If you are a London property owner, you are probably well aware that damp is a very real threat to your home, largely due to the wet weather we have in the southern part of the UK. In this short article, we give you an overview of the various types of damp and mould that are a threat to all properties in the capital.
- Rising damp – This refers to moisture that comes up from the ground, infecting buildings using a capillary action and if not addressed, damp will continue to rise up the structure, causing damage as it goes. Every building in the UK should have a damp proof course, which is a thick membrane that sits between rows of bricks on or near the ground line; this stops moisture from rising past the membrane.
- Penetrating damp – This could be from a leaking roof or damaged exterior walls; damp penetrates through walls, eventually reach the plaster on interior walls and timber window frames. Stonework, masonry and mortar can easily be broken down after years of harsh weather and driving rain; as a London homeowner, you should be vigilant and keep an eye out for the tell-tale signs of penetrating damp that can come from any location, especially the roof.
- Condensation – Damp and humid conditions cause condensation to thrive, it can typically be found on window panes, timber frames and sometimes directly on interior walls. One effective way to reduce or even remove condensation is to generate good ventilation, which can be either natural through the opening of windows or mechanical with the use of extractor fans.
- Black and green mould – This is a fungal growth that thrives in still and damp conditions; prolonged exposure to mould spores can lead to serious respiratory disease and the minute spores are released into the air, which can easily be inhaled. Colours include white, grey, brown, green, yellow and black, with a range of fuzzy textures, depending on the species.
- Woodworm – The Common Furniture Beetle is the most common insect that burrows holes in timber to lay eggs in the UK, while the Death Watch Beetle is also common in the UK. A sure sign of woodworm are tiny round holes with small mounds of dust next to each one, while you might notice the creamy white eggs protruding from the holes.
- Wet and dry rot – There are several species of fungi that decay timber; the stages of development are the presence of microscopic spores that look like a fine orange dust and if there is adequate moisture, these spores will begin to germinate, causing fine white strands to grow and finally, the fungi blooms and more spores are released into the air. For wet rot to take hold, there must be a level of moisture present, whereas dry rot does not require damp to be present.
At London Damp Surveys, we offer the best damp, mould and timber rot inspections for London homeowners; call us on 0207 305 5997 or complete the form on this website and we’ll arrange for a surveyor to contact you.
