Understanding Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp, sometimes referred to as water ingress or lateral damp, is a common problem in older buildings but can affect properties of any age.

Penetrating damp is caused by water entering a home through an external wall, due to either a structural fault or the deterioration of brick or stone walls, making them porous. Mould growth can be accelerated by penetrating dampness, leading to black mould being common in areas with high humidity.

Identifying Rising vs. Penetrating Damp

The most typical distinction between rising and penetrating damp is their height. Rising damp occurs up to one metre from the ground, whereas penetrating damp can appear in any area.

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Identifying Penetrating Damp

Identifying penetrating damp can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for, as many of its symptoms are similar to those of other forms of dampness. What should one look out for? Signs, no matter how small or large, include:

  • The internal wall was stained and had deteriorated significantly.
  • The plaster has been damaged, manifesting in blistering, salting and disintegration.
  • Moisture can cause wet rot decay in skirting boards or floor timbers.
  • Random damp patches at both high and low levels, which expand when exposed to moisture, are common.
  • Mould growth can cause a musty smell and spoil decorations.

Damage to brickwork on external walls, such as spalling and cracks in the structure, can permit moisture to enter the premises.

When surveying certain parts of the building, watermarks on walls, windows or ceilings can be a sign of penetration moisture issues. Usually there will be significant readings in these areas.

If rain persists, water can enter your property and cause damp patches to form on walls indoors. In cooler areas of the building, condensation may also appear due to this. If the issue has become serious enough, you might even see droplets of water. Unlike rising damp, these will not come from the ground.

If your residence is experiencing penetrating damp, the quicker you address the matter, the less harm it will cause. Reach out to our experts in damp proofing today by ringing 01273 920588 or submitting an online form to book a survey.

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Symptoms of Internal Penetration Damp

  1. Insulating Internal Walls

    Internal walls can be insulated to provide insulation and soundproofing. This can help reduce energy costs while improving comfort levels.

    Penetrating damp can be detected inside houses too, not just on the exterior. Common signs of this form of damp include damaged plasterwork, rotted wood and mould growth.

  2. Damage to Plasterwork

    The deterioration of paints and plaster, blistering, and the emergence of stains and salts on the surface of walls can all be caused by penetrating dampness.

  3. Wooden Fixtures Affected by Wet Rot

    Damp masonry can wreak havoc on wooden fixtures that are directly attached to it. Water can seep through bricks and saturate wooden structures, causing them to rust and disintegrate.

  4. Mould on Walls

    Mould development on walls is often linked to condensation, but it can also indicate penetrating wetness. The moist wall surface provides a favourable environment for mould growth.

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The Effects of Mould on Wall Surfaces

Mould often results from condensation, though it may also symbolise penetrating moisture. The damp wall surface furnishes an ideal habitat for mould proliferation.

Repairing Damaged Brickwork

The most frequent indication of penetrating damp on the building’s outer walls is damage to the brickwork. Frost damage is usually the cause of this; moisture freezes and expands in cold temperatures. If it finds its way into the brick, then when it thaws out again, it will expand, resulting in fractures and spalling in the walls.

How to Manage Moss Growth on the Exterior of a Building

When moisture accumulates on walls, moss and algae quickly form. These organisms thrive in damp conditions and can spread rapidly if not treated promptly. This eventually leads to erosion of the brickwork, which is undesirable for any homeowner.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

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Areas Most Prone to Penetrating Damp

Solid-wall constructions are more at risk of suffering from penetrating damp than those with cavity walls. Cavity walls have an advantage in that they create a gap between the internal and external walls, which stops moisture from rapidly entering inside.

Property owners should remain cognizant that having cavity walls does not render immunity from penetrating damp issues. Cavity wall insulation can cause difficulties as the walls may become blocked, allowing water to infiltrate through the inner wall despite usually being restricted by an air gap.

Moisture can penetrate the interior walls of a building if its insulation is moist. If there are issues with the external wall’s cavity, it will cause moisture to pass through into the internal one, potentially damaging its insulation.

Get Expert Help for Identifying Penetrating Damp

We hope this tutorial has provided a better understanding of identifying signs of penetrating damp. If you observe any moisture infiltration, it is best to have a specialist in damp take a look at your house to ensure the issue is accurately diagnosed.

Our expert will conduct a thorough survey of the property, examining all areas for signs of damp and other timber-related issues. Once completed, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining what was uncovered during the inspection, including any potential sources of the problem; as well as measures to prevent reoccurrence. To arrange a survey simply contact our team online or call 01273 920588.

Booking a Penetrating Damp Survey

Brighton Damp Treatments is the go-to for professional penetrating damp treatment. Our top-notch surveyors, and other specialists, will analyse, diagnose and treat your problem using state-of-the art technology and methods. We have 10+ years’ experience dealing with rot, woodworm and damp in properties – so get in touch on 01273 920588 or click the button below to arrange a survey now!

How Dangerous is Penetrating Damp?

Penetrating damp is a very serious issue. It enables ideal conditions for the growth of Serpula lacrymans, as well as obvious signs. This hazardous fungus is known as dry rot and can cause destruction to your home’s timber framework, posing a threat.

Humidity has been identified as a major contributor to respiratory issues in the general populace, especially among elderly people, asthmatics and children. Although dampness alone is not necessarily detrimental, it can exacerbate symptoms of those who already have health issues.

The Consequences of Leaving Penetrating Damp Unaddressed

Your home may be prone to penetrating damp due to various factors. Leaking or punctured pipes, broken roofs, and blocked gutters are all typical causes of damp issues. These flaws let moisture in through the walls of your property, leading to the formation of dampness.

As time goes on, the damp damage and paint lifting on your interior walls becomes increasingly evident. In winter months, this is aggravated when water in the walls freezes and expands, leading to flaking of the raised paintwork.

Rain can infiltrate buildings through leaky roofs, clogged gutters, overflows and other water entry points, resulting in penetrating damp. This can cause considerable damage to walls and beams if the moisture penetrates into the structure of the building. Big stains on ceilings, floors, walls and paintwork are a tell-tale sign of this problem after heavy rains.

The parapets, roofs and chimneys are especially vulnerable to the effects of heavy rain due to their hard-to-reach nature. Broken water ridges, lead flashings, hips or water fillets can let moisture in causing roof junctions to be particularly troublesome. Structural issues such as faulty roofs, gutters or wall cracks often result in penetrating damp which can cause damage both inside and outside a building’s walls.

Tackling Penetrating Damp: Our Approach

Identifying and rectifying the source of moisture or water penetration is pivotal in treating penetrating dampness. Usually, property-related matters are to blame for this phenomenon. In residential buildings, there are usually four potential points of water entry that can have an effect on a dwelling:

  • The pointing on the wall was not done correctly. It needed to be redone so that it would look proper.
  • The pointing on the wall was unsatisfactory; therefore, a redo was necessary in order for it to appear proper.

The brickwork is full of pores.

Cracks in the render are noticeable, and they can vary from minor fissures to major splits. Minor cracks aren’t typically a cause for concern; however, larger ones should be inspected and repaired by an experienced professional as soon as possible.

Cracks in the render are visible, ranging from slight fissures to deep splits. Minor fractures don’t usually require worry; however, bigger ones ought to be checked and fixed by a skilled expert without delay.

To ensure the brickwork remains unaffected by moisture, all of these areas must be maintained in optimal condition, with any defects identified and remedied promptly.

The Cost of Treating Damp Issues

It is not possible to set a fixed cost for damp treatment as it depends on various factors such as the size of the house and the magnitude of damage. After undertaking an inspection into your property, we will provide you with an estimation for treating penetrating dampness.

Benefits of Brighton Damp Treatments

We uphold top-notch standards for damp proofing, re-plastering, wood preservation, and damp inspections.

We offer customised, reliable and professional damp proofing treatment and repair services to homeowners, local authorities, small businesses and large commercial properties.

Brighton Damp Treatments – Professional Damp Proofing Solutions

If you’re having damp problems in Brighton and its environs, give our damp specialists a ring on 01273 920588 to arrange an inspection or treatment.

Our surveyors, following our instructions, will thoroughly examine and provide a report with pricing and treatment suggestions.

Our damp proofing team consists of experienced professionals who can tackle a variety of damp issues. These include penetrating damp, dry rot and woodworm, wet rot, wood rot, basement waterproofing as well as interior dampness and condensation control in both commercial and residential properties.

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