How to Get Rid of Damp on Walls

From the health implications to structural concerns and basic aesthetics, there are plenty of reasons why you’d want to get rid of damp on walls. The question is – how should you do it?

In truth, it depends on what’s caused the damp – which falls into four main categories, as this post explores…

How to get rid of…

Rising damp on walls

Rising damp occurs when moisture from the ground is absorbed by masonry. Small capillaries (tubes) in the building materials cause moisture to rise upwards, which leads to damp from the ground up on your walls.

To get rid of rising damp on walls, you’ll need to have a damp proof course installed or repair your existing damp proof course. This is done by injecting a damp-proofing solution into the wall which stops moisture in its tracks.

Penetrating damp on walls

As the name suggests, penetrating damp is the result of water penetrating your external walls. That could be down to wind-driven rain on porous bricks, damage to your walls or inadequate pointing on your brickwork.

Getting rid of penetrating damp is simply a case of identifying and eliminating the root cause. Remember that the source of the water ingress isn’t always to blame. A leaking gutter could be wearing down your pointing, for example, so you’d need to fix that before repointing the walls.

Damp on walls from leaks

Another source of damp on walls is a leak. In fact, it could actually be another instance of penetrating damp if it’s a leak from your roof. Alternatively, it could also be a leaking appliance or pipe within your home.

Whatever the case, the first step to getting rid of the damp is to get your roof, appliance or pipework repaired. You’ll then need to clean and dry out the affected area before sanding down, applying a stain-blocking primer, and finally painting.

Damp on walls from condensation

Damp from condensation is arguably the trickiest type to get rid of. That’s because the source of the moisture is activity inside your home. From cooking, washing up and drying clothes to showering, bathing and even breathing, moisture is an unavoidable by-product of day-to-day life.

Some homes are adequately ventilated to deal with it, others simply aren’t. Using extractor fans and opening windows can go some way to reducing the issue, though the latter does take its toll on your home’s temperature.

That brings us to the next issue – cold walls. These will naturally attract moisture, allowing condensation to gather on them, which eventually causes damp. If you’re wondering how to get rid of damp on walls caused by condensation, (having already ticked off ventilation and heating) the best option is to protect the wall itself.

CorkSol’s internal wall coating adds a damp-proof layer to your walls that stops condensation gathering on them. It’s thermally insulative, so it keeps walls warmer and stops heat passing through as easily. Because it can be skimmed over for a smooth finish, the result is practically invisible.

Get rid of damp on your walls

If your property is blighted by condensation and damp on the walls, CorkSol can help you get rid of it. Along with our innovative SprayCork coating, we have a National Network of Approved Applicators who are fully trained to achieve the best results using our products.

All that’s left to do is to find your nearest applicator and get a quote. Call us on 01484 442420 or email [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.