The problem of rising damp is quite common in most of the buildings. It refers to the problem of water rising through the bricks, mortar and stonework of the buildings which then start rising up the walls and may even reach up to ceiling. Due to rising damp, the walls, flooring and ceiling of any building get laden with moisture content. As a result, these structures become more prone to suffer from damage and destruction. The problem of rising damp arises due to increase in the level of ground water. Most common reasons for this increase is construction of additional pathways surrounding any building or lack of proper measures for damp proofing.
Whatever the cause may be, rising damp is quite harmful for any building as it leads to weakening of the foundation and other structures of the building. It may even damage the assets of the property which are kept aside the walls or the wooden work due to moisture content increasing therein. In order keep your property safe against all these damages, it is quite important to identify rising damp at your place and have appropriate rising damp treatment for the same. Let us now have a look at some of the points or things that help in identifying rising damp at any place.
Dampness or wetness of the building structures- In case you find some or even all of the structures of your building such as walls, flooring and ceilings excessively damp or wet then it is surely a sign of rising damp. It is because water rising through the bricks, mortar or other materials of the concerned structures starts spreading to the entire property and hence makes them excessively wet or damp.
Presence of white coloured powder on the walls– In most of the cases of rising damp, you will find white coloured powder on the walls, roofs or even flooring. This white coloured powder is in-fact the soluble salts present in the ground water. These salts also travel along with rising damp and get deposited on the structures in the form of white powder. Presence of such powders definitely indicates towards rising damp.
Growth of mildew and mould at your place– It is an obvious and proven fact that mildew and mould grow only in damp places. If you are able to find such growths inside your property even in the absence of soil or water outlets then it is sure that the concerned part of your property is suffering from the problem of rising damp. It is because the moisture content available through the water rising via the walls gives rise to mould and mildew.
Discoloration of the materials of the building work- It is another most common and great sign of rising damp. Presence of dampness as a result of rising damp leads to discoloration of the materials of the walls and ceilings.
Taking into consideration all these points, you may identify the presence of rising damp at your place.