Penetrating Damp-
What is Penetrating Damp?
Penetrating damp is the term given to rainwater that passes through the walls or roof of a building. It may be nothing more than the appearance of a damp patch, but if left unchecked, the consequences can be very severe, costly and difficult to repair.
Its presence is normally indicated by moisture at the base of the wall, reducing with increasing height. Often a ‘tide-mark’ is visible. Hygroscopic salts (particularly chlorides/nitrates) are almost invariably present in groundwater and will therefore be found in walls and plaster suffering from rising damp.
Help & Information for Homeowners
Main causes of penetrating damp
Penetrating damp (or rainwater penetration) can occur for a great many reasons, but the overarching causes will usually be one or more of the following:
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Inadequate repair and maintenance
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Deterioration of construction materials
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Damage
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Design
The location and orientation of a building will also be important. High levels of exposure to wind driven rain or very high levels of rainfall also have an effect on the likelihood, frequency and severity of damp penetration. To learn more about the causes, expand the options below.
Well maintained buildings are generally much less likely to be affected than those that are neglected. Blocked guttering and defective fall pipes are a common cause or water ingress but poor pointing, defective roof coverings, and flashings though sometimes less obvious are also important.
Regular inspections, cleaning and repairs should be scheduled by every homeowner to help prevent penetrating dampness and to address issues before the consequences of water ingress become severe.
More about cause 1- Repair & Maintenance
Well maintained buildings are generally much less likely to be affected than those that are neglected. Blocked guttering and defective fall pipes are a common cause or water ingress but poor pointing, defective roof coverings, and flashings though sometimes less obvious are also important.
Regular inspections, cleaning and repairs should be scheduled by every homeowner to help prevent penetrating dampness and to address issues before the consequences of water ingress become severe.
More about cause 4- Design >>>
When any home/building is planned & designed, its use, location and orientation is all considered. This is not just important aesthetically, but is essential if it is to resist the rain and wind that try to drive water into it.
Fashion and taste as well as practicality drive building design. Occasionally, architectural features can be a vector for penetrating dampness. Solid wall construction, parapet walls, raised brick features, rainwater pipes and even material choice can all increase the susceptibility of buildings to water penetration.
More about cause 3- Damage >>>
Many of the things used to hold buildings together deteriorate over time. Wind, rain, ice and sunlight can effect renders, paints, sealants and even bricks, stone and mortar that constitute the building. Some break down rapidly and predictably, some incredibly slowly and inconsistently.
Scheduled inspections of the building should highlight the need for any repairs that will prevent rainwater water ingress and the unwanted effects of penetrating dampness.
More about cause 2- Deterioration of construction Materials >>>
Many of the things used to hold buildings together deteriorate over time. Wind, rain, ice and sunlight can effect renders, paints, sealants and even bricks, stone and mortar that constitute the building. Some break down rapidly and predictably, some incredibly slowly and inconsistently.
Scheduled inspections of the building should highlight the need for any repairs that will prevent rainwater water ingress and the unwanted effects of penetrating dampness.
What to look out for
Where the effects of penetrating damp are seen within the home/building, they will usually first present themselves as damp patches on ceilings or walls. Water running in around the window reveals (the timber surrounding of the window unit, i.e windowsills) or even puddling is now common where problems are severe. You may also see deterioration of decorative finishes, decay in important wooden structural and decorative elements.
In any event it is advised that the full extent and the likely implications of any penetrating dampness are evaluated and assessed by an expert.
