Avoiding damage from damp

Problems with damp can severely impact the value of a property, affecting structural integrity and causing long term damage. When it comes to property maintenance prevention is always better than cure, so we’ve put together our advice on how to identify and rectify damp problems.

How to identify damp
Damp is the moisture and presence of water where it shouldn’t be. It will usually be found inside walls or rising from the floor. Whether it appears rapidly after flash flooding, or builds up slowly over many years it can be hard to spot. Here are a few signs a property has a damp problem:

• Damp or musty smell
• Mould, mildew, stains or dark patches on walls
• Excessive condensation on windows
• Cold feeling walls, ceilings and floors
• Blistering and peeling wallpaper or paint
• Decay of timber
• Rusting of nails or screws in skirting boards
• Salt stains or crumbling mortar on outside walls

Causes of damp

Tenants
Simple acts such as drying wet clothes on a radiator can cause excess moisture. As a landlord or property management company it is essential that you communicate with your tenants about what should be avoided, and consider regular property inspections to enforce this.

Plumbing
Corroded water pipes, failing waste pipes or damaged seals around baths and showers can cause leaks. Although these may be small they can quickly develop into a problem if left undealt with.

Roofing, gutters and down pipes
Missing or broken roof tiles can cause serious damage if not repaired or replaced promptly. Clogged or damaged gutters can leak due to overspill, and downpipes are often prone to blockages which spring leaks.  All of which are factors that can build up to cause damp.

How can GMC Help?
We know a thing or two about treating damp. Our specialist contractors are able to examine your property and provide a detailed damp and timber report with recommendations. We ensure you get the right solution for your property, preventing the wrong type of treatment and ensuring the underlying issue is dealt with. Naturally, GMC are also able to provide any decorating services you need to get a property back to its best.