We have the unpredictable cold and wet British climate to thank for the threat that damp and mould poses to buildings. Soggy ground and a humid atmosphere make for the ideal environment for rising and penetrating damp, while mould also grows in such an environment and that can be hazardous to your health.
Here are some of the tell-tale signs that damp is present in your London home.
- Moss growth on exterior walls – A sure sign of rising damp is moss growing on exterior walls, especially near the ground line, which is largely due to the damp proof course being compromised. Clearing the moss would leave crumbling masonry and mortar visible, which means you need to call in damp proofing surveyors in London.
- Blocked roof guttering – The guttering plays a critical role in providing an escape route for excess rainwater and should there be a blockage, water seeps down the exterior walls, causing a significant amount of damage. Eventually, the damp would penetrate into the interior walls, causing the plaster to discolour, leaving tide marks and causing plaster to degrade.
- Damp patches on walls and ceilings –Whether the damp comes from the ground or through the exterior walls, if it penetrates the interior walls, damp patches appear, peeling wallpaper and flaky paint are also indications of damp damage. If, for example, you spot damp patches on upstairs ceilings, this is probably coming from the loft and further investigation is needed.
- Musky odour – If you notice a musky smell in the house, damp and mould are likely to be present; you need to carry out a thorough inspection to identify the issue and the source of the moisture penetration.
- Condensation – Typically forming on the interior window surfaces and timber frames, condensation can cause serious damage to building materials. Of course, major causes of condensation are running hot water for baths or showers and cooking; you can make good use of extractor fans to remove the moisture from the air. When you encounter condensation in the home, it should be wiped with a dry cloth; call in London Damp Surveys to carry out a damp assessment; we can recommend the best damp proofing treatment. It is important to create a strong airflow, which dries out the air.
- Visible signs of mould – Whether on interior walls or timber, if you spot mould in your home, damp is definitely present and while removing the mould is important, you also have to investigate the source of the moisture that causes the mould to form.
- Discoloured roof timbers – Even a small leak can lead to damp infecting joists and rafters; when we survey a property for damp, we closely inspect all roof timbers in the loft and should damp be present, we source the origin of the moisture penetration.
If you don’t have the time to inspect your home for damp and mould, contact London Damp Surveys on 0207 305 5997 or fill in the online form and we can arrange for one of our surveyors to inspect your London home.
