Penetrating damp is one of the most common types of damp and can affect internal and external walls alike. There are many reasons why your property may be affected by penetrating damp but at Garratt’s Damp & Timber, we specialise in solving penetrating damp issues in basements caused by sitting groundwater surrounding the property structure only.
What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp occurs in the absence of basement damp proofing, or when a property has defective window/door seals, guttering, or roof tiles. In all of these scenarios, sitting groundwater/rainwater will penetrate porous building materials like brick, and moisture will seep in, resulting in a potentially severe damp problem.
Penetrating damp symptoms
There are a number of penetrating damp signs that you may notice, with the most common including:
- Musty smell
- Wet walls
- Peeling paint/plaster/wallpaper
- Mould spores on the walls
- Staining on external walls
You are most likely to notice penetrating damp near windows and doors or on walls close to guttering, but it’s also a common problem in cellars and basements. At Garratt’s Damp & Timber, we only treat penetrating damp in basements.
How to fix penetrating damp
If your property is suffering from penetrating damp, you’re likely wondering how it can be fixed. We specialise in penetrating damp in basements. If this is where your damp issue is, we will conduct a free site survey to confirm the cause of the problem and suggest the best treatment option. Typically, this will involve either Type A or Type C basement tanking.
Type A basement tanking is a good preventative measure and is ideal in situations where basement walls are fragile or unstable. It’s also a good option if there aren’t excessively high levels of sitting groundwater. In essence, Type A basement tanking involves adding a waterproof barrier to the walls, which stops water from penetrating the internal face of the walls.
In contrast, Type C basement tanking involves installing a sump and pump system around the property that directs ingressed water away from the basement completely. It doesn’t put any extra strain on the property’s structure and is ideal in areas where there is a lot of sitting groundwater.
If penetrating damp isn’t in the basement and is instead around your windows, doors, or near your guttering, you will need to repair these issues separately. Garratt’s Damp & Timber generally do not treat penetrating damp outside of basements.
Penetrating damp repair costs
The cost to fix penetrating damp depends on the severity of the damage caused and what the most suitable treatment option might be. Type C basement tanking is a more expensive option than Type A but it is widely regarded as the most reliable option as it stops water from touching the basement altogether. That being said, there are plenty of instances in which Type A basement tanking might be the best option. Arrange a free site survey and we’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea of which solution might be best for you and what the approximate cost might be.
How to stop penetrating damp
The main way to prevent penetrating damp is to ensure your basement is properly tanked. With regards to other preventative measures, it’s always recommended to regularly maintain your gutters, doors, windows, and roof tiles to stop water seeping in through these means.
Arrange a penetrating damp site survey
If you think you have penetrating damp in your basement, please contact us to arrange a site survey free of charge.
