Is condensation nothing but a damp squib?

Some might think that condensation on the windows and a chilly, damp atmosphere in the home are just part and parcel of the winter months. After all, going out for a walk in the colder months where you can see your breath forming in white plumes before you means that that sort of dampness surely comes with the colder weather. Doesn't it?

In reality, though, such symptoms within a home might be an indication of more serious problems that ultimately could affect the health of those living in the property.

When you think of damp and the severe problems that water can cause, it's almost certainly flooding that comes to mind. With the climate change exacerbating the weather events, the storms are increasing in their frequency and ferocity, which means that saturated ground simply can't cope with the deluge of rainwater. 

Therefore, the water needs to run off somewhere and it always coalesces in the areas of least resistance - the valleys and hollows that are all part of the British landscape. Unfortunately, that does mean that any housing that is in its way will become subject to flooding.

We've talked about flood risk assessments before, but what about other water-related problems?

When asked about this, quite a few people might immediately respond with “rising damp”. While this is an occasional problem, rising damp is not that common since most properties will have a damp-proof course in their structure (towards ground level) to prevent damp rising from the soil around the foundations and upwards through the building.

The two big problems are caused by water coming in from the outside and the management of dampness within the home.

The main issue within the home comes from condensation - the process whereby warm water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface, condensing into water molecules. This is precisely what happens on, say, a bathroom mirror or on the windows that are externally facing.

This means that if the water vapour is not managed correctly, it will condense on any cold surface. While the primary symptom will be a wet surface, this will be a good breeding ground for moulds, and especially the black mould that is often found in the corners of rooms where warm vapour is found such as bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

The mould spores can be very detrimental to the health of anyone living in the house where this exists. And it becomes an exponentially more significant problem if the inhabitants are particularly vulnerable.

The issue may be resolved by addressing the airflow through the home and by checking how effective the double glazing on windows and doors might be, as well as verifying the existence of draughts. It might also be worth checking the effectiveness of the insulation, too, to ensure that the internal warmth is managed effectively.

Most building materials are porous to some extent, which means that extended exposure to water can cause a problem where it transfers from the outside of the property to the inside. The porous nature of the construction materials means that water is sucked through via capillary action.

The symptoms are usually very clear and show very quickly. Large damp patches appearing on walls, with paint and wallpaper peeling away if it is not resolved quickly is the most obvious. The dampness will eventually leave dark brown stains that, if left unattended, would be a good breeding ground for mould spores as well as potentially damaging the building material. 

What is worse from a personal standpoint is that the dampness will also transfer to any other that is against the wall or hung up on it - from furniture and carpets to pictures and photographs, which means that those personal irreplaceable items are damaged beyond repair.

One of the causes of these problems is sustained heavy rain lashing against the brickwork. Additionally, the rainwater management system (gutters, downpipes, hoppers, etc.) may be overwhelmed - especially if they are clogged with leaf and moss detritus - and the water runs liberally down the face of the wall.

External symptoms include a slight discoloration of the wall, spalling brickwork and moss growing on the walls, especially on or near the point that the rain management system is failing. With leaves and moss growing on the tiles, it is always worth checking for blockages on gutters and in the downpipes (if it is safe for you to do so, of course).

There are solutions and remedies for prevention and resolution of these problems but, without an expert assessment of the building and its structure, you won't necessarily know whether you will experience such issues in the future or not.

For your peace of mind, it's worth organising a suitable survey to get expert analysis from an experienced and qualified chartered surveyor to identify all the likely issues that need to be remedied. The report you will receive, depending on the type of survey, will highlight the issues with suggested remedies and an idea of cost.

Are you thinking of buying a new home that is exhibiting some of these symptoms? Or perhaps you're worried about damp and the problems it can cause in your current property?

At Surveyor Local, we only work with chartered surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, ensuring the survey you get is always professionally delivered.

They will work hard to identify all kinds of problems, including the impact of plants like Japanese knotweed, and their possible causes, as well as providing guidance of possible remedial action.

Where a survey does reveal any issues with a property, the buyer is then armed with knowledge that can allow them either to renegotiate the price, have the seller carry out the repairs or pull out of the purchase altogether.

Call  to get your no-obligation survey quote started, or to discuss your concerns with the acquisition of your planned property.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Surveyor Local's easy-to-use quote generator.

We'll do the rest once you confirm your acceptance of the quote.