Introduction to Damp Issues
In today’s blog, I want to explain the different types of damp issues that are commonly found in Croydon town, UK homes. This includes how damp proofing Croydon company can address these issues. What the possible underlying problems could be. And also how one would go about remedying them.
Understanding Old Croydon Homes
The first thing we need to understand about typical Croydon townhomes before we can discuss damp issues is how they are built.
Up until about the 1900s, the traditional method of building properties involved using bricks and mortar. The walls were single-leaf solid walls, which means that there was only one single layer of brick. A doubled-up layer of brick normally separated the indoors from the outdoors.
Fireplaces were another common thing until the 1900s and even just past the 1900s. People used these for their intended purposes.
For Santa to escape through on Christmas, HAHA! (I joke)
People used fireplaces to heat homes, but they eventually became obsolete for various reasons. With changes in construction methods, damp proofing Croydon has become a vital service for older homes in the area.
Switch to Cavity Walls
Around the 1920s, a new method of building the walls of houses became a widely accepted norm. People called this construction method cavity walls.
The method of construction was the same. Instead of a single layer of brick, builders used one layer called the outer leaf, followed by a cavity and then another layer of masonry, either brick or block, known as the inner leaf. This separation meant that the outer leaf would essentially protect the inner leaf from the elements. If that failed, the cavity would act as a natural runoff for any water that managed to get in.
This type of construction is less prone to external factors that contribute to dampness, although services like damp proofing Croydon are crucial for maintaining these structures.
External Causes of Damp
Now that we understand the very basics of typical walls, we can discuss the external factors that can cause dampness in solid brick wall houses.
External ground levels, the condition of external walls and mortar joints, and leaky drain pipes or gutters cause these issues. External ground levels around any building should be at least 150 millimetres below the damp-proof course (DPC).
Usually, builders place the DPC, a layer of waterproof material, on top of the third or fourth course of brick to prevent absorbed water from rising to the internal ground floor level. In houses with single solid brick walls, if the external ground floor level is above the DPC, the brick will absorb water above the damp-proof course, which will then show up internally as damp. This is known as bridging damp; addressing it with services like damp proofing Croydon is often necessary.
Solving ground-level damp
I’ve seen this problem in the past. Also, I’ve seen people lower their external ground levels around the house. They dig little trenches and fill them with pebble stones to help water naturally run off. Such measures, combined with damp-proofing Croydon experts, can effectively mitigate damp issues.
Damp from Poor External Walls
In Croydon, some houses feature external renders like pebble dash, typically used to cover poor brickwork in Croydon. Bricks beneath and act as an extra layer of protection from the elements.
Water can quickly enter the cracks if the render is poorly maintained and cracked. Once inside, the brick absorbs the water and then appears inside. However, The same applies if there’s no render on the outside. Time has slowly worn out the joints between the bricks, causing penetrating dampness.
One way to combat this is to fix any cracks in the render and repaint it every five to ten years. You could also look into getting external wall insulation. It will not only act as an extra defense barrier but also make your home warmer and more energy-efficient.
Lastly, you could fix any worn-out mortar joints around the house, potentially stopping any penetrating damp from occurring. For homes in Croydon, these solutions are often part of a comprehensive Damp Proofing Croydon service.
Problems with Leaking Pipes
Leaking drain pipes or gutters can overflow. Often, the water just flows onto the building. If enough water flows onto the same spot over time, the brickwork in Croydon can get weathered down, making it more susceptible to water absorption. Again, this is similar and is also known as penetrating damp.
Fix or clear out any leaky drain pipes or gutters. Experts in damp proofing Croydon can help.
Internal Causes of Damp
If all these external problems are fixed or found to be okay, then we have to worry about the internal factors that affect the home’s environment.
There are three things to consider when talking about internal factors, which are
- Heating
- Ventilation
- Insulation
These internal measures, paired with damp proofing services in Croydon, can significantly improve the living conditions in your home.
Long-Term Solutions for Damp
Damp is a really tricky problem to combat. We need to tackle it at the source instead of relying on temporary measures, such as painting over it or injecting walls with damp-proof chemicals.
The ideal environment inside a home needs to be dry and warm—about 20 degrees. The effects of damp usually lessen during the warmer months of the year and get worse in the winter.
Damp in Croydon will always be an issue because of the way properties are built and the hard-to-control internal and external environments. Engaging with damp-proofing Croydon professionals can help address these challenges effectively.
Final Thoughts
This has been an eye-opening and informational topic for you. As I know, many people suffer from damp issues. Hopefully, this will give you a basic understanding of the potential causes and what you could possibly do to remedy them.
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