Carl, Author at The Damp Buster

How do I stop damp in my wardrobe?

Posted on August 6, 2020 Written by Carl

In this article we will be looking at how you can stop damp in your wardrobe. This will include how the damp usually forms. As well as the differences between damp in a fitted wardrobe and damp in a free standing wardrobe.

There are a few things you can do to stop damp in a wardrobe. The first thing you will need to do is improve air circulation and ventilation. This will allow air to circulate inside the wardrobe and avoid condensation forming.

The second thing you can do, is trying to avoid high levels of humidity in the room. Again, this will come down to ventilation and allowing air to circulate throughout the room.

The main reason that wardrobes become damp, is the air is unable to circulate. This means that moist air becomes trapped and settles on the inside surfaces of your wardrobe. This causes damp and will eventually lead to mould forming.

fitted wardrobe or free standing wardrobe

How you deal with the damp in your wardrobe, will depend on the type of wardrobe you have. Are your wardrobes fitted? Or are they free standing wardrobes that you can easily move?

Both types of wardrobe can suffer from poor circulation and ventilation. Because of this, both types can suffer from condensation and moist air being trapped inside the wardrobe. However, fitted wardrobes may cause more problems than free standing wardrobes. This is mainly because a free standing wardrobe can be moved, whereas fitted wardrobes are fixed in place.

One of the most common ways that condensation forms, is when moisture meets a dew point. A dew point is a cold surface that naturally attracts warm moist air. For this reason, you should check whether your wardrobe is placed up against a cold external wall.

if you own a free standing wardrobe this can be easily moved away from cold exterior walls. On the other hand, if your wardrobes are fitted on a cold wall this could be more problematic.

Easy fixes for a free standing wardrobe

If you have a free standing wardrobe, you will often find that you get damp and mould on the back inside surface.

You may also notice the damp and mould begins to form behind your wardrobe. You can easily stop the latter, by slightly moving your wardrobe away from the wall. This will allow air to circulate better, which will mean there is less chance of condensation settling on the wall.

Also, as we mentioned before, if the wardrobe is against a cold exterior wall simply move it to another wall in the room. The combination of a larger gap behind the wardrobe, and being placed on a slightly warmer wall, should stop damp and mould from forming as easily.

What if your fitted wardrobe is on an exterior wall?

If you have a fitted wardrobe on an exterior wall, in most cases you can’t just move it to another wall. your wardrobe is fitted in place and is usually designed for the area is fitted in. However, if it is fitted on a cold exterior wall you will have the same problem. The cold surface will form a dew point, which makes it easier for condensation to form.

Most fitted wardrobes will have a small void between the back of the wardrobe and the wall itself. One solution could be to remove the wardrobes and place insulation behind the back panels. By adding some insulation This should increase the temperature of the back surface, meaning it is no longer a dew point.

You could also consider painting the back wall with an anti mould damp proof paint. This should help to avoid mould forming in the future.

Obviously, you will need to make sure that all mould is removed from the surface. Once this has been done, you can add a coat of anti mould paint and then place insulation. Following this, you can fit your wardrobes back over the newly insulated wall.

Ways to reduce condensation in your wardrobe

As we already know condensation forming is the result of three things:

Excess moisture and humidity in the air
Poor ventilation and air circulation
A cold surface the condensation can form on (a dew point)

As we have already discussed, a cold surface at the back of your wardrobe (also known as a dew point), makes it very easy for condensation to form.

However, for condensation to form there needs to be excess moisture in the air. Therefore, the second thing we need to do is reduce the amount of moisture and humidity in the air.

The best way to reduce moisture in the air is via decent ventilation. This can be achieved in several ways. Firstly, we need to make sure the room itself is well ventilated. This can be as simple as opening a door, or occasionally opening the window. Both actions will allow moist air to escape from the room.

Below are a few more things that you can do to improve circulation, and lower air humidity in your room and wardrobe:

Use a dehumidifier – A dehumidifier can be a great way of extracting moisture from the air. A good dehumidifier can remove a significant amount of moisture. Larger models can remove as much as eight litres per day. The size of dehumidifier you choose will usually depend on the size of the room that it will be placed in. You can read more about how dehumidifiers reduce damp here
Regularly open the doors of your wardrobes – Leaving your wardrobe doors closed all the time does not allow any air to circulate inside. By regularly opening them, you will allow trapped moisture to escape and fresh new air to enter the wardrobe.
Add air vents to your wardrobe – Adding an air vent to your wardrobe is another way you can help air to circulate. This can be beneficial in both fitted and free standing wardrobes.
Avoid overfilling your wardrobe – Whatever you are putting in your wardrobe, overfilling it is Guaranteed to reduce air circulation. If your wardrobe is packed full of clothes or other items, it will be much easier for damp and mould to form.
Fully dry clothes – If your wardrobe is mainly for storing clothes, you should make sure that the clothes you place in the wardrobe are completely dry. Adding additional moisture inside your wardrobe in the form of wet clothes, will increase the chance of mould forming.

Conclusion

As we mentioned, the main reason for condensation and damp forming, is moisture in the air and poor ventilation. This will usually result in condensation forming on cold surfaces with poor air circulation.

For this reason, there are things you will need to do, to avoid damp in your wardrobe. Firstly, you need to remove moisture from the air, and secondly you need to improve ventilation and air circulation.

If you can get these things right, damp in your wardrobe should become a thing of the past.

How do I stop damp in my bathroom? 5 ways to reduce bathroom damp

Posted on August 5, 2020 Written by Carl

In this article we will be looking at how you can stop damp in your bathroom. This will cover why bathrooms are more prone to damp, as well as some quick tips to reduce condensation damp and mould.

So how do you stop damp in your bathroom?

To stop damp in your bathroom you need to improve ventilation and air circulation. This will stop the moisture that is created from settling on surfaces and creating condensation damp.

You can do this by allowing moist air to escape from the room. This can be achieved by something as simple as opening a window or fitting an extractor fan.

If you don’t have an extractor fan, you could use a dehumidifier to extract moisture from the air. You can also use anti mould and damp proof paints to stop damp and mould from forming.

Why bathrooms are prone to damp

Bathrooms are more prone to damp compared with other rooms in the home. This is mainly due to activities, such as running hot baths or taking long showers. All these produce a large amount of steam and condensation. If this steam and condensation is not extracted, then it will settle on surfaces in the bathroom.

The bathroom also tends to be one of the smaller rooms in the house. When multiple people are using it daily, the amount of moisture that is created, can be considerably more than any other room in the house.

Overtime all this condensation will settle on surfaces and start to form black mould. This is not only unpleasant to look at, but it can also be quite bad for your health.

5 Ways to reduce damp in your bathroom

There are several ways to reduce moisture in your bathroom. In this section we are going to be looking at 5 effective ways to reduce the amount of condensation that is formed in your bathroom.

the first way to reduce condensation is quite simple. You can open a window when you are taking a shower or running a bath. By opening a window, you allow moisture to escape. This will allow the condensation to leave the bathroom and fresh air to circulate in.
The 2nd way to reduce moisture in your bathroom is to use an extractor fan. These are usually quite affordable. However, you will usually need an electrician to install this if you do not already have one.

The good news is once they are installed, they can be turned on whenever you are using your shower or bath. The extractor fan will essentially suck the moisture out of the bathroom. This will result in better air circulation, so not only will the moisture be removed from the bathroom, but fresh air will be circulated in, and the moist air will not have time to settle on surfaces.
Another way to reduce moisture in the bathroom is to use a dehumidifier. If you do not have an extractor fan, or are unable to have one fitted, a dehumidifier is an affordable alternative.

These can usually be bought for under 50 pounds and you can simply turn them on to extract moisture from the air in your bathroom.
Another way to reduce the condensation in your bathroom, is to just produce less moisture. You can do this by having shorter showers, or by simply not running the water as hot.

If you take cooler showers and baths there will not be as much condensation produced.
Finally, you can use a decent damp proof or anti mould paint. This is not actually going to stop moisture and condensation. However, it will stop mould from forming and protect your walls from the moisture being produced.

There are many different damp proof paints on the market. However, a specialist bathroom paint such as Dulux Easy Care is a great option.

Best bathroom dehumidifiers

As we mentioned previously, a small bathroom dehumidifier is a really good way to extract moisture from your bathroom. It can be far simpler than installing an extractor fan, and generally it is quite a bit cheaper. This is mainly since you won’t have to pay an electrician to install it for you.

You can usually get a decent bathroom dehumidifier for under 50 pounds. Below are a Couple of our favourites that are worth considering.

PAIPU Dehumidifier – 900ML

Our first option is the PAIPU 900 ml Dehumidifier. This model can extract up to 300 ml per day.

This dehumidifier is extremely energy efficient with very low power consumption when in use.

It also turns off automatically when full. This means that you don’t have to worry about it overflowing once the reservoir is full.

Finally, it is also very compact and light weight, which means it can be easily stored and moved around.

This dehumidifier is ideal for any room up to 20 square metres, which makes it perfect for the average size bathroom.

To learn more about the PAIPU Dehumidifier – 900ML click here

Pro Breeze Dehumidifier

Another great option is the Pro Breeze Dehumidifier. This dehumidifier has a slightly smaller tank at 500 ml and extracts 250 ml per day.

It is lightweight and portable, so it can easily be moved from room to room and is very easy to store. It will also turn off when the tank becomes full, which means you don’t need to worry about it overflowing.

The Pro Breeze is also very quiet, so you barely notice it is there.

To learn more about the Pro Breeze dehumidifier and read some reviews click here

Best bathroom damp proof paint

Damp proof paint is another really good way to protect the surfaces in your bathroom. It will not stop the moisture however it will stop it from soaking into your walls and causing unpleasant damp and mould.

We have a couple of articles on internal damp proof paint and anti mould paints which you can check out at the following links below.

Best Anti Mould Paints

Best Interior Damp Proof Paint

Both articles talk about a range of different damp proof paints and anti mould paints. However, when it comes to bathrooms, our favourite choice is Dulux Easy Care bathroom paint.

You can see the main benefits of this paint below:

highly moisture and steam resistant
Guaranteed to protect against mould for five years
10 times stronger and more durable than standard Dulux matts and emulsions
Produces a nice smooth finish
Excellent coverage in only two coats

To learn more about Dulux easy care bathroom paint and read real customer reviews click here

Conclusion

When it comes to stopping damp in your bathroom, the most important thing is to improve ventilation and air circulation.

The main cause for damp and condensation in a bathroom is the sheer amount of moisture produced. If this moisture is not being removed, then it will settle on surfaces and cause damp. Eventually this will lead to mould and overtime can lead to even bigger problems.

To save money and look after your own health, the best thing to do is deal with bathroom damp early. You can do this by making sure that moisture is being removed on a regular basis. This will avoid any future issues and make sure that your bathroom is a pleasant damp free room.

Penetrating damp – What is it and how can you fix it

Posted on August 3, 2020 Written by Carl

In this article we will be looking at penetrating damp. We will be explaining what penetrating damp is. As well as some of the common causes and how they can be fixed.

This will include DIY damp proofing solutions, as well as some jobs that will require you to hire a professional.

So, what is penetrating damp?

Penetrating damp is caused when water enters a property from the outside. This is usually caused by defects in the outside wall, such as damaged brickwork and pointing. Because of the way it enters the property, it usually appears as damp patches on inside walls. These patches will usually be concentrated around the area of the defect and may become darker and wetter when it rains.

How to identify penetrating damp

Penetrating damp is quite easy to identify because of the way it appears in your property. It will usually be isolated in one area; these damp patches will quite often flare up and down depending on the weather.

Usually you can rule out other forms of damp, such as condensation or rising damp, because the symptoms are slightly different.

For example, you will be able to rule out rising damp if the damp patches don’t start low down at skirting board level.

With condensation you will usually find that it is more spread out, rather than patches of penetrating damp. You are also unlikely to notice it until things like black mould begin to form. This is because it does not usually saturate the wall as much as water that is penetrating one concentrated area.

One area where there can be confusion with penetrating damp and condensation is around windows. A window acts as a dew point, and this means that condensation is naturally attracted to them. Due to this you will often find areas of damp and mould around windows.

However, windows are also an area where penetrating damp is quite common. Over time windows can form defects that allow water to penetrate in, these include:

Damage and wear to sealant around the window
Window trims can become damaged
Sills can be broken or damaged

All of these will potentially allow water to penetrate in. This could result in a similar effect to condensation. However, you can usually just go outside and spot these defects quite easily. Also, if your window glass is regularly covered in condensation on the inside, this is a clear sign you need to fix condensation issues.

Common causes of penetrating damp

There are several causes of penetrating damp. In this section, we will be looking at some of the most common. This should provide you with a checklist that you can run through, to help identify penetrating damp.

Cracked bricks

This is usually going to be quite easy to spot. Go outside and look at the outside wall for damage to existing brickwork. This could be at the exact point you see the damp coming inside, or possibly further up the wall.

Damaged pointing

When you are checking your brickwork for any damage, you should also check the pointing. Good pointing will usually last for 50+ years. However, it does deteriorate over time and will eventually need replacing.

Once the pointing wears down or falls out, it forms a very easy path for moisture to enter your property.

Old damaged render

Is your property rendered or pebble dashed? If it is and there is visible damage, this may be the cause of your penetrating damp. Even small cracks in your render can allow water to get in and build up behind the render. Following this it can soak into your brickwork and mortar joints.

Old flaking external masonry paint

This is very similar to the problem with render or pebble dash. Once an opening exists it allows water to enter and build up under the surface. Overtime it is highly likely that this will result in penetrating damp

Old porous bricks

All bricks are porous to a certain extent. However, older brickwork tends to be more porous than modern bricks. This means that they can absorb excess moisture. Overtime this can cause penetrating damp.

This is less obvious than a visible defect, so if this is your last option you may need to call in a professional, to identify this issue for you.

Damaged guttering and down pipes

Damage to guttering and down pipes is a very common problem. It will allow water to continuously run onto the walls. This can combine with other defects and allow a lot of water to enter your property.

Ideally any issues with your guttering or downpipes should be fixed as soon as they are spotted

Roof defects

Another common way for water entering your property is via the roof. This could be caused by a variety of problems, such as slipped or cracked tiles, pointing, flashing etc.

You may be able to spot defects from the ground or using a ladder. However, it is advised to get help from a roofing professional

Water ingress around windows and doors

As we mentioned previously this is usually quite easy to identify. Check for damage to sealant, trims, and sills on the outside of the window. These are all potential ways for water to get in. The good news is once you spot them, they are quite easy to fix.

Cavity bridging

A bridged cavity is often formed by debris and other materials becoming clogged in the cavity wall. This causes a bridge that moisture can pass across.

When bridging is your issue, you are likely to also see other defects on this list. These will usually appear higher up the outside wall. Water will penetrate through the defect and run down the inside of the cavity. Once it reaches the bridge it will cross over and penetrate the internal cavity wall and enter your property.

You will usually need to hire a professional to identify and clear a bridged cavity. This will involve drilling a hole in the mortar between your brickwork. Following this they will insert a small camera to find the bridge.

As you can see there are several different ways that penetrating damp can develop. Hopefully, the list above will give you a good starting point. Simply go through the list and see if you can find any of the problems we mentioned.

Ways to treat penetrating damp

Once you have identified the problem you can use some of the solutions below to fix your penetrating damp issue.

Replace or repair damaged brickwork

If you have identified damaged and cracked brickwork, the best way to fix this is to simply replace the brick. This may sound complicated, but if you are reasonably competent at DIY, you should be able to do this yourself.

The video below shows you exactly how this can be achieved with just a few of tools.

If this is something you are not confident with, or if it involves working at height, you could always hire a builder to do the work for you.

Repointing damaged mortar

Repointing is a very common way of solving penetrating damp issues. Depending on the size of the area, you may choose to do this yourself.

Re-pointing a couple of m2 should only take 1-2 hours and materials cost under £20. You can see another good video with step by step instructions below.

Repairing or replacing damaged render

If you have damage to existing render or pebble dash, then this will need fixing. The main problem here, is if the whole house needs re-rendering, this can be quite a big job. You can expect to pay anywhere from £20 – £70 per m2 depending on the type of render.

Smaller patching jobs should not be that expensive. But we would still recommend hiring a professional for this type of job.

Applying paints, creams, and water resistant treatments

One good way to waterproof your house is by adding an external waterproof barrier such as an external masonry paint or other waterproof treatment. This job can be done DIY, or you can hire a professional.

There are just a couple of things to remember here:

If you are doing the entire house, this could require scaffolding. You will need to factor this into the cost. Hiring a scaffolding company can be expensive. An alternative here could be to hire something like a mobile tower scaffold.
The second thing to consider, is this is a big job. Do you have the time to do the work yourself?

If you do hire a professional, they may charge by m2 or possibly a day rate. A standard day rate for this type of work would be anywhere from £120 – £200 per day. Most contractors will be able to give you a fixed price for the work. Just remember materials and scaffolding will be an extra cost.

Fix roof defects

There are lots of potential roof defects that can cause penetrating damp. Generally, we do not recommend carrying out this type of work DIY. For starters, it involves working at height, and secondly a good roofer will be able to fix small defects quite easily.

One important thing to remember here, is to get recommendations when hiring a roofer. Also get a few opinions. Do not just hire the first person that tells you, you need an entire new roof. This could be a very expensive way of fixing a very small defect.

Seal around windows and doors

This will usually involve adding or replacing old silicone sealant around the window or door. You may also need to replace or add trim in areas where it is damaged or lacking. Both are quite simple jobs that can be performed by anyone with a little DIY knowledge.

You can see a quick video below of someone adding sealant around a door and adding a small amount of trim.

DIY penetrating damp solutions

As you can see, there are lots of small defects that can cause penetrating damp. The vast majority of these can be fixed using a DIY method. In many cases it will be one small external issue that is causing the problem. When this is the case it is usually quite easy to fix with some basic tools and a small amount of spare time.

However, it is always recommended that you leave more complex or dangerous jobs to the professionals. Obviously, anything that involves working at height can be dangerous. Without the correct PPE and training accidents are a risk.

Also, anything that requires a high level of skill and a high quality finish, should probably be outsourced. If something like render is applied poorly, this could ruin the external finish of your property. Not only that, if it is applied incorrectly, it could cause more problems in the long term.

Cost to fix penetrating damp

So how much does it cost to fix penetrating damp? Well, we have all heard the saying “how long is a piece of string?” and that saying is very appropriate here. The truth is it can be as little as £20 to do a small DIY repair. But for bigger, professional jobs you could be looking at thousands of pounds.

In many cases there will be individual defects that need fixing. This could be:

Replacing a brick
A small amount of repointing
A small fix to a section of guttering or down pipe
Adding some silicone around a window
A small amount of external painting or adding a cream or sealant.

All the above are low cost jobs. If you do them DIY, they will likely range between £20-£100 total. However, once you get to larger jobs, such as clearing cavity bridging or rendering an entire house, you will be looking at hundreds, or even thousands of pounds in expense.

Conclusion

So, what is penetrating damp? The answer to this lies in how the water is entering the property. It is essentially penetrating through surfaces such as your walls; this happens via defects in the building itself.

Due to this, Penetrating damp is one of the most common forms of damp. If you have already ruled out condensation, then it is highly likely that penetrating damp is your problem. All you must do now is find the cause and fix it.

Hopefully, the tips in this article have been helpful and I hope they help you get to the bottom of your damp problem.

How Do I Stop Damp Showing Through Paint?

Posted on July 31, 2020 Written by Carl

Damp patches can show on your wall for many different reasons. Whatever causes them they can all leave unsightly marks and can even lead to mould growth.

Dealing with the source of your damp should be your first priority. Once you have addressed the issue causing the damp you have a couple of options.

You can dry the area and use a damp proof paint; this will cover any cosmetic issues and should stop the problem returning.
Or if the cosmetic damage is only minor, and the issue causing it is fixed, you may get away with just drying out the damp patches.

The main point here is, the way to stop damp from showing through paint, Is to remove the source of the damp. Without dealing with the underlying issue your cosmetic repairs will probably be short lived. Prevention is vital for stopping damp from showing through paint. Repainting with damp proof paint can be a cost-effective way to remove the damp that is already showing,

What Causes Damp to Show Through Paint?

Damp shows through your paint when the wall has become exposed to excess moisture. The dampness in your wall can be caused by a few different things. Finding which type of damp you have is going to be important for treating it. It usually comes from condensation, rising damp, penetrating damp, or a defect with your roof, gutters, or pipes.

Any of those things can cause damp to show through paint. Condensation is most common in bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms in your house that may have poor ventilation. It is caused by water in the air becoming trapped and turning to moisture on your walls. Here it soaks in and turns to damp patches.

Rising damp usually occurs at the bottom of your wall and rises upwards. This is caused by problems in your wall and damp proof course which allow water to be pulled upwards. This type of damp will often leave a white salt powder on your walls. This can also show through paint if it is severe enough. Penetrating damp is caused by water entering through your wall.

Your damp could also be from faulty pipes or problems with your roof or guttering. These can all cause damp patches in the area around them if they are damaged and letting water in.

All these sources can be the cause of damp showing through your paint.

Can You Paint Over Damp with Normal Paint?

If you’re wondering how you can stop damp from showing through paint, then you might be hoping it’s as simple as painting over it with regular paint. Unfortunately, in most cases, this isn’t going to be enough. Simply painting over with regular paint will just briefly hide the problem. You will still have damp building up on your walls. The damp is going to soak back through the paint if not treated.

On top of this, you might find it difficult to apply regular paint to a damp patch that is consistently getting damper. Equally, if you have mould then simply painting over it just isn’t an option. Instead, you’ll need to remove the mould and deal with the damp patch underneath it.

Deal with the Source of the Damp First

If you want to know how to stop damp showing through your paint, the important thing is to deal with the source first. Covering up the damp to make your wall look nicer is only a temporary fix. If you don’t fix the source of the dampness in the first place, the damp will simply return.

To start with, you’ll need to figure out what type of damp you have. You can read more about the different types of damp along with some damp proofing solutions here.

Once you know the type of damp, you can start to treat the cause of it. This is the best way to stop damp from showing through your paint. Dealing with the root cause of your damp will stop the damp occurring in the future. Once this is sorted out, you can look at fixing the damp that is already there and covering up the cosmetic issues.

Using Damp Proof Paint to Stop Damp from Showing

The easiest way to deal with damp that is already showing is damp proof paint. This will waterproof your wall and fix the patches already there. This is the whole process:

The first step is to deal with any mould. You can use a mould remover like this to remove the mould and make your wall safe to be painted.
Next, you need to make sure your surface is ready for painting. The dryer the damp spot is at this point, the better. However, it doesn’t have to be entirely dried out to apply damp proof paint. As long as it isn’t fresh and completely sodden to touch.
Find great damp proof paint that is actually going to work. Our recommendations for the best damp proof paints can be seen here.
Start to paint the wall! Most anti-damp paint is going to need more than one application. Apply the first coat over the wall. Damp proof paint goes onto the wall thick, so don’t be alarmed if it feels different going on compared with regular paint.
Allow this to dry completely, how long this takes is going to depend on what type of paint you’re using.
Apply a second coat if required.
This last step is optional! If your paint can be painted over safely, paint over the damp proof layer to restore the original colour and look to your wall.

The process for applying damp proof paint is really quite simple. In some cases, you may have to dry out the damp first though.

Drying Out Damp Patches on Walls

If you have damp patches that have damaged the wall quite a bit, drying them out before you repaint will be beneficial. In minor cases drying out damp in the walls might set them right. Usually though, you will need to deal with the damage that has been done too. These are some ways you can dry out the damp patches on your wall to prep it for repainting:

Fans – Fans can be used to dry out smaller damp spots. You might have to run it for some time though.
Dehumidifier – A decent dehumidifier can help you to get the moisture out of your wall effectively. This is what you need to know about sorting out damp with a dehumidifier.
Ventilation – Opening up your windows and allowing the air to circulate in your house is great for drying out damp patches. If you have a lot of damp, then you might want to consider temporarily removing curtains around the window to ensure air circulation is the best it can be.

These solutions will speed up the damp on your wall drying out. Once they’ve dried, you will probably still need to repaint to get your wall looking its best though.

Conclusion

Damp showing through your paint can come from a lot of different sources, treating that source is your first step to stopping it. Once you’ve dealt with the root cause, you can actually get down to fixing the cosmetic issue of the damp patches coming through your paint.

Repainting your walls isn’t going to be enough. Take some time to dry out the damp patches and use a damp proof paint on the wall. This can effectively protect your walls in the future and deal with your current damp problem.