There are many issues you need to keep an eye out for in your home, including the presence of damp. With the ability to cause a range of issues, damp is something to be on the lookout for and, ideally, solved as quickly as possible. So, what is damp and how do you know if it’s serious?
Damp is the presence of unwanted moisture on your home’s surfaces, leading to dangerous black mould if it’s left untreated. This is serious, because not only can damp damage your property, but the resulting black mould can have serious health implications. Getting to the root cause of your damp is important and can save on costly repairs.
Read on to find out more about what causes damp, if you should be worried about damp, what will happen if you leave damp untreated, and more.
What Causes Damp?
Damp is caused by the build-up of water and moisture in your property. The following common signs can help you identify dampness in your home:
- Condensation on windows.
- Discoloured or dark patches on your plaster.
- Water droplets on your wall or surfaces.
- Rotting woodwork.
- The presence of black mould.
You can find out more about dealing with damp in your property here. Alternatively, our surveyors are on hand to help, so contact us today to find the source of your problem and get on the path to solving it.
Should I Be Worried About Damp?
Dampness in your property can cause a multitude of problems, for both you and your building. If it’s left untreated, damp can cause black mould, which is dangerous and can lead to health issues. Fevers, coughs, and other unpleasant symptoms can all result from the presence of black mould, so dampness should be seen as a serious issue.
Damp walls and surfaces can also cause significant damage to your property. Rotting wood, growing fungi, or other serious structural issues are a possibility. This is why it’s important to get help from a Crest surveyor if you’re worried about damp in your property or one you’re considering purchasing.
What Does Severe Damp Look Like?
There are many common signs of damp you need to be aware of, but some of them can be more serious than others and are a sign of severe issues:
- Mould: Black mould can be harmful to your health. If you’re seeing it in your property, you need to resolve the damp issues as soon as possible.
- Crumbling Plaster: Severe damp can cause plaster to start crumbling, especially lower down on your walls.
- Rotting Wood: Not only can excessive moisture start to rot your skirting boards, but your floorboards too. In combination with other factors, this can lead to structural issues.
Discolouration: Severe damp can begin to discolour your walls, ceilings, or floors.
How Can I Tell Where Damp Is Coming From?
Identifying the source of damp early is key to treating it and preventing further impact on your property. There will be signs both inside and outside the building that will help you find out where the moisture might be coming from.
Inside:
There are multiple ways to find the source of damp on the inside of your property. They can include:
- Rising damp is a sign of damp coming from the ground and will often affect the lower parts of your property. Marks on walls no more than one metre from the ground or rotten skirting boards can both be an indicator of rising damp, among other things.
- Wallpaper peeling from the lower parts of your walls.
- Other wooden elements rotting.
- A stale smell.
Outside:
External walls can also provide a good indication of where excess moisture might be entering your property. The following list is just a few things you can look out for to help you find the source:
- Damaged brickwork.
- Growth of moss or algae.
- Blocked or damaged gutters.
- Missing roof tiles.
How Do I Know If My House Is Too Damp?
There are some simple ways to find out if your property is starting to become too damp. You might see condensation on your windows, especially in the morning. You can also check your walls. They might feel damp or cold to the touch, which is a sign of excess moisture. It’s also possible that you will notice a rise in your utility bills, as dampness may make your home feel colder. Moist air also requires more energy to heat than dry air, so eliminating as much excess moisture as possible should be a focus.
How Do You Know If Damp Is Affecting You?
The health impacts of dampness in your home are just as important to recognise as the possible structural issues it can cause. There are an abundance of ways the presence of damp and resulting mould can affect you personally, but here a just a few:
- Respiratory Issues: The majority of contact made with the dangerous products of damp happens through breathing them in. This means that many of the health issues caused are found in the lungs and airways. Symptoms can range from a general cough to an increased risk of developing infections.
- Irritation: Some may suffer from allergic reactions after exposure to damp or mould. Eye irritation and itchy skin are both signs that the damp in your home is affecting you.
- Other Infections: Other fungal infections can also be caused by exposure, especially in those with weakened immune systems. This includes, but is not exclusive to, skin infections.
- Mental Health: Living with damp or mould could also impact your mental health. This could be due to the damage to belongings, delays in repairs, or many other obstacles you might face before treating the issue.
What Happens If Damp Is Left Untreated?
The more serious your damp problem is, and the longer it is left untreated, the worse the risks to both you and your property are likely to be. Structural damage, interior damage, and health impacts can lead to huge financial and emotional costs.
Not only can damp issues mean higher heating costs, but an ongoing problem can make it difficult to sell or remortgage your property. All of the resulting problems mentioned in this blog can be avoided if you treat dampness as soon as possible. Get in touch to start the process with Crest Surveyors today.
Trusted Surveying Services
If you’re worried about issues in your property or a property you’re looking to buy, we can provide you with expert house surveys to give you piece of mind and allow you to fix issues before they get worse.
All of our surveyors are members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and have years of experience offering you great support and expert advice.
You can count on us for:
- Value For Money: We aim to provide great value services, no matter your individual requirements.
- Superior Support: Crest provides expert advice tailored to your needs.
- Fast and Reliable Service: With most of our surveys, you can expect results within six working days.
- Excellence: All of our surveys and valuations meet the rigorous requirements set out by RICS.
- Stronger Negotiations: We can help you secure the best possible price, whether you’re buying, selling, or renting.
Interested in booking our surveying or valuing services? We’ll be happy to talk you through our services and give you a hand in deciding what’s right for you. Then, we can schedule an appointment to get you started. Get in touch with Crest today to find out more about what we can do for you.
FAQs
Will A Dehumidifier Get Rid Of Damp?
A dehumidifier can help with dampness in your home, but will not get rid of it completely. They work by extracting moisture from the air, and can help reduce moisture levels and prevent mould. However, dehumidifiers are less effective in larger areas and will not address the root cause of dampness. Finding and addressing the origin of the issue is key and our surveys can help with this.
When Should I Worry About Damp?
On top of the common signs of damp we mentioned earlier, you can also look out for others, like a musty smell that isn’t coming from something else, or bubbling and peeling paint. There are many things that can tell you if your property is developing issues with damp, and it’s important you get them treated as soon as possible.
How Do You Know If Damp Is Making You Ill?
Damp in your home can cause a range of symptoms:
- Respiratory Problems: Such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
- Allergic Reactions: Such as sneezing, skin rashes, or a runny nose.
- Irritation: Such as a sore throat, or red, itchy eyes.
Existing allergy conditions and asthma can also be worsened by dampness and its resulting mould. Certain groups of people, like the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, are more at risk. If you have symptoms that persist, please see a doctor.