Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
Damp and condensation are two of the most common problems experienced by homes in the UK, particularly in the areas South of England. While these problems may appear similar, knowing how to spot the differences between them is critical to solving the problem.
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What Causes Condensation?
Condensation occurs when damp or moist air makes direct contact with cold surfaces like solid walls, a mirror, double glazing windows, or window frames. When this takes place, the warm air is unable to hold the water vapour causing water droplets to form.
Moist air occurs for various reasons such as:
– Natural weather conditions
– Human respiration
– Poorly insulated walls
– Poorly vented washing machines or tumble dryers
– Drying clothes indoors without leaving windows open
– Leaving bathrooms and kitchens doors open while in use
– Cooking or showering without extractor fans running
Signs of Condensation
– Black mould patches are the most common sign of a condensation problem and they mostly appear on the walls of a building. Excess moisture in a home allows the mould to form and spread all over the place, giving the room a musty odour which can result in respiratory illnesses.
– Another common sign of a condensation issue in our homes is the accumulation of water droplets on the windows.
– Rotten wood problems, peeling off paint or deteriorating plaster may also occur if a condensation problem is left untreated.
Treating Condensation
Not all condensation problems require professional treatment. Simple lifestyle changes like washing clothes outside if possible, opening windows regularly, leaving windows or kitchen doors open while in use or leaving gaps between furniture and the walls can make a difference.
If the above tips do not solve your condensation issue, then you should consider purchasing an extractor fan or dehumidifier to eliminate the problem or consult a damp specialist London to find the most practical solution to your needs.
Rising Damp
Unlike condensation, which occurs mostly due to human activities, rising damp occurs when the groundwater rises through the wood or bricks of your home in an upwards motion through capillary action. Rising damp is very common in older buildings and can be either due to an absent or failing damp proof course or membrane. Watertight Homes – Damp Proof Firm Halifax specializes in identifying and resolving such issues, ensuring your home is protected against moisture damage.
Signs of Rising Damp
–One of the common methods of identifying rising damp is by the appearance of tide marks on the wall. The tide marks will not go beyond 1m from the ground level. Yellow or brown damp stains or patches may possibly appear on the walls too.
– Just like in condensation your wallpaper or paint will begin to peel off, but the only difference is that the peeling will occur only on the lower portions of the wall.
– Unlike in condensation, white salts will also appear on the walls.
Treating Rising Damp
Unlike in the case of condensation, simple lifestyle changes won’t solve the problem of rising damp. The most common method of resolving a rising damp issue is to hire a damp proof expert to carry out a damp survey before proceeding to install a chemical damp proof course or membrane. Other methods, like an electro-osmotic system, can also be explored.
The Main Differences Between Condensation and Rising Damp
Condensation issues are more prominent during the colder months of the year compared to rising damp that is likely to cause more issues during the rainy weather except there are issues from plumbing. Also, condensation tends to leave small patches of black mould on the walls which have soft, blurred edges in comparison to the stains marks associated with rising damp.
Conclusion:
Having condensation and damp issues in your home can prove to be a huge source of inconvenience for any homeowner, so, it is important to know how to spot and treat them immediately. If you’re still unsure of whether the damp problem you have is as a result of condensation or rising damp, consider contacting a specialist to carry out a survey of your home and also help you determine the best course of treatment.
Apart from this if you are interested to know about Finding the Best Carpets then visit our home improvement category
