Symptoms and Health Effects of Structural Damp
– Growth of fungi in wood, causing rot or mold health issues
– Deterioration of plaster, paint, and loosening of wallpaper
– Stains on surfaces from water, salts, and mold
– High airborne mold concentrations in severely affected buildings
– Infections, allergenic or immunological illness, and nonallergic illness associated with mold exposure
– Triggering of asthma due to dust mite sensitization in damp regions
– Presence of bacteria in indoor environments can cause disease
– Water removal within 2 days prevents mold and bacteria growth, reducing vulnerability to disease
– Exposure to microbial contaminants can lead to respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma, and immunological reactions
Statutory Requirements (UK)
– Building Regulations: resistance to rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation; prevention of moisture passage from the ground and precipitation penetration; unaffected structural and thermal performance by condensation or mold growth
– Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act: private landlords in England and Wales must ensure rented houses are free from damp
Identification and Diagnosis of Structural Damp
– Various instruments and techniques for moisture investigations
– Importance of competence and experience of the investigator for accurate diagnosis
– Risk of misdiagnosis of condensation as another form of dampness
– Recommendation of specialist damp and timber surveyors by chartered building surveyors
– Experienced surveyors can pinpoint the cause of damp, such as leaking gutters
Prevention and Treatment of Structural Damp
– Inclusion of synthetic damp-proof courses in well-built modern houses
– Use of low porosity materials above ground level to minimize dampness
– Treatment selection depending on accurate diagnosis of damp types
– Elimination of the cause, better drainage, and fixing leaks as crucial steps
– Methods for treating rising damp include land-drains and physical/chemical DPCs
Control and Impact of Indoor Humidity
– Sources of water vapor in buildings: supply air ducts, warm forced air, leaky return air ducts, human occupancy, cooking, and showering
– Effects of humidity on structural dampness: increased humidity, direct impact of cooking and showering, occupants’ activities, aquariums and indoor swimming pools, and effects on structural components
– Importance of controlling indoor humidity: structural damage, mold and mildew growth, adverse effects on indoor air quality, negative impact on occupants’ health, and potential damage to furniture and belongings
– Preventive measures for controlling dampness: regular maintenance of air ducts, use of dehumidifiers, proper ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms, installation of moisture barriers in crawlspaces, and monitoring and controlling indoor humidity levels
– Impact of dampness on energy efficiency: increased energy consumption, effectiveness of insulation affected by dampness, reduced HVAC system efficiency due to moisture-related issues, increased heating and cooling costs, and importance of addressing structural dampness for energy savings Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damp_(structural)
Structural dampness is the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building, either the result of intrusion from outside or condensation from within the structure. A high proportion of damp problems in buildings are caused by ambient climate dependent factors of condensation and rain penetration. Capillary penetration of fluid from the ground up through concrete or masonry is known as "rising damp" and is governed by the shape and porosity of the construction materials through which this evaporation-limited capillary penetration takes place. Structural damp, regardless of the mechanisms through which it takes place, is exacerbated by higher levels of humidity.
Dampness control is fundamental to the proper functioning of any building. Controlling moisture is important to protect occupants from adverse health effects and to protect the building, its mechanical systems and its contents from physical or chemical damage.
