Now, while dampness includes the build-up, penetration, and rising of moisture, various factors contribute to damp infiltration. Out of these factors, there are 3 in particular with major contributions.
With that in mind, here are the three possible causes of damp to look out for in UK homes.
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Consistent Rain and High Humidity
It’s important to note that London homes are highly vulnerable to damps. A reason for this is the climate of the region. While there are hot sunny days, the UK is most famous for its temperate climate, consisting of humid, mild, and damp conditions.
This often results in constant rain and high humidity. In the same vein, damps in the form of condensation accumulate on surfaces like windows, walls, and even floors.
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Lack of Damp Preventive Measures
While damp is often caused by natural factors like humidity, a lack of human intervention increases the vulnerability of the household to dampness. In other words, if you don’t set up adequate damp-proofing measures, there’s an increased likelihood of having your wall penetrated by damp.
You see, UK buildings are as old as they get, and because of that, they lack damp-proofing measures that are common with today’s buildings. This leaves the structure vulnerable to damp infiltration.
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Poor Air Circulation and Ventilation
Also, because of the nature of London buildings, there’s often a lack of ventilation, leading to poor air circulation across the building. When that happens, moisture in the air condenses and accumulates on different surfaces.
London homes are also poorly spaced from each other – another major cause of the poor ventilation that causes the home to be prone to damp.
How Do You Identify Damp In Your Household?
Finding the exact cause of damp in your home is never easy due to the many possibilities. However, to make this process easier, you should look out for the different signs of damp in your home. It’s basically the same as using the signs and symptoms of an illness to identify it and its causes.
So, here are the signs that indicate damp in your home:
- Black mould spots on walls, ceilings, and skirting boards
- Musty damp smell
- Tide marks on internal walls
- Dark patches on internal walls
- Stained or peeling wallpaper
- Blistering paint
- Discolouration and flaking plaster
- Cracks or holes in mortar joints, renders, and masonry surfaces
- Wet patches which are exaggerated after rainfall
- Green growth on external walls
Treating Damp In London Homes
After identifying damp and its causes, the next step is to seek any of the multiple damp proofing specialists London has to offer. That way, you get professional assistance and detailed solutions.
Conclusion
Many factors cause damp in the home. However, poor ventilation, excess moisture, and a lack of damp-proofing measures are the major contributors. So be sure to rectify these issues when you discover them to prevent the growth and accumulation of damp.
