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Damp Proofing

Can rising damp appear over a very short period of time. Ie a few weeks.

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.40 PM

I have a terraced Victorian cottage which has developed damp stains all around the ground floor up to about a metre. These appeared over the course of a few weeks and were discovered about a month ago. There is no mould and no smell. It has been suggested that this could be a result of a rise in the water table due to record levels of rainfall in the area during August. Is this likely? Neighbour says he’s had no problem. How should I treat it? No sign of any other cause.

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2 Answers

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

Check roofline,windows walls outside ground level as a starter, the only way a rise in the water table would effect you would be if there was standing water in the garden above the damp proof course, it's more likely a long standing issue caused by continues rainfall not allowing the building time to dry. Rising damp is misdiagnosed in this country in over 75 % of cases rising to95% in older property's. Most modern damp proof courses are designed to cover up and seal in the dampness rather than find the source &cure it. Good luck alex

Answered22 October 2021

Damp Investigations

Rating: 5 out of 5

Southall

If it’s a yellow stain or looks like darker paint , it’s not rising damp, it’s hygroscopic damp ; this is when defective plaster absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.

Answered25 October 2021