert if you suspect a rising damp issue. If you are in London Refresh is the consultation you need. We can talk you through the symptoms of your property and help you decide on the best course of remedial action.

What Is Rising Damp?

Rising Damp are not welcome words for any homeowner. A dampness problem of any type isn’t good news but rising damp can be particularly troublesome, which is why it has such a bad reputation.

Building work or altering the ground level can sometimes damage the damp proof course, or raising the floor level above the protective layer can stop it from doing its job too. Older properties may have a breached DPC such as a gap in the slate which was commonly used when damp courses were first introduced.

Rising damp is moisture contained in the materials of your wall – like a sponge. Bricks, cement and mortar are all full of porous capillaries which suck up the damp sources like mini straws, so they start to fill up, and the continuous moisture source creeps it’s way up the walls and porous surfaces it comes into contact with.

Because the damp areas are permanently moist, this then encourages fungus to grow and this fungus eats away at the walls and timber structures.

Do I have Rising Damp in my residence?

If you have a modern home, you’ll usually have the safety net of a damp-proof course (DPC) in place to limit the damage, but if you have an older property, built before 1875, this protective barrier is unlikely to be in place.

Initially it may be difficult to recognise the signs of damp – they become more prominent over time. If you are not sure, it’s best to contact a professional to conduct a survey for you.

How serious can it be?

Here are potential far reaching consequences of a damp issue left to spread:

Hazardous to health
Growth of mould & bacteria
Corrosion of damp areas
Unpleasant smells
Wall damage and tide marks
Insulation damage
Electrical damage

Leaving damp will cause it to spread, and cause additional damage to walls, concrete, brick & more. It can also be hazardous to health, harming respiratory & immune systems.

Mould alone is a dangerous issue. You’ll need to be certain that the mould spores are treated effectively as they can cause health problems if you’re regularly inhaling the irritants and in some cases toxic substances in the spores.

Untreated damp can also cost more to fix, therefore it’s better to address it sooner rather than later.

Once damp starts to cause structure damage, prices can go up exponentially. You could end up renovating the entire basement, when all that was needed was an afternoon of proofing from our team!

How Do I Fix A Rising Damp Problem?

One of the most common problems we encounter is a damp misdiagnosis (read about diagnosing correctly here). Many damp problems have their own set of issues which, if not dealt with properly will result in the damp problem returning before too long.

Each project we take on is different and requires a bespoke approach. Here is how Refresh generally approaches a project:

Survey and analysis

First it’s fundamental to conduct a full assessment of the problem. We use our equipment and expertise to discover the full extent of the damp. Walls, floors, ceilings, depth, root causes and current damage.

Address the root cause first

Before you can correctly cure damp, you need to ensure you’ve established that it is in fact rising damp (not penetrating damp or other variants), and you also need to find the source of the problem.

You’ve probably heard of the phrase ‘papering over the cracks’ and this is exactly what you’d be doing if you try to fix a damp problem without removing the issue which is feeding it.

Dry out the area and wait

Once the root problem causing dampness has been dealt with, the next step is to dry out the area, then wait to see if the problem is still present.

Proofing against future incursions

The final and most important step is to install measures to prevent damp coming back in future. There are a myriad of options when it comes to damp proofing – we will work with you to decide on the best approach.

DIY solutions to help reduce/mitigate damp yourself

Each project we take on is different and requires a bespoke approach. Here is how Refresh generally approaches a project:

Keep the house dry

Self explanatory, wipe down window moisture daily, ventilate when cooking, keep the bathroom as dry as possible.

Avoid having wet or damp material inside

Don’t hang your wet clothes or anything with moisture nearby.

Ventilation

Ensure any moisture can exit through a window or vent to prevent it settling down inside.

Purchase a dehumidifier

Leave it in proximity of the wet area to dehumidify some of the moisture.

Keep your house temperature warm & consistent

Sharp rises and drops in temperature can cause condensation, which feeds the damp.

Deal with any mould aggressively

Store bought mould killer is effective – getting rid of mould spots will slow the spread.

Use damp resistant wallpaper & paint

If you are decorating, the right paint & wallpaper can be a huge help long term.

Need a Survey or Consultation? Damp expertise in London

Consulting a local expert is the best way to find the source of, and remedy a rising damp problem.