Recognising the Signs of Rising Damp When Buying a New Home
When in the market for a new residence, it is prudent to ensure you carry out various inspections to make sure you are not investing your money in a dud. Older homes are particularly prone to showing signs of structural damage, which would translate into expensive repairs for you down the road. One of the common problems to be wary of would be rising damp. Rising damp occurs when the groundwater gradually starts to make its way up through the structure's porous building supplies. If this rising damp is left unchecked, it can lead to a host of problems ranging from mould to structural instability. If you are in the market for a new home, here are a few of the things to look out for that would help you recognise the presence of rising damp.
Decaying skirting boards
The first place to search for symptoms of rising damp would be the skirting boards as they are the closest to the round. Additionally, since skirting boards are made from timber, they are likely to absorb excess moisture much faster than other parts of the structure. If the rising damp is in its early stages, the skirting boards will probably show signs of swelling. However, if the rising damp has been left undeterred for a period, the skirting boards will probably have started succumbing to rot.
Signs of tide marks
Tidemarks are typically left behind once a structure has experienced flooding. Therefore, if you see these marks on your potential new home and it has not been exposed to any flood damage, chances are the tide marks stem from rising damp. Tidemarks will typically present themselves a few feet above the floorboards and tend to have a darker pigmentation than the colour of the walls. It would be essential to seek rising damp repairs so the professionals can determine how extensive the damage is to the interior walls and if the materials would require replacing.
Compromised wallpaper
An assumption some people may have is that wallpaper would camouflage the signs of rising damp. The truth of the matter is that wallpaper is one of the first elements of the home that would exhibit signs of rising damp, as the moisture compromises the adhesive that secures the wallpaper. Therefore, if the building has developed rising damp, you will notice the wallpaper has started to curl and pull away from the walls. You may also find that the wallpaper's colour has changed in the affected areas. It would be best to strip the wallpaper and carry out further investigations to determine the extent of the rising damp.