Our homes are very important to us. As one of the biggest purchases we may ever have to make in our lives, we want them to withstand as much as possible for as long as possible. From structural problems suffered from the elements to slow degradation over time, there are many things that can slowly attack at areas of our properties. However, there are things you can do to help combat or stop this from happening.
One of the most common problems within a home, particularly older ones, is damp and this can fill a homeowner with dread. According to a study through gov.uk, 4% of households within England had problems with damp in 2015 – that’s about a million homes altogether! Damp within a home can cause a cascade of structural problems if not fixed, and it can also cost a small fortune to repair and remove it from your property.
However, there are things you can do to prevent damp from affecting your home and to ensure you afford forking out for such an eventuality. This involves investing in damp proofing for your home. But, what is it? And how can this help your home whilst also saving you money? In this blog, we explore the hindrance of damp and how damp proofing can help save you money in the future.
Damp and the tell-tale signs
There are a few different types of damp that homeowners need to be aware of to ensure they spot the signs early and understand how to deal with them. Here are the most common damps within a household and the obvious signs to look out for:
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Rising damp – when water in the ground rises up through the bricks and mortar of a building. You can spot rising damp if areas of the walls seem darker and damp to the touch along with other common signs of peeling walls, rust and an unpleasant smell.
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Lateral or penetrating damp – the end result of water successfully infiltrating from the outside of a building into your property and can happen at any level within the property, unlike rising damp. Tell-tale signs include damp patches, peeling walls, mildew in crevices etc.
The most common and threatening indications that you have a form of damp settling into your structure is condensation and mould. Although condensation is often an everyday occurrence, particularly in an older property, condensation shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly as it could be a sign of a more serious issue.
With this in mind, excessive condensation could then create damp which in turn could turn into mould. Black mould within a house is not only dangerous to the structural integrity of a building, but also dangerous to human health. If you spot condensation or mould forming, these are definitive signs of damp somewhere and you should look into fixing the problem.
What is damp proofing?
If you’re looking to combat damp and to stop it from ever breeding within your property, damp proofing is one of the best things you can do.
In construction, damp proofing is a type of moisture control applied to building walls and floors and works as a long term solution to prevent water and moisture infiltrating spaces and corrupting the materials and structure.
If you already have signs of damp however, it’s advisable to call out a trusted damp proofing specialist near you to examine the issue as your property may need some form of rising damp, wet rot or woodworm treatment first before damp proofing is applied.
Benefits of damp proofing walls and floors within your property
Mentioned previously, a damp proofing treatment is one of the most effective solutions you can apply to your property to stop damp right from the get-go. This is particularly relevant for older households, whether they’re Victorian country cottages or a 1950s suburban build. Here are the benefits of damp proofing your property.
Protecting your structure
With damp corrupting your bricks, mortar, roof tiles and everything that keeps your household standing, the most effective way to protect your structure is to have damp proofing carried out. If left to fester and develop, damp can cause long term and extreme damage to fundamental elements of the house. Having the right waterproofing or damp proofing can protect and prevent cracking, crumbling, the development of wet or dry rot and will ensure that less expensive remedial work will be needed later on.
Value of your home
When damp suddenly strikes the home, it can cost an arm and a leg to get it treated and removed. As well as these unexpected costs, damp is definitely not appealing to any home buyer if you ever wish to sell your home in the future. If damp is a persistent and recurrent feature within your property, attracting buyers could be a problem. However, if you ensure you have high-quality and long-lasting damp proofing carried out within the property, buyers will feel more confident about purchasing your home with the assurance that issues have been dealt with. With this in mind, the value of your property will only increase on the news that it is protected from potentially harmful issues, rather than decrease.
Health
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of all, damp proofing will keep everyone within your household happy and healthy. If any of your family, housemates or guests suffer from breathing difficulties, damp will only make it worse. As damp can develop into mould and mildew, this can directly affect the respiratory system and cause lasting problems. Damp control and proofing services will remove any dampness, mould and mildew from your property, meaning all health issues will slowly disappear with it.
Smell
Mentioned above, any dampness and condensation in the home can cause mould, and with that comes a whole manner of repugnant smells. With musty, dank and rotten smells filling the air, this can put anyone off from visiting or living within a home that should otherwise be a welcome haven and escape from anything horrible. Damp proofing services can eradicate the damp and mould, and therefore the smells will be eliminated with it, restoring your home back to its former glory and homeliness.
Is the damp proofing cost worth it?
With all the benefits listed above in mind, damp proofing your property is definitely worth it in the long run. From preventing expensive structural damage to ensuring your home is sold in the future, damp proofing treatment is a sure investment on properties that experience frequent dampness, no matter how small or large the problem.
North Yorkshire Remedials – rising damp treatments and damp proofing in Ripon and surrounding areas
If you’re experiencing damp within your property, or are worried about it suddenly appearing to only start attacking your home in the future, consider investing in a trusted damp specialist company to help you. At North Yorkshire Remedials, we offer high-quality, durable and reliable damp proofing and ensure we deal with your damp efficiently with tried and tested methods.
We understand that protecting your home and ensuring your structures stay safe is one of the most important things for your home, which is why we specialise in many different remedial solutions, from damp proofing and rising damp treatments to dry rot and woodworm treatments. For affordable prices and an exemplary service, consider North Yorkshire Remedials in Ripon and surrounding areas, get in touch with our friendly team today via our website or on 01765 692 154.