Damp is an absolute nightmare that can ruin your home in Pretoria. Sometimes, however, this is what happens. You move an old picture or cabinet to a new place within your home, and discover those tell-tale black mould spots and a slightly dampened patch of wall. If only you had spoken to a damp proofing contractor in Pretoria East.
It is important to recognize that damp is not something you want in your home. If you don’t know there’s a problem, it’s impossible to fix it. This means that damp can cause more damage than just a patch of mould or a wet wall.
It is crucial to immediately take action if you notice any areas of your home that are peeling or bubbling. Mold is more common in older houses. This is why it is important to be vigilant about older properties to look for signs of damp or mould.
Did you know that damp can affect the appearance of your property by creating mould spots? It is important to address the problem quickly. It is crucial to act quickly when dealing with damp.
Below is a list of steps to help you get rid or prevent damp from getting into your home. Here are some tips and tricks to spot mould and damp in different areas of your house.
What causes damp?
Newer properties are more susceptible to damp. This is due to damp being caused by older properties and building methods. Insufficient ventilation, poor weatherproofing, cracks in foundations and external walls, leaky gutters, poor plumbing, and other factors can cause damp in older buildings. Older properties had solid walls without damp proofing courses and poorly waterproofed roofs. Rain and other water sources could easily get inside these buildings.
What are the differences between damp and dry?
There are four types of damp. These include rising damp, condensation, lateral damp, and penetrating mois.
Condensation
While condensation is often mistaken for an old house, it could be indicative of a deeper and more serious problem. A sign of excessive condensation is the presence of high levels water vapour in the property. Water vapour must come from somewhere. This is often a sign that there is a damp issue in the property.
Rising Damp
Rising damp is the kind of damp that can cause homeowners to be afraid. The consequences of this type of damp can prove very serious. Rising damp is indicated by ‘tide marks’ on walls, which are areas that appear to be rising. These areas may be darker than the rest of a wall and feel damp to the touch. Rising damp can be a sign that there is a problem in the foundations of your property. Cracks may appear, allowing water to enter the structure, and then rising through the property.
Lateral Damp
Unlike rising damp, lateral damp has many of the same characteristics as rising damp. However, the water intrusion is usually from an exterior wall and not the property’s foundations. It can be caused by leaky gutters, missing tiles or cracks in walls.
Penetrating Damp
This kind of damp is usually found in the property’s exterior walls. This type of damp usually becomes worse during periods of rainy weather. The damp patches in the property will grow larger as it rains more. Penetrating damp is more common in areas that are near exterior walls and roofs. Broken window joists, leaking drain pipes, and fault water pipes are all possible causes of penetrating moist.
How to spot damp in your home
Signs that your home might be damp are most noticeable in winter, when temperatures are cooler. You can still look out for signs of dampness at any time throughout the year. Here are some ways to test your home for damp.
- Walls. Do you feel the wall is cold or damp? You should look for mould, black specks and damp. No matter what colour or size, any growths found on walls should be examined. A damp problem can also be indicated by flaking wallpaper or curling wallpaper.
- Ceilings. Which ceiling colour is it? Are they discolored in any places? A damp problem can indicate a damp problem. A damp problem can also be indicated by brown spots on exterior walls and near chimney breasts.
- Windows. This could be both a sign and a cause of damp.
- Kitchens and bathrooms. Black mould can be found in grouting and sealants. Black mould can be found in window frames and ceilings.
- Furniture and soft furnishings. You may not know, but mould can also grow behind curtains and soft furnishings.
How can damp be treated and prevented?
The cause and type of damp will determine how damp is treated.
Weatherproof your Pretoria East home
Damaged foundations and poorly weatherproofed properties are common causes of damp penetration. This is common with older properties because of the way they were built and the construction methods. After the crack or foundation has been repaired, it is time to treat cellar floors made of cement with a liquid dampproof membrane paint. This will stop the damp from spreading and act as a cure. To prevent water from getting in and causing more problems, seal the area.
You can paint over areas that have been treated with DPM or cover them with vinyl or carpet.