Penetrating damp refers to water that has managed to sip through an external wall and into the property. This normally happens when there is a hole or a leak in the external parts of the building whether it’s the brick or the stonewalls have deteriorated and become porous which allows water to leak into the internal part of the property.

Lateral damp and penetrating damp are both terms used when talking about moisture or water that has penetrated from the exterior into the interior of the building.

What are the leading causes of damp penetration?

Penetrating damp can come about from building defects or poor workmanship when it comes to the roof coverings, rainwater pipes that sport leaks, or faulty ceilings of the doors and the windows. Usually when the exterior material starts to degrade it allows for water to enter through the walls and this can cause penetrating damp.

Things like frost or age or even physical damage from natural occurrences like storms and serious or severe weather are the main reasons why some buildings have penetrating damp.

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How Can I know If I have a penetrating damp problem?

Penetrating damp can be a serious issue in that it can cost lots of money in structural repairs of the property. To prevent such extreme cases from happening it’s really important to recognise the signs of damp penetration so you can deal with them and fix them before they become worse.

One of the signs of damp penetration to look out for is plaster that shows signs of falling apart or is shaped in other ways. There is a term referred to as salting and this simply means water that has entered into the exterior walls of the building consists of natural salts and they will leave behind a fluffy type of residue that you can feel or see around the plaster’s surface.

If you notice that there are areas or patches of dampness along your interior and exterior walls that do not become dry then this can be a sure sign of damp penetration.
Mould can also be a tell-tale sign of damp penetration, sometimes it is accompanied by a very mouldy or musty sent.

If you notice the interior decoration of the plaster or the walls can be discoloured or show damp spots then you may have penetrating damp.

Lastly, something to look out for can be the rotting of your skirting boards and even the floor timbers. Look out for rotting in both wet and dry space as they are both indicators of damp penetration.

How severe can penetrating damp be and what damages can come from this?

Even if penetrating damp does not successfully penetrate the entire wall or exterior, it can cause significant amounts of damage. Such damages might be dry and wet rot, moist plasterwork, and unpleasant mouldy smell. You may also notice that in the colder months the masonry might be subject to some frost damage on both the outside and the interior of your property.

So you have penetrating damp, what next?

If you are sure that all the signs lead to penetrating damp, you should do something about it as soon as possible before the problem gets worse. Think of it like a toothache. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets.

Check out Southern Damp Proofing penetrating damp treatment website and read all the information you need to understand exactly what you are dealing with and how you need to treat the problem.

Getting in touch with a specialist for penetrating damp

COntact our specialists and get advice on the penetrating damp problem. Our specialists at Southern Damp Proofing are always happy to help. Our surveyors highly equipped and qualified to identify, and to treat such things like penetrating damp, fungal deterioration, wood boring insects, and increasing penetrating damp.

We also provide additional services like surveying for cavity wall. It’s quite normal for our clients to buy properties with the hopes and intentions of renovating, whether big structural changes like completely removing walls, or converting living spaces to best fit their needs. We can help you by giving advice on how to prevent penetrating damp before it even begins and what necessary steps you need to take to make sure your property will never face these issues. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry because all of our services come with a long-term warranty, which can be passed on to or signed over in a contract if you ever decide to sell or rent your property.

If you have any more questions or need further information about penetrating damp, and the issues surrounding it or even the treatments and steps taken to rectify the situation, please contact Southern Damp Proofing.

FAQ’s

How much does treatment cost?

The cost of treatment varies depending on factors such as the level of damage done, the size of the damaged area, the type of treatment required. You can get a Southern Damp Proofing specialist to take a look at the affected area and provide a no-obligation quote.

Can I treat penetrating damp myself?

While is is not impossible, many homeowners make error in diagnosing the damp area in their home. This could worsen the damage and lead to more time and money spent. There may be more than one damp issues affecting the property. You will at least need a specialist to correctly diagnose the problem so as to determine the right treatment to eliminate all the damp issues.