Rising Damp

It doesn't sound like a particularly interesting topic, however a quick search on the worlds favourite internet search engine will show that in some circles rising damp is a very hot topic indeed. The trouble is that it appears that it could indeed be some type of religion or god; does it exist, or doesn't it? The truth of the matter is that rising damp does indeed exist in one form or another, but it is often misdiagnosed, or you can often pay for expensive treatment that really isn't necessary.

Rising damp in buildings may be defined as the vertical flow of water up through a permeable wall structure, the water being derived from ground water. The water rises through the pores (capillaries) in the masonary by a process loosely termed "capillarity." In other words the masonry acts like a wick The common causes are deterioration due to age and bridging of a damp course with internal concrete floors, renders or external paths and earth levels (a damp course is specifically designed to avoid the possibility of rising damp- it is built of a matter of course in all new buildings).

If your house does have a problem (something we will discuss later) then it can cause the following symptons:

For inside walls

• Paint does not adhere to the wall.

• Wall paper lifts and stains appear on the walls.

• Plaster flakes away, feels soft and spongy, bubbles and white powder or crystals appear.

• Skirting boards and floor boards rot.

For outside walls

• Mortar frets and falls out between bricks and stonework.

• Stains or white powder appear on walls.

These problems are mainly aesthetic problems only, however it is conceivable that structural damage could result from extensive rising damp, and of course a damp mouldy environment could pose a health risk to people.

Obviously if you have any of the above symptoms then it is possible that your home is suffering from rising damp, and it would be advisable to get an 'expert' in to look at your home. However this is where you will face a major problem; who is an expert , and who is just a 'cowboy' out to diagnose you with the "worst case of rising damp that he has ever seen, which can only be solved with the most expensive treatment on the market"? Unfortunately there are a lot of companies out there who have targets to meet and profits to make, and the way they do this is by over zealous diagnosing, and charge you hefty fees for carrying out work that may, or may not, fix the problem.

The major problem is that any damp-proofing salesman that you employ to look at your home will use a 'rising damp meter'. These meters are supposed to measure the moisture in materials, however what they actually do is measure the electrical conductance. The idea being that the better the conductance (the ease at which electricity flows) the higher the water content. However these meters can only be calibrated for one material, and that is usually timber. So they will give reasonable results for wood and possibly some plasters, but for bricks, wallpaper and concrete they will give readings that are way too high. Thus they can be used (by unscrupulous salespeople) to indicate that you have rising damp "because the meters says so" when in fact you have a perfectly normal wall.

In summary if you can visibly see a problem with your wall, with obvious signs of damage due to water or salty tide marks then you may have a problem with rising damp, and you will need to try to find a reliable expert to come in and look at your problem. However be very, very wary of any 'expert' who has been employed to do a general survey of your house, or indeed comes around offering a free check up of your building. If they pull out one of these moisture meters, jab it into the wall a few times and declare that you have a major problem, then it is entirely possible that they are a commission based salesperson trying to extract money from you.

Generally, if the wall looks okay, it is okay. If it looks like it is damp, mouldy or has tide marks on it, then you have a problem with moisture, condensation, or rising damp in your home, and you need to investigate things further.

About The Author

Alastair Taylor runs a DIY website that tries to give the consumer the truth about home improvement jobs. Visit http://www.whatprice.co.uk to saves yourself time and money

---

New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen

For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most... Read More

Kitchen Magic

It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth -- I get tired just... Read More

Log Wall Characteristics

Looking at all the beautiful full-color glossy photos of log home in magazines gives us an idealized vision of the perfect wooden house. Like a supermodel, we... Read More

Installing Vinyl Replacement Sliding Glass Doors

Last week I told you how to remove your old sliding glass door in preparation for the installation of the vinyl replacement door. Let's go through the... Read More

?5 Fast Ideas to Freshen the Look of your Room

"Company's coming and my place doesn't look right?"You know how it goes, you have visitors coming tonight. You've cleaned every room in the house (well, maybe not... Read More

Choosing Your Builder: Cheapest Quote Wins?

You have your 3 quotes from each potential builder so choosing the one you are going to trust with your re-modelling, new garage, extension etc. should be... Read More

Seven Interior Design Psychology Ideas for Dining Pleasure

A separate dining room adds glamour, elegance, and excitement to a shared meal. Celebratory, sociable space, apart from the confusion of the kitchen, makes every dinner more... Read More

Marketing For The Home Builder

When one is looking into marketing for the home builder, one should find a number of tools to promote newly built homes and home-building offers:Advertising: the marketing... Read More

Security in Todays World

There are many things in life that are worth protecting. Our children, our valuables, our resources and of course, ourselves. Only twenty years ago, if security was... Read More

Router Bits Basics

A router bit is a tool for woodworking giving a quality finish to woodwork. It cuts wood providing a way to give a clean and even a... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Pre-application Enquiries to the Council - Is the Delay Worthwhile?

The holiday season is now in full swing & for about the next 6 weeks we tend to see a noticeable downturn in the level of new... Read More

Geothermal Heat Pumps 101

It seems like about three million of you have asked me to explain how a geothermal system works. Well, maybe not three million, but it's a bunch... Read More

Use Air Filters and Common Sense for Allergy Relief

Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? If you are one of the millions of people that do, air filters and air purifiers provide much needed relief.... Read More

Sliding Glass Door Replacement

This article is going to be about replacing an old sliding glass door with a modern Vinyl frame sliding glass door. If you currently have french doors... Read More

Bathroom Wall Cabinets ? Create Extra Space with a Touch of Style!

Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom wall cabinets to store all your toiletries and appliances? These days we all tend to have a... Read More

Bathroom Remodel - The Plan

Planning a bathroom remodel? Each home project of this nature can be broken down into 5 distinct steps. Following through each step will help this often confusing... Read More

The Benefits Of Wooden Flooring

They're affordable and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They're easy to install and maintain. They add value to your home, and maintain their... Read More

The Dangers of Pesticides and the EPAs Harrowing Plan to Test Them on Kids

Pesticides are a ubiquitous toxin in our environment. We spray them liberally on ants and spiders in our homes, use them in our gardens and on our... Read More

Glass Sinks ? 4 Unbreakable Rules of Buying a Glass Vessel Sink

1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These sinks are tempered. Tempered glass is regular glass that has been heated to a very high temperature,... Read More

Your Home is Your Symphony

"Dr. Carl Sagan once wrote, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Although Dr. Sagan was commenting on the wonders to be found in the vastness... Read More

Planning Your In-Wall Speaker System

So you've finally decided to get your favorite music throughout your house. What's next? Where do you go from here? That depends upon your requirements and weather... Read More

Styles And Varieties Of Locking Mailboxes For Sale

Locking mailboxes made from durable, weatherproof materials are highly desirable due to the built in safety features and the long-lasting exterior. Your mail will arrive safely and... Read More

Pergo Flooring Is Perfect For The Home or Office

Pergo flooring was invented more than 75 years ago, and has since become the leader in the laminate flooring industry. Pergo has been the leader in both... Read More

A Guide to Portable Dehumidifiers

The United States Environmental Protection Agency says that the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. That's just one reason to invest in a... Read More

Corrugated Roofing Materials Used for Roofing Any Structure

The roof is a very essential element of the house, building or any structure. They provide the shelter and the protection from nature's elements and factors such... Read More

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for both new and old homeowners. This may include painting, using new countertops, vanities, windows, retiling, floors, appliances,... Read More