One of the most common damp problems homeowners have to deal with in the UK is water ingress. The problem, which typically begins with mild dampness, unpleasant odours, mould growth, and stuffiness, very quickly escalates to serious moisture damage and respiratory health issues if not addressed promptly.
Water Ingress (Penetrating Damp): What You Should Know
One of the most common damp problems homeowners have to deal with in the UK is water ingress. The problem, which typically begins with mild dampness, unpleasant odours, mould growth, and stuffiness, very quickly escalates to serious moisture damage and respiratory health issues if not addressed promptly.
To put it simply, water ingress is a problem no homeowner wants to deal with.
But what exactly is water ingress? And how can you detect, treat and prevent it? Keep reading to find out.
What is Water Ingress?
Water ingress occurs when water or moisture finds its way into a building and ends up in unwanted areas. It is sometimes referred to as penetrating damp. Water ingress can cause a lot of long-term damage to a building, and while its effects may not seem significant initially, serious problems (like structural damage) can develop in the future if you do not address them promptly.
Signs of Water Ingress (Penetrating Damp)
Some of the common signs of water ingress you need to watch out for include;
- A persistent damp and musty smell.
- Damp patches on your ceilings and walls.
- Peeling plaster, paint, or wallpaper.
- Dampness or water pooling in your basement or cellar.
- Fungal decay and mould growth on the walls.
If you start to notice any of the above signs in your home, take quick action and call in a professional or damp specialists london to determine the underlying cause and recommend the best course of treatment.
Causes of Water Ingress
The most common cause of water ingress is defects or faults in a building’s structure. These building defects allow water to infiltrate and cause dampness or damage. Some common building issues that could potentially encourage the ingress of water include;
Blocked or Faulty Gutters – If your home’s valley gutters are blocked or faulty (cracks and holes), water can easily start to penetrate into the walls of your building, thus, making them damp.
Roof Damage – Missing broken tiles, defective surfacing, and leaks on your roof can lead to ingress of rainwater. Deteriorating mortar and a faulty flashing chimney could also be the culprits behind water ingress.
Wall Damage – Water ingress can occur if your walls have building defects, blocked air bricks, missing DPC in cavity walls (where access is often a major issue), and damaged pipework (which makes your mortar porous).
Faulty Windows – Faulty flashing around window frames can also allow water to enter your home and cause damage.
Plumbing Issues – Penetrating damp can easily occur when your home’s plumbing system (especially water pipes and drains) is faulty.
Rising Damp- An absent or failing damp proof course is what leads to rising damp and if you have this problem, it won’t be long before you end up with moisture (penetrating damp) coming in from the external ground level near the skirting boards.
Treating Water Ingress
If you find yourself dealing with a water ingress problem, the first thing you need to do is find the underlying cause of the ingress and fix it. Once you’ve stopped the water at its source, the next step is to allow the affected areas enough time to dry out before hiring a professional to repair the damage.
Sometimes finding the underlying source of the problem yourself may not be easy and you will need to hire a professional damp surveyor from the very start.
Preventing Water Ingress
If left unaddressed, water ingress can cause significant structural damages that will cost a lot of money to repair. They can also cause serious health problems, especially to the respiratory system, so it is crucial that you prevent it from occuring in the first place.
The best way to prevent water ingress is to prioritise the maintenance of your property by;
- Fixing all defective drainage. Unclog blocked gutters and promptly carry out necessary repairs.
- Repairing roof damage and replacing missing or broken slates.
- Regular inspection of waterproofing systems and external wall cavities.
- Applying water repellent (or facade cream) to walls. These products penetrate the concrete, brick or stone of the walls to make them water-resistant.
- Removing vegetation from your house. Climbing plants on exterior walls can hold moisture which then penetrates the walls.
- Fixing all faulty internal plumbing.
Conclusion
Water ingress can be really frustrating when it hits your property, so the best thing you can do is to take the necessary steps to avoid it by understanding what its causes are and how you can prevent them.
If you already have water ingress on your property, all hope is not lost, as there are ways to treat the issue and get your comfort back. Be sure to always prioritise property maintenance and notify a waterproofing or damp specialist the moment you notice any signs of water ingress on your property.
