Rising Damp

Rising damp occurs when moisture moves up through building materials, and can be caused by a number of things, including: 

• Damp-proof course (DPC): A faulty, missing, or incorrectly installed DPC can cause rising damp. DPCs can also fail if they've reached the end of their lifespan. 
• Ground levels: If the ground level outside a building is higher than the DPC, it can bridge the DPC and allow water to rise. 
• Debris: Debris in the wall cavity or subfloor void can cause rising damp. 
• Bricks and mortar: Bricks and mortar are naturally porous, allowing water to travel up through the air pockets. 
• Adjoining structures: Structures next to a building can introduce moisture above the DPC. 
• Insulation: Inappropriate insulation material in the cavity can cause rising damp. 

Signs of rising damp include: 

• Damp patches on walls, especially at the bottom 
• Water stains and tidemarks on walls, usually starting at the bottom 
• Flaky paint and peeling wallpaper 
• A rising damp smell 
• White salt deposits on walls

• Rainwater When a downpipe is leaking, rainwater can back up and force its way out of the pipe joint, causing dampness. 
•   Signs Look for damp patches, watermarks on decorations, or mold growth on damp walls. 
• Causes Other causes of penetrating damp include missing roof tiles, defective render, and internal leaks from pipes under the sink or bath. 
• Solutions A professional plumber can replace faulty sections of the pipe to fix the problem. 
• Prevention Regular plumbing inspections can help identify and address issues before they become a problem. 
• Responsibility If you're renting, your landlord is usually responsible for fixing the problem. 
• If exterior drains become clogged, rainwater can collect against the brickwork – leading to hot spots of penetrating damp. Broken drains can also cause water to fall or collect in irregular areas and cause dampness and mould growth. Door frames are also common points of ingress for moisture.

Condensation damp is a type of dampness in a home that occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces, such as walls, windows, or floors. This can cause water droplets to form on the surface, which can soak into the paintwork, wallpaper, or plasterwork.

Condensation damp is most common in the winter, but can also happen in rainy or dry weather. It can be caused by a number of things, including: Cooking, Cleaning, Bathing, Washing up, Drying clothes indoors, Poor ventilation, and Inadequate heating. Condensation damp can damage floor coverings, clothes, bedding, and decorations. It can also lead to the growth of black mold on walls and other surfaces. 

To reduce condensation damp, you can try: 

• Opening doors and windows for 10-15 minutes each morning 
• Using a ventilation system 
• Using energy efficient heaters 
• Drying washing outside 
• Using extractor fans and rangehoods 
• Using a dehumidifier 

If you have a damp problem that keeps coming back, you can tell your landlord and ask them to check for potential cause

• Damp in your home: Water can seep into your roof and walls through broken gutters, causing dampness in your home. 
• Flooding: Water can build up around the base of your home, or seep in through a window, causing flooding. 
• Foundation damage: Water that overflows from gutters can seep into the ground around your property, damaging your foundation over time. 
• Structural damage: Leaking gutters can cause structural damage to your home. 
• Rot, mold, and mildew: Leaking gutters can cause rot, mold, and mildew growth in your home. 
• Stained brickwork or render: Water from broken gutters can stain the brickwork or render of your home. 
• Ruined vegetation and lawns: Water from broken gutters can cut through your garden, ruining vegetation and lawns. 

If you suspect a blockage in your gutters, it's important to act as soon as possible to avoid water damage. 

Blocked gutters can cause a variety of damage to your home, including: 

• Foundation damage When gutters overflow during heavy rain, water can pool at the base of your home and seep into the foundations. This can weaken the structure of your home and, in extreme cases, cause it to collapse. 
• Water damage Blocked gutters can cause water to overflow and accumulate near the foundation of your home, leading to flooding. This can damage items stored at ground level and create ideal conditions for mold growth. 
• Damp Water will always find a way, and blocked gutters can cause rainwater to back up and fall onto the exterior walls of your home. Damp can be costly to get rid of, especially if your walls have weak pointing or plants growing on them. 
• Roof damage Water can leak into your roof from overflowing gutters, causing rot in the wood and water damage to your ceilings. 
• Gutter Blockages can cause damage to your guttering system, meaning you may have to repair or replace some of your gutters or pipes. 
• Infestations Blocked gutters can lead to infestations. 
• Blocked guttering will cause rainwater to travel elsewhere when it runs off your roof. It will generally back up and lap over the gutter and fall on to the exterior walls. Whilst your home may be durable, your walls are extremely susceptible to damp and once it's in, it can be costly to get rid of.

Unfortunately, clogged gutters can lead to extensive water damage to your home, ranging from roof leaks to mold growth, basement flood damage, and issues with your home's foundation. So preventing your gutters from clogging should be a top priority for every homeowner.

To prevent damage from overflowing gutters, you can check your gutters regularly, especially in the spring and autumn. If you notice a problem, you can contact a professional to help you identify the cause and make the necessary repairs.