What are the 7 most common causes of damp in UK homes? 

Should I be concerned about damp?

It’s estimated that in England, 4% of all homes report issues related to damp. In the rental housing market, this number increases to 11% potentially caused by a higher number of rental properties being older housing stock.

Damp in homes not only causes structural damage and in turn reduce the value of the property. It can also lead to health risks due to the mould that often accompanies it. By knowing the common causes of damp in your home and understanding how to address it, you may prevent unnecessary repairs and health issues in the future.

In this blog article, we’ll walk you through the seven most common causes of damp in UK homes. We will also discuss how Ideal Response can help you to identify, treat, and prevent damp-related damage in your home.

1. Condensation

Condensation is the most frequent cause of damp in the UK and affects around 1 in 5 homes. A tell-tail sign that your home has been affected by damp caused by condensation is finding areas of black mould around windows, doors, walls and ceilings.  This type of damp occurs when warm, moist air generated indoors meets cold surfaces such as walls and windows which leads to water droplets forming.

You will usually find that damp caused by condensation is more common in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, where there is a high amount of water vapor and not enough ventilation. For example, if your extractor fan fails in your bathroom and you continue to shower without opening the window, it won’t be long until you start seeing small patches of mould on the ceiling.

2. Rising damp

One of the causes of damp is rising damp is caused when moisture from the ground travels up through the walls of a property. Rising damp is more common in older buildings because the damp-proof course (DPC) has most likely deteriorated over time.

Signs that you may have rising damp include:

• Stained or damp walls which typically appears above skirting boards on the ground floor. 
• Peeling wallpaper and plaster. The wallpaper will start to peel away from the wall and plaster affected by rising damp will bubble and flake off the wall when gently touched.  
• Musty smell in the room. Over time, a saturated wall will cause a damp atmosphere, and that unpleasant musty smell shortly follows.

3. Penetrating damp

This cause of damp occurs when rainwater seeps into the property via an external defect of a building. Examples of these types of defects include:

• Cracks in brickwork
• Gaps around windows or doors
• Damaged roof tiles, allowing water to penetrate through the building’s exterior.

Penetrating damp is also found more commonly in older homes that have older masonry or homes which are in exposed areas that are more susceptible to wind-driven rain.

4. Leaking gutters and downpipes

A defective gutter and downpipe can cause significant damp over time which, left untreated, can be expensive to resolve and repair. Often, damp is caused due to guttering becoming blocked with dirt and debris which will cause water to overflow and cascade down the walls and create damp patches. Over time, this can cause extensive damage to brickwork and internal walls if not addressed.

5. Roof leaks

Roof leaks are another common cause of damp which is usually due to damaged or missing roof tiles, cracked flashing, or aging roof materials. If your roof is damaged water has the potential to seep into the loft space and down the walls. You will also start to see damp patches on ceilings. This often results in discolouration of ceiling paint and patches of mould growth.

6. Low quality external drainage

If rainwater starts to pool near the foundation and walls of your property because the ground doesn’t drain efficiently, the building could be susceptible to rising and penetrating damp due to the rainwater seeping through the structure of the building.

Poorly landscaped areas can also contribute, especially where sloping ground is directing water towards the property rather than away from it.

7. Burst or Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes within walls, floors, or ceilings can be a hidden cause of damp that goes undetected for long periods of time. For example, when the colder months come, the drop in temperature can cause water in pipework to freeze. This causes the water to expand and puts excessive pressure on joints causing them to break.

The source of a small leak can be exceptionally difficult to identify. This is until large damp patches or even mould growth can be seen. However, a professional leak detection service can swiftly and effectively identify and repair the source of the water leak. As well as reducing the risk of prolonged damage to the structure of the building.

The importance of identifying and resolving damp in buildings quickly

Within the UK, excessive damp in homes not only impacts people physically, it also can affect mental health too. Physical symptoms of exposure to damp and mould can include respiratory issues and reduction in immunity. Both of which are even more concerning for vulnerable people such as the elderly, allergy sufferers and children. Doctors have also reported that residents of homes with a damp and mould issue can be more susceptible to increased levels of anxiety and depression.

It is the damp and humid conditions which create the perfect environment for black mould which is a fungus. However, it’s the spores it produces which cause the risks to health. These spores are about half the width of a human hair and can cause an array of different allergic reactions just by touching or inhaling them.

In addition to the risks to health, excessive damp and mould can affect the structural integrity of a building. Wood can rot, plaster can crumble, and masonry can deteriorate over time.

By addressing damp issues head-on, structural damage can be prevented and a healthier living environment maintained.

Need a damp and mould specialist?

At Ideal Response we offer a comprehensive approach to tackling instances of damp and mould within domestic and commercial properties. From leak detection through to specialist cleaning for black mould removal, we combine proven techniques with the latest in cleaning technology to provide total peace of mind. Identifying the causes of damp and delivering peace of mind with our trusted solutions.

Here’s the proof:

East London Mould Remediation

The property located in East London had suffered extensive water damage over a prolonged period and subsequently mould growth.

Mould Removal in Grade II Listed Property

Four different properties at the National Railway Museum’s site had mould, including an iconic Grade II listed building.

New Build Housing Development Mould Remediation

During a large construction project, the client was faced with the ongoing issue of water ingress and the resulting mould growth. Around 40-50 new build properties still under construction were taking in a substantial amount of water.

What next?

If you suspect that your domestic or commercial property has a damp or mould issue, contact one of the Ideal Response team who will happily answer any questions and advise on the best course of action to get the issue resolved quickly.