Rising damp is often blamed when moisture appears in a property, but the true cause may be condensation, poor maintenance, leaking gutters, raised ground levels or failed seals around windows.
In this section from Episode 1 of The Healthy House Podcast, the speakers explain how capillary action works and why genuine rising damp is less common than many homeowners are led to believe. Condensation is responsible for a significant proportion of damp problems, making effective ventilation and moisture management essential.
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Highlights
They also explore how bridged damp-proof courses, damaged pointing, blocked air bricks and faulty rainwater goods can allow moisture into a building. Damp at the bottom of a chimney breast may even be caused by salt contamination from years of burning fossil fuels rather than a leaking roof.
A reliable damp diagnosis should begin with a full inspection of the property, including its exterior. Applying masonry creams, coatings or other treatments without fixing the original defect is unlikely to provide a lasting solution.
This clip is taken from Episode 1: Damp Explained: What Every Homeowner Should Know - EP1 Paul Hughes PAM Ties.
