Damp in your home can pose a significant health risk if left untreated. Damp might not always be easy to identify. It can slowly emerge only show signs after several years or it can appear quickly after heavy rains.

Because no two damp cases are the same, it’s crucial to get assistance from a specialist for the correct diagnosis. This will save you time as well as money on solutions that may not solve your underlying damp issue.

If you suspect you might have damp in your home, look out for these signs:

• Musty, damp smell
• Mould on walls
• Peeling wallpaper, paint bubbles or stains
• Dark patches
• Moist walls
• Plaster discolouration and fragmentation
• Timber decay by wood-rotting fungi
• Salt stains on external walls
• Crumbling mortar on the outside of the property

Damp signs can vary depending on the type. For rising damp, look for the following signs:

• Rusty nails or screws on skirting boards
• Rotting or damaged skirting boards within the home
• Wet patches causing paint and wallpaper to peel off
• Damp patches on the floor or coverings lifting
• White powder-like substance on the ground
• Brown or yellow stains on the lower area of your wall (above skirting board)

Three things you can do to prevent damp in your home

1. Keep your home ventilated since good ventilation will limit the build-up of condensation.
2. Use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is a quick and easy solution for decreasing moisture in the air.
3. Reduce moisture in your home. You can do this by keeping lids on pots when cooking, only boiling the kettle when you really need to, drying clothes outside instead of using a tumble drier and wiping the shower or bath after using it.

Hydrostop SA can identify damp issues on your property and offer the most suitable solution to resolve it. Waterproofing Pretoria is their primary goal and passion, so you can be sure you are in good hands! Get in touch with the team today for a quote.

Many people experience damp in their homes, some without even knowing it. If you aren’t aware already, damp causes mould growth. Mould growth can cause numerous illnesses such as nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, eye irritation, and even skin irritation.

But what causes damp? There are various factors that contribute to damp in and around the home. From the age of the building to whether condensation is present.

Below are some usual causes of damp:

Leaking gutters

Gutters are typically overlooked by homeowners because they are costly to fix. However, the damage leaking gutters may cause – structural faults due to damp – will cost you much more if ignored. It is crucial to address problems around your home the moment you spot them to prevent it from causing even bigger problems in future.

Uneven ground

Homes built on uneven ground are more likely to experience rising damp. Rising damp is where water from outside moves up through your walls. Signs of rising damp will include salt stains and damage to your walls and floors.

Old buildings

Older buildings often fall victim to damp since they don’t have sufficient damp proofing anymore. There’s nothing left to prevent moisture from being absorbed through the walls. Damp proofing and improved ventilation will help get rid of damp.

Other causes of damp

• Inadequate heating in rooms
• No insulation in walls
• Moisture sources such as plants, damp clothing and cooking without lids
• Not wiping tiles, shower or bath after using it
• Rain leakage through roofs, windows and cracked walls
• Water absorbed through floors and walls
• Condensation caused by heaters or even a person breathing

There are various solutions available for treating damp. If you have any questions or need a professional to resolve damp issues around your home, get in touch with Hydrostop SA. The specialists for damp proofing Pretoria one client at a time.