Though often an easy problem to sweep under the rug, or hide behind large furniture, damp in your home is a serious problem. It is crucial that you ensure your property is protected by a suitable damp proofing course to stop unwanted groundwater creeping into your home and creating dangerous problems for those inside.
No matter how the excess moisture got there, damp in your home can result in the growth of dangerous mould. This mould harbours toxic spores that, when released into the air, can be breathed in by anyone in the property.
When inhaled, mould can have serious consequences to your health and has been known to cause inflamed airways, nasal congestion, wheezing, chest constriction, coughing and a sore throat, among other more serious symptoms. Prolonged exposure can lead to, or worsen, more chronic conditions such as asthma and pneumonia.
Without sufficient damp proofing, you leave the timbers of your home exposed to dry rot, wet rot and woodworm infestations. This is a particular problem in older homes which tend to be constructed with more wood than their modern counterparts.
Wet and dry rot cause the timber to break down and become soft and spongy which, over time, weakens the wood so much that eventually it will crumble and collapse. Damp timber is also the perfect breeding ground for woodworm, insects that can bore holes in your timbers, weakening them.
Trying to sell a house with damp and mould problems can be very difficult. Without a proper damp survey, it is difficult for potential buyers to know the extent of the problem and how much a damp proofing course will cost to fix it.
This usually leads to them either asking for a large discount on the asking price or be put off altogether. It is also a legal requirement to declare any damp problems so it’s certainly worth ensuring that you repair your faulty damp proof course before you try to sell.
If you are worried about damp problems in your home, don’t wait to get it sorted. Contact the damp proofing experts at Croft Preservation straight away on 01202 737739 and our experienced team will be happy to help.
