For property owners, understanding the best way to get rid of damp can cause concern. This is because dampness can potentially cause structural damage to properties in Northampton, and it can have health implications for those living in the property. Can damp in a house be fixed? Yes! Fortunately, if you spot it quickly and treat it, damp doesn’t necessarily need to be a problem in your home.
Three kinds of damp you might find in your property in Northampton
1. Condensation occurs when too much moisture is in the air due to poor ventilation. This form of damp will typically appear on ceilings and walls in the shape of black mould, and it can result in health issues like allergies and asthma.
2. Rising damp occurs if groundwater rises through a property’s floors and walls. Unfortunately, it damages paint, plaster becomes crumbly, and it can affect the property’s structure if left untreated.
3. Penetrating damp occurs when water enters a property via leaks in its walls or roof. Like rising damp, it damages paint, plaster, and the structure of the property when left untreated.
You will need to identify which type of damp you have in your property in order to find the right treatment to resolve the problem.
How do I find out where the damp is coming from?
Knowing the places you might find damp in your home is essential if you’re going to catch it at an early stage and avoid serious damage. Unsurprisingly, it’s most often found in basements, kitchens, and bathrooms but you may find damp in any one of the rooms in your home - especially during the colder months. Preparing your home for winter is a good preventative measure.
In a bathroom, damp may be seen around the bath or shower, on window fittings or on the ceiling or walls. Likewise, in a kitchen, you may find damp around or underneath the sink or near the washing machine; in a basement, you may find it on the floor and walls.
Don’t forget to check hidden areas beneath carpets, inside cupboards, and behind furniture. The signs to look for include discoloured patches and musty odours.
How do I get rid of damp?
Can damp in a house be fixed? Yes. It can be time-consuming and challenging to eliminate damp, but it’s vital if you’re going to prevent it causing damage to your health and your home.
In the case of condensation, you first need to improve the ventilation in the areas affected.
- Open the windows.
- Use an extractor fan or dehumidifier.
- Ensure sufficient insulation to resolve most condensation issues.
In the case of rising damp, installing a course of damp-proofing is the best solution. Use the services of a professional damp-proofer and ensure damaged paint or plaster is removed first.
Treating penetrating damp is more challenging as it requires identifying and repairing the water ingress source. Additionally, you may need to repair pipes, gutters, or roofs or install waterproof membranes to prevent water from entering the walls.
10 ways to prevent damp
Prevention is always better than cure, and there are steps you can take to guard your property in Northampton against damp. Here, we answer the question of can damp in a house be fixed.
Follow our tips and successfully learn ‘how do I get rid of damp’:
- Improve ventilation by opening windows and using dehumidifiers and extractor fans.
- Wipe window sills each morning.
- Use an extractor when cooking to remove steam.
- Promptly repair leaks.
- Keep the temperature constant inside your home. Your home should be a minimum of 18°C during the day and no less than 15°C at night.
- Choose waterproof materials in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Avoid drying laundry indoors.
- Don’t overstuff cupboards.
- Insulate your home.
- Maintain your home well, regularly checking for damage to the roof, walls, pipes, and gutters.
Need advice? Horts Estate Agents in Northampton can help
If you’re a landlord in Northampton dealing with damp and need advice, call the Horts team today on 01604 639933 or email rentals@horts.co.uk
