If your external walls in Dudley feel damp or clammy during cold weather but seem fine in warmer months, this often points to condensation forming on cold masonry, rather than water entering through the wall.
This type of winter-only damp is common in UK homes and is frequently misdiagnosed as penetrating or rising damp. In reality, it’s usually caused by temperature differences, dew point shift, and cold external walls becoming the coldest surface inside the room.
At Weather Wise Solutions — a family-run damp and ventilation specialist — we regularly inspect properties where damp appears only in winter and disappears again in spring.
🧊 Why Damp Appears Only in Cold Weather
1️⃣ Cold Masonry Lowers Surface Temperature
During winter, external walls cool significantly. When warm, moisture-laden indoor air meets these cold surfaces, condensation forms — even if the wall doesn’t look visibly wet.
2️⃣ Dew Point Shift
As indoor air cools near an external wall, it reaches its dew point more quickly. Moisture then condenses on or just beneath the surface, making walls feel damp to the touch.
3️⃣ Improved Glazing Shifts the Problem
Modern double glazing stays warmer than older windows, meaning moisture that once condensed on glass now forms on colder walls instead.
4️⃣ Reduced Winter Ventilation
In colder months, windows are opened less often. Moisture builds up indoors and has fewer escape routes, increasing condensation risk on cold walls.
5️⃣ Furniture and Airflow Restriction
Furniture placed against external walls restricts airflow, allowing cold surfaces to remain damp for longer periods.
🔍 How We Diagnose Winter-Only Damp in Dudley
Correct diagnosis is essential. Our inspections focus on temperature behaviour and moisture patterns, including:
-
Moisture mapping across affected walls
-
Identifying cold surfaces and thermal bridging
-
Assessing indoor humidity levels
-
Checking ventilation performance
-
Ruling out external defects such as rainwater ingress
This ensures condensation-related damp is not mistaken for structural moisture problems.
🛠️ How Winter-Only Damp Is Properly Resolved
Depending on findings, solutions may include:
✔ Improving Ventilation
Ensuring moisture is removed from the air before it can condense on cold walls.
✔ Raising Wall Surface Temperatures
Addressing insulation gaps or thermal bridging that cause walls to remain cold.
✔ Improving Air Circulation
Allowing warm air to reach external wall surfaces to reduce condensation.
✔ Managing Indoor Humidity
Balancing moisture generation with adequate airflow year-round.
Where materials or systems are required, we work with trusted suppliers including:
🔗 PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
🔗 Wykamol Group – https://wykamol.com/
All advice aligns with guidance from:
🔗 Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
🔗 Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
For independent reassurance, you can also view our profiles on:
🔗 TrustATrader – https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/weather-wise-solutions-limited-damp-surveyor-newcastle-under-lyme
🔗 Checkatrade – https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/weatherwisesolutionslimited
Damp that appears only in winter is rarely structural.
Understanding temperature and humidity behaviour prevents unnecessary work.
📍 Book a free survey:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact