How to Prevent Damp

The UK’s wet climate means houses, particularly older ones, can be prone to damp problems. Damp that is not dealt with can cause serious damage to furnishing and, in severe cases, structural damages and ill health. If you have to claim on your home insurance due to damage caused by damp, your premiums are likely to rise. Plumbing, windows, doors, and any exterior walls, floors or roofing can all be potential sources of damp. Faulty gutters, poorly fitting or damaged walls or door and cracked roof tiles can all cause damp in the home. The best way to prevent damp is to regularly check and maintain your household. Always make sure your guttering is clear, there are no broken or missing roof tiles or cracks in the walls. Other causes, such as plumbing leakages or gaps between doors and frames can sometimes be harder to detect until damp actually appears. If this is the case, do not worry as damp can be dealt with although acting immediately is essential in preventing serious damp problems. Insulate pipes to prevent them freezing and cracking over the winter months. Fit rubber insulation along door frames and clean and refit window sills or add a weather bar. If you have a damp chimney stack be sure to repair it with a waterproof sealant and add ventilation bricks that allow moisture to dry out. Damp proof paint can also be sufficient in preventing damp spreading along a wall. Cavity walls, where two layers of brick are constructed with a gap in between, is actually a great method of protecting against damp and the majority of houses built in the last 50 to 60 years have these. At the base of these walls, damp proof course is installed although older houses may have had a damp proof course installed at a later date. If this is done incorrectly or the damp proof course is not well maintained, the effectiveness of it quickly diminishes. If you live in an older house and you find you need to install the damp proof course, be sure to use reputable contractors to install any damp proof course you purchase. If you’re planning on doing it yourself, find a good guide and make sure you know what you are doing. Should your house succumb to damp, plenty of ventilation will often solve the problem. Airbricks around your house should always be kept clear to allow good ventilation and, weather permitting, open windows and doors to allow air to circulate around your home. Finally, don’t be tempted to rush into expensive damp solutions if you come across it in your home. As mentioned, ventilation is a great way to reduce the risk of damp and reduce the risk of costly damping problems. If you should need structural repairs or damping solutions, consult professionals and make sure you use reputable companies. Do not panic at the first signs of damp!