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Nobody wants a damp home; it’s cold, uncomfortable and can even weaken the structure of your property. However, damp can also cause serious problems for your health, from a cough and cold to more chronic conditions such as asthma if left untreated. Luckily, there are professional solutions out there for damp, and damp proofing can transform your home, making it safe and comfortable to live in again. If you’ve had issues with damp and want to know why damp proofing is essential for your health and wellbeing, read on.
What causes damp?
Damp is caused by excess moisture entering your home, from either leaking pipes, rising damp in a basement or rain seeping into the property from faulty window frames or holes in the roof. It can also be caused by a buildup of excess condensation from cooking, showering or drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.
Why is it bad for your health?
Excess moisture from damp can lead to the growth of mold, a type of fungus with spores that produces allergens. Some types of mold are also irritants or produce toxic substances that can cause sneezing, respiratory problems, skin rashes, itchy eyes or asthma attacks.
Allergic reactions to mold can affect anyone, but they are more harmful to babies and young children, the elderly, people with eczema, and anyone with respiratory conditions or a weakened immune system.
How can I prevent damp?
In very mild cases of damp and mold, you may be able to reverse the problem yourself by preventing excess moisture from entering your home. Dry washing outside if possible, keep lids on saucepans when cooking and open windows in your home for at least 15 minutes each day. This is especially important in damper environments like the bathroom or kitchen; make sure your bathroom fan is working to ventilate the room or open the window each time you shower.
If you’ve identified the cause of mold, you may be able to remove the mold itself on your own, but the NHS recommends only doing this if the moldy area is less than 1 metre squared. Protect yourself from spores by wearing a mask and gloves, open the windows and use a cloth dipped in soapy water to gently wipe mold from the wall. Wipe the damp wall with a fresh, dry cloth and then throw the materials away to prevent mold spreading.
In more extreme cases you may need a new ventilation system, insulation or damp proofing, which should only be carried out by the experts.
What is damp proofing?
Damp proofing refers to any treatments taken out to prevent damp being absorbed through walls or floors into a property’s interior. There are several different methods including chemical injections, damp proof membranes and better insulation or ventilation systems.
If you need professional damp proofing in the Ripon area, get in touch with North Yorkshire Remedials. We’re equipped to protect your home against rising damp, black mold, mildew and other issues, so get in touch today to damp proof your home and protect your health. Call us on 01765 692 154 or visit our website to see our full list of services.
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