| | There are five types of dampness generally found in homes: | | | 1.Rising damp or "salt damp" in brick walls and masonry. | | | 2.Poor drainage. | | | 3.Falling damp. | | | 4.Horizontal penetrating dampness. | | | 5.Condensation dampness. | | | 1.RISING DAMP OR SALT DAMP: | | | CAUSES: | | | Brick and masonry absorb water so they must be sealed off, away from moisture and moisture-bearing substances like soil. If it does not occur, the water will rise in the walls causing dampness. | | | When the dampness evaporates it creates cold wet conditions in solid brick houses and leaves the corrosive salts behind which were dissolved in the water. | | | | TREATMENT: | | | The problem could have been cured by removing the shed simply allowing the wall to dry out followed by the treatment the outside surface with a coat of silicone to fill any capillaries. | | | | 2.POOR DRAINAGE : | | | CAUSE: | | | Built-up garden beds, sloping ground or falling damp could direct water under the house. This shows poor drainage. | | | TREATMENT: | | | Drain this away via agricultural drains sloping away from the house, bedded in loose aggregate. | | | 3.FALLING DAMP: | | | CAUSES: | | | Breakage and leakage from storm water pipes, roofs, gutters and downpipes. | | | Excessive dampness which is limited to localized patches in soils and the walls indicates this type of fault. | | | TREATMENT: | | | Minor problems can be patched with bituminous tape or similar. | | | If problems persist, contact a licensed plumber for major repairs. | | | 4. HORIZONTAL DAMPNESS: | | | CAUSES: | | | Elementary horizontal dampness occurs when badly porous brick walls receive direct rain. | | | Elementary horizontal damp is also caused by earth bridging damp-proof courses. | | | This type of dampness occurs due to obstructions of accumulating water on exterior walls. | | | TREATMENT: | | | Horizontal dampness is easily remedied by removing the bridge. | | | The wall can be sealed by the application of a waterproof coating. | | | Painting on silicone admixtures is simplest but will require re-painting every few years while bituminous paint or similar lasts longer. | | | | | | | 5.CONDENSATION DAMPNESS: | | | CAUSES: | | | Condensation in the home results from damp air. | | | It causes through still outside air or extreme temperature fluctuations inside the house. | | | In most cases, condensation will lead to mould growth and unhealthy living conditions. | | | TREATMENT: | | | Water vapour -producing fixtures like clothes-dryers, stoves and showers need to be ventilated. | | | | | | | |
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| | By Anonymous - On 12/1/2008 6:54:35 PM | | hi under my kids bedroom window is gone all black and i only painted it again,each morning the window leadge is soaked with water evev doe its not raining outside |
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