Damp

Damp is a frequent problem in many homes of high-rainfall areas. Causes usually include rising damp from the floor up, penetrating damp showing with tell-tale signs of watermarks and crumbling plaster and musty-smelling condensation which needs an escape route but has too little ventilation. Solutions vary from the very early-spotted easy fix to the extremely tricky operations.

Dealing with Rising Damp
Install a damp proof course, injecting chemicals into the problem areas or re-fitting damp-proof membranes.
Dealing with Penetrating Damp
Check everything in and around the property where moisture can enter the house. Check gutters and down pipes, window frames and their underneath plus flashing, cracks and ill-fitted roofing. Fix anything that needs repairs.
Dealing with Condensation
When warm air is trapped inside the house without an escape and forms mould one has to obviously look at ventilation, regular heating, film glazing on the windows and humidity-controlling extractor fans.