Dampness is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, either the result of intrusion from outside or condensation from within the structure. The predominate reason that building materials biodegrade is because they are affected by water. A high proportion of damp problems in buildings are caused by ambient climate dependent factors of condensation and rain penetration Capillary penetration of fluid from the ground up through concrete or masonry is known as Rising Damp and is governed by the shape and porosity of the construction materials through which this evaporation limited capillary penetration takes place. Structural damp, regardless of the mechanisms through which it takes place, is exacerbated by higher levels of humidity.. It is fundamental to the preservation and maintenance of all buildings that they remain as watertight as their design will allow.
Damp problems affect many thousands of UK properties each year. For the many homes and properties affected by damp, more often than not, unless some form of remedial damp control or treatment is applied these damp issues tend to gradually get worse over time.
Moulds are usually very common to accompany dampness, especially condensation. They are in buildings nearly always result from persistent internal damp conditions and are often cited as a form of microbial pollution. Moulds are fungi. They are a group of plants that are unable to produce their own food. Moulds grow and develop by breaking down dead or decaying organic (carbon-containing) materials. What you see on typical mouldy walls or mouldy food are fungal spores, and other parts of fungal matter. It is the spores that enable the moulds to reproduce. You will also see mycelial fragments and “conidia” which is the name given to the structures on which the spores form. Moulds in houses usually belong to fungal groups called “Ascomycetes” or “Fungi imperfecti”.
Dampness in Buildings
Dampness is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, either the result of intrusion from outside or condensation from within the structure. The predominate reason that building materials biodegrade is because they are affected by water. A high proportion of damp problems in buildings are caused by ambient climate dependent factors of condensation and rain penetration Capillary penetration of fluid from the ground up through concrete or masonry is known as Rising Damp and is governed by the shape and porosity of the construction materials through which this evaporation limited capillary penetration takes place. Structural damp, regardless of the mechanisms through which it takes place, is exacerbated by higher levels of humidity.. It is fundamental to the preservation and maintenance of all buildings that they remain as watertight as their design will allow.
Damp problems affect many thousands of UK properties each year. For the many homes and properties affected by damp, more often than not, unless some form of remedial damp control or treatment is applied these damp issues tend to gradually get worse over time.
Moulds are usually very common to accompany dampness, especially condensation. They are in buildings nearly always result from persistent internal damp conditions and are often cited as a form of microbial pollution. Moulds are fungi. They are a group of plants that are unable to produce their own food. Moulds grow and develop by breaking down dead or decaying organic (carbon-containing) materials. What you see on typical mouldy walls or mouldy food are fungal spores, and other parts of fungal matter. It is the spores that enable the moulds to reproduce. You will also see mycelial fragments and “conidia” which is the name given to the structures on which the spores form. Moulds in houses usually belong to fungal groups called “Ascomycetes” or “Fungi imperfecti”.
Different types of Dampness
The type of damp control and treatment you require is dependant on the cause of your damp problem. Damp is usually the result of one of the three following problems:
- Condensation (link to page)
- Penetrating Damp (link to page)
- Rising Damp (link to page)
Examples of Dampness causes in buildings
- Lateral penetrating rain
- Defective roofing system e.g. slates/tiles, chimney stacks, guttering, flashings etc
- Internal plumbing leaks
- Defective or no DPC (damp proof course) installed
- The defective orientation of the building
- Low level of site
- Drainability of surrounding ground soil
- Atmospheric condition
- The defective orientation of the building
- Moisture entrapped during construction
- Defective construction e.g. joints, mastics, gaps etc
- Broken or weathered masonry walls and exterior coverings.
- Use of poor quality bricks which ultimately absorb a lot of water
- Use of Poor quality of concrete (permeable concrete)
- Lack of proper ventilation throughout the property
- Lack of consistent ventilation throughout the property