Possible Causes Of Damp In Your Home

There are many possible reasons damp can occur in your home. Once moisture finds a way in, it can be very difficult to get rid of.  It is a good idea to identify the sources of moisture in your property, and then attempt to fortify these areas against encroaching water. Knowing what these sources are is the main factor in knowing how to prevent damp from taking over your home.

Pipes

If there is a broken pipe running inside a wall or floor, this can cause a leakage of water. This can be identified by getting a plumber to trace where the leak is coming from and confirm where the damp patch on the wall or floor has originated from. It is important to find the source of the damp as quickly as possible, because damp caused by water leakage will get worse over time, and take longer to dry out.

Humidity

Humidity levels are a prime culprit when damp occurs in the home. This is an easy fix, you can simply prevent it by installing vents, opening windows and using fans.

Humidity can be caused from cooking, as if there are no windows open steam will rise and can cause dampness. Showering is also another way humidity can be increased, therefore shower with a window open so the moisture has a way to escape and dampness will less likely occur. New build properties tend to have extractor fans installed in bathrooms and kitchens as a rule, so ensure that these are utilised when cooking or showering.

Roof

Roofs are a huge area of any property, highly susceptible to damp. Depending on the roof construction, different problems can occur. For example a tile roof, made up of concrete or clay tiles, will need regular inspection to ensure none of the tiles are cracked or broken. Similarly, with slate roofs, inspect that the slates have not slipped. Any gaps in the roof will result in water penetration, causing excessive moisture and eventually dampness.

Attention needs to be given to the flashing on the roof as well. Watertight flashings will deflect water away from the adjoining wall, meaning that it cannot run down into the house itself. If your flashing has become displaced or is missing entirely, this will be another source of water penetration. In order to prevent this, make sure that your roof has regular checks by qualified roofing contractors, who will replace tiles that are broken and make sure there are suitable watertight flashings. Overall, it is important to regularly make sure your roof is clear of any defects and that the materials used are all durable and in sound condition. A well-maintained roof will also help if you decide to sell your home.

In conclusion, there are many possible causes of dampness in your home, therefore it is important to be informed on them whilst knowing how to prevent it from occurring.

Here at MPK Lofts, we don’t just provide high quality roofing and roof repair services; we have been providing first class construction services across the Bristol and Bath region for over 25 years. Loft conversions are our specialty, however we also offer extensions and garage conversions at a very high quality.