Why does my house feel damp when it rains?

Comfort is the key element in enjoying your home. A home should be a relaxing place to spend time with family and friends, but all too often, especially when it rains, the feeling of dampness can make your home uncomfortable. Unfortunately, some accommodations attract more dampness than others and if you find your walls damp when it rains, understanding why can help you rid your home of the problem. There are a number of reasons why your home feels damp when it rains.

Rising damp is the main cause of damp in your home. Walls of your home absorb rainwater from the outdoors and allow it to seep into the interior. This is caused by capillary action, and in most cases, the moisture barrier within your home’s structure and walls has failed. This moisture barrier, found in the roof and walls, allows dampness to enter the home. The solution is to have your home assessed by a contractor. They can often provide solutions to reinforce the barrier and eliminate the dampness penetrating the walls.

Neglecting to address the issue can cause mould, mildew, or even your complete foundation to begin to crumble. Repairing a foundation is much more expensive than fixing a moisture barrier in the roof or walls.

Rising damp comes from water seeping into the home due to a corrupted or failed damp barrier. However, another type of damp is simply due to neglect. Roof or wall damage can happen at any point due to natural or unnatural disasters. Holes in the roof and exterior wall may not be completely evident at first. Even when it rains, the home can absorb a substantial amount of water before it becomes evident to the owner. After a big storm or flooding event, have your property inspected to ensure there is no potential for penetrating damp to become a problem.

A damp proofing specialist can survey your property in the event damp becomes noticeable. Repairs for this type of damp issue can be very costly as it often involves the core structure of your home. It is essential that you have any problem repaired quickly to ensure further damage does not threaten to erode the integrity of your home.

Usually, a damp issue does not have anything to do with the structure of your home, but the area it is located in. Living close to a large body of water or a place where humidity levels rise with the heat can naturally cause your home to have damp problems. Even in a dry environment, certain areas of your home, such as the bathroom or kitchen, can hold moisture. Damp will be noticeable on furnishings, walls, windows, and mirrors in these rooms.

Steam from a hot shower settling on surfaces is the easiest way to explain condensation. Most homes have some level of condensation, but when the problem occurs too often or threatens a property with the potential for mould, a solution must be put in place.

Generally, it is common practice to employ a dehumidifier in areas that are prone to high humidity. The dehumidifier draws damp out of the air and into a containment tank. When the tank is full, it should be emptied to continue the process. Failing to combat condensation can result in mould spores invading your home.

Rain drastically lowers the outside temperature and the interior temperature has little time to adjust. Therefore, condensation can occur on windows throughout the home. Running a dehumidifier during the wet season will help reduce the risk for mould spores from growing.

Washing clothes, dishes, and general water related activity around the home can increase condensation, so it is best to do these tasks when it is not raining or humidity levels are at their lowest. If you regularly experience damp in your home, seek help. Whether you lease your home or own it, damp inside can cause serious issues for both your home and the health of your family.

Damp can happen in any home, but if you lease a home, and damp issues continue to be a problem, your landlord should take action. Even if you own your home, if building regulations were not adhered to and the moisture barrier fails, you could be entitled to compensation. Let Silver Oak Solicitors help you get what you are owed for the repair of your property. Your family and home are too important to allow damp and improper building procedures to win. Contact Silver Oak Solicitors today at 020 8578 778 or email us at contact@silveroaksolicitors.com.