Damp Problems

Penetrating damp (also known as water ingress) is caused when water seeps through the walls at any point whereas rising damp is confined to the lower part of ground-floor walls. The water passes through the external material of the building where there is a fault and saturates the wall. 

A huge amount of structural and cosmetic damage to your property can occur if penetrating damp is left untreated. 

There are several causes of penetrating damp which include:

• Loose or missing roof tiles
• Leaking downpipes
• Overflowing gutters
• Faulty roofs and wall flashing
• Poor external brickwork such as missing mortar
• Cracked render
• Badly fitting windows or doors.

Apart from mould, penetrating damp can cause unpleasant odours, wet rot and undermine your property's insulation. 

Note that well-established companies will offer long-term guarantees such as our 30 Year transferable (once selling a property) guarantee for penetrating damp.

One of the most important steps in penetrating damp treatment is to identify and rectify the source of damp ingress. This is why it's crucial to have a damp specialist such as Abbey Builders who are qualified to carry out a damp survey and identify any penetrating damp issues your property may have. 

Signs of Penetrating Damp

Typical signs of penetrating damp include: 

• Damp stains on exterior walls
• Stained patches on ceilings
• Stained patches on interior walls.
• Growing circles and blotches on walls and ceilings
• Wet and crumbly plaster
• Discolouration of interior walls
• Blistered plaster

You will most likely notice that after heavy rainfall, the damp patches appear worse.  

Apart from mould, penetrating damp can cause unpleasant odours, wet rot and undermine your property's insulation. 

Note that well-established companies will offer long-term guarantees such as our 30 Year transferable (once selling a property) guarantee for penetrating damp.

When it comes to treating damp in Liverpool, Abbey Builders are penetrating damp experts. 

Rising damp only occurs to the lower part of walls (up to a height of about one metre) and to solid floors. It is caused by water soaking up from the ground. Moisture in the earth soaks through the foundations and walls of a house, rising up through the layers of brick and causing damage.

Rising dampness is often the reason behind structural damage in buildings. Rising damp usually occurs in older homes (early 20th century or older).

If your home is fairly modern, you should have a damp proof membrane under your concrete floors, and a damp proof course )DPC) in your walls, both of which prevent rising damp.

When left untreated, rising damp can cause damage to brick, concrete and wood structures, and cause wet rot and the dreaded dry rot.

Signs of Rising Damp

• Damp patches on walls
• Crumbling or bubbling paint 
• Peeling wallpaper
• Tidemarks on walls just above the skirting boards
• White efflorescent salt marks on the internal wall
• Rotten or crumbling skirting boards
• Rotten floorboards

If any of the above signs of rising damp in your home seem familiar, you should contact a professional damp expert to carry out a damp survey as soon as possible.  

With rising damp, it is critical that all surveys, diagnosis and any necessary remedial work are carried out without delay. The longer the damp is left undisturbed, the more damage will be caused to your property.   

Get in touch with our damp proofing Liverpool team for help on identifying rising damp.

Condensation is usually associated with moisture forming on cold surfaces like windows, outside walls, where it eventually forms visible black mould. It forms when warm moist air touches a cold internal wall or surface. 

Mould needs pure water to grow, and condensation is pure water (unlike rising damp and penetrating damp which picks up minerals, salts and soil when it passes through a wall or floor).

You can prevent condensation by taking steps to prevent leaks and other forms of water damage, by ensuring your home remains well-aired and by drying your laundry outside whenever possible. You should also wipe your windowsills on a daily basis as this will help you reduce condensation and make sure any mould that you do find is removed immediately.

To stop damp on internal walls and prevent mould growth caused by condensation, a correct ventilation and heating regime should be adhered to. Double-glazing and insulation can prevent both losses of heat, and also make sure that walls and window panes don't get quite as cold (and create condensation).

Signs of Condensation

The most common signs of condensation are:

Excess moisture on and around your windows

Black mould growing on walls and ceilings. 

Moisture on windows

Mould around windows and doors

Rotting window frames 

If you are concerned about rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation, call us today for your free survey and quote on 0151 220 3818