Wall Dampness: Effective Solutions to Prevent Damp Walls At Home

1. Mouldy and Musty Environment

   

When wall dampness seeps in, your home starts looking dull and there’s a mouldy and musty environment that envelopes the space. Mould and fungus infestations can create a home in your walls and can cause further damage to your home’s structure.

2. Decay



Low quality bricks, cement and other construction material can fall prey to decay that is the result of wall dampness. It can further lead to the decay spreading through wallpaper, flooring and immovable furniture.

3. Rot

   

   Wood, plasterboards, bricks and panels can rot away if wall dampness enters your home. Rot is the result of fungus and moss growing in your walls due to moisture that can spread to timber-based furniture and other elements.

4. Damage to Aesthetics

   Well, wall dampness does not look aesthetically pleasing. Peeling paint, water blots on walls, dark spots and rotten infestations are unappealing and signs of an unhealthy home interior.

5. Overall Building Damage and Leakages

   

   We underestimate the impact of wall dampness. Wall dampness can turn into a giant when it leads to larger building damages, roof leakages and overall structural damage.

1. Water Seepage

   

   Rainwater can be one way water seeps into homes leading to seepage and moisture. Water seepage is also a direct result of undetected roof leakages or leaking pipes in the walls. Homes with sloping roofs and no gutters can also collect water that leads to seepages and cracks in walls.

2. Condensation

   

   In monsoons, condensation is a given. Warm moisture in the air comes in contact with colder surfaces like walls and floors leading to the air not containing the moisture and transforming it into small droplets that are visible on walls. Some other causes of condensation are poor ventilation and cold surfaces as well.

3. Moisture from the Ground

   Moisture from the ground can rise to the home walls and create dampness in homes that are not moisture-proof, especially older homes. Moisture seeps into the foundation of the home from the soil beneath it causing wall dampness.

4. Poor Ventilation

   

   When your home is closed off and has a poor ventilation system, even the smallest of things like washing and drying clothes, bathrooms and cooking can cause dampness indoors.

5. Low Quality Construction Materials

   Did you know that porous bricks and other low quality construction materials can cause dampness and other wall issues? Sometimes even due to poor quality work by workers, cavities, cracks and holes in the walls can house moisture and lead to dampness in walls.

6. Leakage

   

   Broken pipes, leaking rain water pipes, leaking roofs and bathrooms can lead to wall dampness. Poor plumbing lines can also lead to leakage in walls. A sloping roof can also lead to water entering your home from the exterior leading to wall dampness.

1. Inspect your Home Regularly

   

   Keep a watchful eye at all times to spot cracks, seepages and leaks as early signs of wall dampness. Testing the moisture levels in your house also keeps you aware during monsoons. Keep a tab on all pipes, roofs and bathrooms.

2. Repair any Leaks

   

   Leaks are painful and can be caused by broken pipes, roof leakages, faulty plumbing and roofs. It is important to fix and repair broken and leaky pipes in your building or home. It is important to keep an eye on false ceilings as well.

3. Seal Cracks in your Walls

   

   Over time, cracks may appear in your walls and it is vital to seal those cracks with water-proof sealants. Wall cracks are usually visible around windows and corners. The best way to repair these cracks is by filling it with putty and repainting walls, especially before monsoon arrives. Unsealed cracks are a warning sign.

4. Ventilate your Home Properly

   

   Good ventilation shows moisture the door, always. Poor ventilation allows moisture and dampness to be trapped within your four walls. Open your windows to welcome cross ventilation and keep your home as airy as possible.

5. Use a Dehumidifier and Exhaust Fans

   

   A small way to keep moisture out of your home is to use a dehumidifier for better air quality. An exhaust fan also takes out all the dampness after cooking and drying clothes. A chimney also allows you to suck the air out of the kitchen.

6. Apply a Damp-proofing Treatment

   

   There are many parts of a damp proofing treatment. Apply a water-proof coating to your external walls and internal walls. After taking care of cracks and seepages, apply waterproof tiles to avoid moisture rising from the ground. Another way to stop water from entering your floors from the soil is to install a damp-proof course. Professionals can help you with a holistic waterproofing solution for your home after identifying the cause.

Tips to Prevent Wall Dampness

There are a few handy tips to prevent wall dampness in your home.

• Use water-proof sealants, paints and membranes to protect your home.
• Use tools like exhaust fans, dehumidifiers and a chimney to tackle moisture formation and dampness
• Great ventilation helps keep moisture out of your home.
• Monsoon safety like repairing cracks, leakages and redoing wall construction helps avoid moisture and leakages.
• Replace old leaky pipes with new fixtures.
• Install an overall waterproofing solution.

Wall dampness is a red flag for your home’s interior health. The moment you detect dampness, cracking of walls or moulds, you must begin to treat it with an effective wall dampness solution. If you’re lucky enough to not have endured any of the problems, prevention is your next course of action. If you want to read more about leakages, waterproofing solutions and dampness, here are a few reads:

• Find The Perfect Waterproofing Solution for Your Basement
• 5 Common Signs of Water Leakage in Your Home: How to Detect Them Early
• How to Prevent and Repair water leakage in walls?
• Don't Let Rain Ruin Your Home: Top Roof Leakage Solutions