Ryedale Remedials

It is estimated that one in five homes in Scotland suffers from damp, while a UK poll carried out in 2014 by The Energy Saving Trust found that 38% of those surveyed complained of damp problems and 29% said they had mould in their homes. Damp is not only bad for the fabric of a property, but also impacts on the health of those exposed to spores resulting from mould growth.

Rising damp is a problem which commonly affects older properties where the original damp proof course has become damaged, or the ground level around the property has been raised. Over time, water works its way through brick or stone work and the cement holding it together, causing rising damp.

Aside from being unsightly and potentially bad for the health of those living in the affected property, rising damp often leads to timber decay which can affect the fabric of your home.That's why it's important to deal with the problem sooner rather than later, as leaving it will only cause it to get worse and make it more expensive to deal with later on.

Dry rot spores are present in every home, but remain harmless unless they come into contact with water such as from a leaking roof, damaged down pipes or gutters, or leaking pipes. When that happens, the spores germinate, creating a fluffly cotton wool-like fungus which can cause serious damage to timber structures.

Wet rot is generally more common than dry rot and is caused by continuous damp conditions affecting timber. As timber can account for up to 70% of the materials used in the construction of a property, if left untreated, it can cause severe damage as timbers are undermined. Typical signs of wet rot are a damp, musty smell, the cracking and weakening of timber and the presence of fungal growth.

Condensation is the most common form of dampness in British homes and is caused when moisture in a warm atmosphere condenses on cool surfaces. Condensation is generally the result of improved insulation and heat retention, but inadequate ventilation. In the worst cases, condensation leads to black mould, peeling wallpaper, damage to fabrics and an unpleasant musty, damp smell within the property.