During the monsoon season, damp walls can be a problem. However, there are ways you can prevent it. The key is to know what causes dampness and how to deal with it.
Penetrating damp
Whether you’re in a brand new property or an older house, penetrating damp can cause a lot of damage. It is caused by water entering through a weak spot in the wall, roof, or window surround. Penetrating damp can also lead to fungal rot outbreaks and structural timber damage. You may also use a housing disrepair calculator to calculate the housing disrepair compensation amount.
In order to treat penetrating damp, you need to identify and repair the defect. This can be done by a specialist in damp control. You can contact a company like Damp Experts to find out more. They are well-qualified and have a good reputation in the industry.
The first step is to look at your walls for defects. This may include cracks, spalling, and dilapidated windows and gutters. You should also check the roof for damage and weak spots. If there are any, you need to repair them as quickly as possible.
Rising damp
Whether it’s interior or exterior walls, rising damp can be very detrimental. It can cause blistering, peeling wallpaper, and mould. It can also damage timber skirtings and fittings.
The most common warning signs of rising damp are crumbling bricks and salts within the plaster. Salts cause the plaster to become powdery, which is very destructive to the wall structure.
Rising damp is caused by moisture rising through the capillaries of masonry. It can travel up to 1.5 metres from the source. Identifying the source of dampness can help to stop it from causing further damage to your property.
In the past, most historic buildings were built with porous materials. Today, modern homes are built with DPC (Damp-Proof Course). These courses stop moisture from rising through the walls.
When the moisture level in a building increases, it increases thermal transmittance and U-value. These factors affect the energy performance of a residential building.
Condensation
Symptoms of wall dampness can vary from one room to another and may include peeling wallpaper, staining window frames and black mould growth. However, the most common symptom is condensation. This is because the warm air that resides inside a room is forced to come in contact with the colder surfaces of the wall. This causes the formation of water droplets on cold surfaces.
Condensation is not only a problem, it can be detrimental to the structural integrity of your property. It is therefore important to identify the cause of your condensation problem and then address it to avoid further damage. You may also hire the best housing disrepair solicitor for your claim.
The best way to tackle condensation is to improve the natural ventilation of your home. This can be done by keeping windows open and using ventilation fans. Another method is to install trickle vents that lead the air out of the room.
Mechanical vapour barrier
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating a building, understanding the difference between an air barrier and a vapor barrier is essential. Vapor barriers are used to stop moisture from dripping through your building materials. They’re also a major component of a high-performance building.
A vapor barrier is usually made of plastic or foil. It’s used to stop moisture from leaking through the walls. It’s also used to prevent interstitial condensation. These are problems that can occur when a building is constructed in a humid climate.
Vapour barriers can also be used as a flat roof moisture barrier. They are also used in hospital operating rooms. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends using an interior vapour barrier in cold climates.
In the northern part of North America, vapour diffusion is a common problem. Vapour diffusion is where moisture condenses on surfaces that are below the dew point.
Preventing dampness in walls during the monsoon season
During the monsoon season, the walls of your house are one of the worst places to be affected. This is because the rains are not only a cause for fungal growth and leaks, but they also increase the likelihood of dangerous bacteria spreading throughout your home. Fortunately, there are many helpful methods you can use to prevent dampness in your walls.
One way to keep your home moisture-free is by installing a good gutter system. Another way is to vent your home. This may require the use of exhaust fans or other ventilation equipment.
Another way to keep your home free of dampness is by using good-quality construction materials. Using poor-quality construction materials or low-quality bricks can cause dampness.
Keeping a moisture meter is a good way to tell if you have dampness in your walls. A moisture meter is a device that scans wall surfaces to find out where moisture is accumulating.