Damp walls. The problem and handy tips on how to solve it.

Over the years I have got more and more into property maintenance and have even worked professionally in the field.

One of the problems I most find in properties, especially country properties, is rising damp. I have noticed that people seldom know that the moisture is actually rising, and usually believe that it is coming from the ceilings or pipes.

First, a quick definition of what rising damp is. Rising damp is the vertical upward flow of moisture through walls. People usually think that moisture, or water, always tend to go down due to gravity.

It isn’t always like that, think for a moment how a sponge works. Spill water on a table and put a sponge on top of it, the sponge will eventually soak up all the water and if the sponge is thing enough we will feel the moisture on the top of the sponge. As we can see water has travelled up, not down.

This is actually called the capillary motion. A scientific explanation is readily available through any proper encyclopaedia or school book.

So, basically what is happening is that we have moisture on the floor and our walls are acting as a sponge. The problem is that sometimes it can go so high and cover the whole wall and part of the ceiling that it is not that easy to diagnose.

The way I do it is very simply scrape the wall, if you get more paint or plaster peeling off the wall in the lower part than in the higher part then you can feel pretty sure it is not a pipe problem you have, nor a leak.

Also look for mould, salts or, if it is brick, that the actual brick is wet.

Once you have it, it is not easy to get rid of. If you like D.I.Y. then here goes; if not then my advice is you get a professional to do it for you.

First you have to strip all the paint, wallpaper or plaster until you actually see the building material, usually it is brick where I live (Costa Blanca in Spain).

Then you have to drill holes in the actual brick. They don’t have to be too big just big enough for a nozzle to go through.

Go to your D.I.Y shop and buy a special silicone that is used precisely to solve the moisture problem inside the walls. I have found they are all as good so I won’t say any brands. Also buy a moisture repellent additive for cement.

Now really fill in the brick with the silicone making sure no more silicone compound actually fits inside the bricks, try to avoid air pockets if possible.

Now you have to redo the wall again, so use sand, cement and add the moisture repellent to the mix.

And you will now have your wall treated for rising damp for years to come. Also make sure there are no exterior puddles or the like next to the wall. You have to get rid of those and make sure they won’t form in the future before actually doing all the work.

Very Important note: If when you try to drill holes into the brick it is so moist it falls apart you could have a structural problem caused by the rising damp. In that case contact a professional immediately for your own safety.

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