Every homeowner dreads finding damp and mould in their home, it can appear suddenly without warning but there are ways and means of eliminating the problem
Damp and mould are often a result of poor ventilation. Damp and mould occur when the conditions allow, usually a change of weather, temperature, a leak, or due to water ingress. The big question will damp and mould damage my home, is, yes, it will but the extent of the damage is dependent on how swiftly you deal with the damp issue.
What damage will damp and mould do to my home?
Damp and mould can cause considerable damage to properties but not only does it damage property, but it can also damage your health.
Most common damage that can be caused by damp and mould.
- Rotten timbers
- Dry rot
- Wet rot
- Damage to plaster
- Damage to insulation
- Damage to furniture and carpets
- Damage to flooring
- Damage to brickwork or stud work
- Damage to the structure of the building
What damage will damp and mould do to my health?
Our health is incredibly important and we all do what we can to stay fit and healthy. However, if you have damp and mould in your property, it could be contributing to health issues such as;
- Respiratory disorders
- Rashes
- Coughing, sneezing or watery eyes
- Headaches
Damp and mould can be more of a concern for those who suffer from medical conditions such as asthma. It is important to have any indications of damp or mould assessed before they spread throughout the house. Mould spores can travel through the air and are inhaled, the spores can cause problems with respiratory tracts and the lungs.
Don’t try and get rid of any mould by yourself if it triggers your asthma – ask a friend to help. And always get a damp and mould specialist in to deal with the problem and prevent it from coming back time and time again.
Ventilating the property can help with damp and mould issues
As previously stated, damp and mould is often caused by poor ventilation or the ingress of moisture. With plenty of ventilation available, it minimises the risk of damp and mould building up (trapped moisture). The moisture that is in the home is then able to be dried or vented to the outside.
Sometimes, overcoming a damp and mould problem in your home and preventing the problem worsening, may only require the assistance of a professional damp surveyor and some friendly advice based on many years of experience. With the assistance from the damp inspector, they can advise what is needed in order to remedy the damp and mould issues.
In the long term, this will save you money and effort, because if you leave it, or ignore the fact you need assistance with damp, it is likely to only get worse.
Quick Fix
Try to avoid the numerous companies who may offer a quick fix solution. There are a host of companies who will offer free damp surveys, they will offer to come out for free and provide a quote, but often these companies don’t have the many years of expertise and professionalism of a Building Surveyor.
More often than not, a week long training course on damp and they become nothing more than salespeople with a desire to make as much commission as they can.
An independent surveying company are different, such as Alpine Surveys, who have no interest in carrying out any remedial works. They simply provide a survey that details the true source of the problem and the best way to rectify it, often saving people a fortune. And, many of them stand by their guarantee!