The best way to deal with damp is to catch it early. Keep an eye on the corners of your rooms and in any area where there may have been a leak. Once you've treated the cause of the damp, refurbish any damage with some new plaster and a fresh coat of paint.

Damp is a major issue that just about every home is at risk of. It can have a devastating effect on the structure of the home, as well as trigger respiratory infections, allergies and asthma. This is why it’s incredibly important to try to eliminate the problem or better yet prevent it from forming in the first place.

The good news? There are several steps you can take to avoid damp in your home. Most of which are simple and straightforward. But of course, none of this matters if the cost of repair is too high.

So, how can you treat damp across your home at a reasonable and cost-effective price? We’ve gathered some of the best tips down below, looking at some of the most common rooms in which you’ll find damp and how to get rid of it quickly, easily, and inexpensively.  

• Why is Damp Dangerous?
• What Causes Damp?
• How Do I Know I Have Damp?
• How Do I Remove or Avoid Damp?

How Does Damp Hurt Me?

Damp can prove extremely damaging to both home and health. It can make the room in which it forms a much more adaptable place for diseases to grow and spread whilst also making the air will be more damaging to your lungs. For those with weakened immune systems, this can greatly increase your chances of developing an infection. Particularly among children, the elderly and animals. 

Having just come through a very cold and very expensive winter, there is a chance that trying to save on heating may have let damp get a foothold in your home. As heat starts to creep in now, the atmosphere inside may become more humid, further increasing harm to health and making it all the more difficult to shake any cough or cold you’ve picked up in the last few weeks.

How Does Damp Hurt My Home?

Beyond its harmful effects on the body, damp does a great deal of damage to your property as well. Not least of which is the damage it can cause to circuits and wires. A costly problem to fix and one which can prove even more dangerous that the damp itself.  

Damp can also cause cracks in the walls and ceilings of your home, weakening them considerably. It can make cleaning much more difficult, especially so when the damp is left to grow mould which can quickly spread opening up even more potential health risks.

Damp can be caused by a range of factors, though condensation and leaks tend to be the two main culprits. The former often being the easier problem to fix, though not in every case.

Usually, if you notice damp towards the upper edges and/or corners of the room, then the problem is a leak. On the other hand, if the issue is occurring all around your room rather than in one specific place, it is probably a condensation issue.

There is also the chance that you could be facing a large leak, though the signs of this would very likely have been noticed beforehand.  

Knowing what specifically is causing the problem is important when it comes to removing it, as you will need to tackle the problem itself as well. Unfortunately, a leak will likely be more expensive to solve than a condensation issue, and you may also need to get an expert to assess the situation before you can solve it.

Penetrating Damp vs Rising Damp

Damp can be categorised into two groups. Penetrating damp is the first, which starts outside your building and works its way in. Typically, this is caused by a lack of protective measures – be it insulation or damage to your walls.

Rising damp, on the other hand, starts at ground level. It’s typically rarer these days thank most buildings having a DPC (damp proof course) but can still happen in adjoining structures if moisture is introduced above this protective layer.  

In most cases, rising damp will need to be treated by resolving the initial source of the leak and then replastering your internal walls.

Damp can be difficult to spot in the early stages, but it is key that you catch it here before it can get worse. Look for dark patches in your paintwork and ceiling. If you have wallpaper, run your hand over it, checking for any blotches, bubbling or peeling.

Some damp spots that have been given time to grow will get darker and may also start producing mould growth. Cracks in paintwork and even the walls and ceilings themselves can form. Remember, the likelihood of this occurring is increased considerably if you are dealing with a leak.

Below we have broken down some of the best methods of damp treatment. In most cases these can be done by yourself, however, keep in mind that if the problem is allowed to fester professional help may be the only choice left to you.

Walls and Ceilings

Walls and ceilings are common places to spot damp. The interior of the outer walls of your home are particularly vulnerable if your home is not well heated or ventilated.

One fairly cost-effective solution to sorting condensation occurrence on your walls and ceilings is to fit air bricks. These are specialised bricks designed with small holes. They are fitted into exterior walls, allowing air to effectively pass under a suspended timber floor.  

While they used to be mainly built from clay, they are now predominantly made from plastic, which is less prone to cracking with age. They also generally allow for better airflow and – importantly – they are less expensive.

Bathrooms

Like kitchens, bathrooms are prone to serious condensation issues. The effects of this are more obvious and destructive if your walls are not tiles, as both paint and wallpaper are very vulnerable to moisture damage.  

Having a long, hot bath or shower and not leaving a window open (or fan on) to allow the steam to escape is one of the biggest factors behind bathroom condensation problems. Second is leaving your door wide open to allow the moist air to escape elsewhere in your home. 

One of the best long-term investments you can make when it comes to bathrooms is an extractor fan. Most bathrooms have them, and they can be relatively inexpensive to maintain so long as they are cleaned of dust on a regular basis. A fan is absolutely vital if you don’t have a window in the bathroom whatsoever.

Insulation

Adding or improving your insulation is a great way to combat various types of damp by keeping the surfaces of your home warmer and less hospitable to moisture.

This being the case, it is vital that you keep it away from direct contact with water. This can damage the insulation to the point of rendering it useless.

Cavity wall and loft insulation are especially great to combat damp, so be sure to check whether or not your house already possesses this kind of insulation and if not, add some. If it is already present, start to think of areas around the home that may benefit from a wall being converted to a cavity wall.

Keep in mind, however, this is an extreme solution and will require professional help not to mention a good budget.

Older doors and windows may also lack the necessary insulation or to help them effectively to combat damp. That or the seals may have become damaged to the point that they start leaking air. Either way it’s a good idea to get into the habit of inspecting your windows to spot problems that may require the seals to be repaired or the windows replaced entirely.

And there you have it – some of the best ways to solve damp-related problems without stretching the budget too much. It is always difficult to determine exactly what is causing damp in your home, but if you’re lucky enough to have solved the mystery, then hopefully these fixes will help you to eliminate any damp you’re getting in your home.

As mentioned above, if these solutions don’t work for you, it may be time to call in an expert. This may not be the cheapest option, but in the long run, it may well be the less expensive alternative should the damp get worse. A damp specialist should be able to diagnose the problem and provide a quote for a fix.