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Whether you are a tenant renting a property, a prospective landlord buyer looking to make an informed choice before purchase or a curious homeowner, there are a number of different ways to identify if your home or property is at risk of issues with damp.

It goes without saying that at one point or another, we have all lived in a property that has had various issues with regards to damp and associated problems, so spotting the tell-tale signs isn’t always difficult. Before you go about booking a damp proofing quote, discovering the extent of the problem is always a prudent move.

So, what should you be looking out for?

• Musty smell that doesn’t fade
• Stained or discoloured walls, plaster or woodwork
• Damaged woodwork such as skirting boards
• Peeling wallpaper and bubbled paintwork
• Mould forming on internal walls
• External walls beginning to crumble or wear away

While noticeable patches of mould and mildew in your property are easy to spot, other symptoms of a damp problem can be harder to identify. Although there are a number of at-home treatments that can remove signs of damp on the surface, they do little to rectify the root cause so it is always important to consult a specialist if you are worried about damp in your home.

Homes that Are at Risk

Whether your home is at risk of damp is dependent on a vast number of reasons.

A lot of older buildings were built using materials that weren’t breathable and simply weren’t as effective at keeping damp away due to newer heating systems and modern lifestyles.

Similarly, some modern houses that are built using modern, breathable materials can also fall foul to damp, largely due to a build-up of moisture and condensation.

As the issues associated with damp are varied, it is important to identify exactly which problem you are dealing with. However, there are a few things you can do to help prevent damp in the future, such as;

1. Keep up to date with maintenance – both internal and external, including gutters, downpipes and drains.
2. Keep your home warm, ventilated and as free from moisture as possible, especially during colder months.
3. Use extractor fans when cooking to prevent a build-up of moisture.
4. Use decorating supplies that allow walls to breathe.
5. Dry washing away from heat sources to prevent excess moisture.

If in doubt about anything you may have identified in your home, do not hesitate to contact our team of specialists. We can arrange a property survey to provide you with a tailored damp proofing quote based on your individual needs.

For more information, please give our team of professionals a call on 0208 535 7536.