ProTecure

Damp can be something that is very challenging to homeowners, especially if you are buying your first property. It may be expensive to repair, depending on the severity of the damage that already exists.

Then you should also consider taking preventative measures so that you do not have to deal with damp problems on a regular basis. This is why this important to educate yourself about damp.

If you are in the process of buying a home, you can have the home inspected. You can also negotiate on the purchase price if the damp issues will be expensive to repair. 

As a new homeowner you want your property to grow in value, so it's important to consider any type of renovations or repairs that you may need to do. 

Damp can easily become an issue, especially if previous owners haven't paid much attention to proper damp proofing or maintenance throughout the years.

Rising Damp

Rising damp can be a homeowner's greatest fear, especially since it can influence the way that your building looks. It is quite easy to identify rising damp, as there are plenty of known signals to look for. 

You don't necessarily have to consult an expert to confirm whether you're building has rising damp.

When you have rising damp on your walls, the plaster itself can easily crumble away, especially if it is dry. If you touch it. It can feel like a paste, which is possible when water has intruded.

Another easy sign to notice is that the wallpaper on your wall will start  to peel off. Your skirting boards can also start to show signs of damage and decay. 

As the water penetrates your walls, you will notice that screws and nails can also start to show signs of rust. You may also start to smell a musty and damp smell close to your walls. These are some of the obvious signs of rising damp on your home.

Rising damp is one of the most common types of damp that can usually be found in your home. It can be difficult to fix, and expensive, depending on the damage caused. 

This is why you should preferably try to get the help of an expert when you assess the damage on a property you are looking to buy. 

Lateral Damp

Lateral damp is another form of damp that home owners should be looking out for. It often looks the same as rising damp but has a few different features. 

Lateral damp usually intrudes into a wall from the outside, which is a distinct feature. This is one of the first things you should look out for.

Lateral damp can originate from various sources, including leaking pipes, as well as missing tiles. This can all result in water penetrating your walls from the bottom upward. 

It can be unsightly, and costly to repair, depending on the damage done to the home already. As an aspiring homeowner, you should know how to look out for these and other signs of lateral damp before you decide on a purchase price.

You can negotiate a reduced purchase price, taking into account the amount you'll need to pay to get the damp issues fixed.

Always be on the lookout for dark, damp patches on your ceiling and your walls. Also take a look at your woodwork and see if it shows any sign of damage or mildew.

Never overlook wet plaster either, as it can be a sign of rising damp. When you spot any spores, it is a clear sign that damp is present in the house.

Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp is another type of damp can easily originate from your outside walls. It is often seen clearly from the outside and you can be damaging to your structure. 

You can usually recognise penetrating damp by patches of damp the increasing size of the heavy rains. This is something that you should look out for if you are planning on buying a specific property.

You should also take a look at your roof and your ceilings, as they can also suffer when damp is present in your home. When you do notice exterior access on your walls, be sure to check your internal walls to see if it corresponds to the patches outside. 

If it does, it means that the damp has penetrated your structure quite significantly.

Keep in mind that it is not only the penetrating damp damage that you will need to rectify. Once you have fixed all the damaged parts will you should also consider damp proofing your home to prevent this from happening again. 

This is why fixing the damp can become very expensive, especially on larger properties.

Some of the obvious things you will have to look for include leaky pipes as well as faulty joists in the windows and walls. Your home may also have an issue with the pipework, as some of this may have become dislodged.

Condensation

You should always have the lookout for any signs of condensation in your home. Don't dismiss it as simply being part of the house, especially if you are buying an older building.

Condensation can be an indication of a more serious issue in your home. If there is excessive condensation present, can be a sign that there is simply too much water vapour around in the house. 

This, in turn, can be an indication that there is damp present somewhere else in the home. You have to identify the issue before you finalise the purchase of the house so that you have an accurate idea of the number of repairs that need to be done. 

Always keep a lookout for black support on the walls and ceilings inside the home. Take a careful look at the door frames and window frames, for any potential signs of condensation. 

Some sellers may even try to wipe down these signs when you look at the house, but if you do a careful inspection you will still see it being present.

Always take a look at the inside and outside of the house. You can also take a professional damp expert with you, to assess any potential damage that you need to have repaired. Also, consider damp proofing your house so you can avoid having these issues in the future.