Noticed signs of damp in your home? Not only can damp be unsightly, but it could be causing damage to your home. On top of this, damp can lead to mold, which could cause people in your home to get sick. It’s therefore important to get rid of any damp issues the moment you notice them occurring. Here are just several ways to reduce dampness in your home.
Fix any plumbing leaks
Plumbing leaks are an obvious source of damp. If you’ve got a burst pipe or leaking appliance, make sure to call an emergency plumber as soon as possible. Some leaks aren’t obvious – signs such as high water bill, unexplained damp patches on walls, or low water pressure could be a sign that a plumbing leak is to blame.
Repair your roof
A damaged roof can cause rainwater to leak in, which can also lead to dampness. If you’ve noticed rainwater leaking in, it could be time to invest in roof repair. Very old roofs may even benefit from a complete replacement. When handling roof repair, always hire a professional roofing company. Repairing your roof yourself could be hazardous.
Install a damp proof course
Rising damp can also be an issue worth looking out for. This is when water from the ground rises up through the walls. Rising damp can be prevented by installing a protective layer around the base of your home known as a damp proof course. If your home already has a damp proof course and you’re experiencing damage, it could be a case of looking into damp proof course repair as these protective layers can sometimes get damaged by things like tree roots.
Ventilate your home
Sometimes a simple lack of ventilation can lead to dampness. Without ventilation, condensation can collect on walls. This is most common in an unventilated bathroom or kitchen in which steam is regularly being produced, however, condensation can also be formed just from us breathing. You can ventilate your home by opening windows. Installing extractor fans can also be useful for helping to pump out water vapor in rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen.
Don’t hang wet clothes indoors
Hanging wet clothes indoors can also lead to dampness. As these clothes, dry the water can evaporate into the air and then collect as condensation on walls. Hanging your wet clothes outside is an easy way to prevent this. Alternatively, if it’s raining or you don’t have an outdoor space, you could consider buying a tumble dryer.
Use a dehumidifier
Some homes are naturally very humid due to their proximity to water or the local climate. In these cases, a dehumidifier could be useful for converting water vapor into dry air. You can buy electric dehumidifiers or you can try using natural forms of dehumidifying such as using houseplants and salt rock candles.
