TestenGOLD- Free

DIY SOLUTION: RISING DAMP

The Home Handyman|March/April 2023
You've noticed the unsightly bubbling, flaking and peeling of your house walls. You've painted, repainted and painted some more - but it just keeps on coming back! What could the problem be? You, happy DIYer, are a victim of rising damp.
DIY SOLUTION: RISING DAMP

What is rising damp, and what causes it?
Rising damp is a form of damp that affects the walls of a building when moisture from the ground (or a leaky pipe) travels up through the wall. In a nutshell, your home's walls basically suck up water like a thirsty builder on a summer's day.

What causes it?
The main cause of rising damp is a faulty Damp Proof Course (DPC), which allows moisture to penetrate your home's walls.

Other causes include:

  • Inadequate sub-floor ventilation: This causes a buildup of humidity and means that only the minimal evaporation from the soil and base walls occurs.
  • Sub-floor obstructions: Any debris in the sub-floor that obstructs the flow of ventilation and may help contribute to dampness by bridging the DPC.
  • Poor drainage and/or damaged guttering and pipes: Water may be directed underneath your house if you have poor drainage.

What are the signs of rising damp?
Commonly the first thing you'd find is a patch of wall with a band of dampness starting from the floor upwards - this often causes the paint to flake or the wallpaper to peel. Other unsightly and smelly signs include: 

  • Damp smells and a musty odour
  • A reduced temperature at lower portions of your wall
  • Rotting of embedded floor timbers
  • Crumbling / blistered plaster due to salt crystallisation

Getting down to fixing it
Each case of rising damp varies from another, it's best to visit your nearest hardware store with photos of your problem so our consultants can help you with the perfect solution. To give you an idea how to fix the simplest case - bubbling paint without needing to chisel any plaster away.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March/April 2023-Ausgabe von The Home Handyman.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March/April 2023-Ausgabe von The Home Handyman.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE HOME HANDYMANAlle anzeigen
WINTER WARMTH
The Home Handyman

WINTER WARMTH

Insulation and energy- saving tips: Stay cosy while reducing energy costs.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
TURNING SCRAP INTO ART
The Home Handyman

TURNING SCRAP INTO ART

Discover how to make a twisted segmented bowl.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
PIN IT, POST IT, PLAN IT
The Home Handyman

PIN IT, POST IT, PLAN IT

My son wanted a bulletin board to help organise his room, but I couldn't bring myself to buy a cheap, generic one from the shop.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
UNDERFOOT PERFECTION
The Home Handyman

UNDERFOOT PERFECTION

Flooring is one of the most important parts of any home improvement project, yet it’s often overlooked when people consider DIY renovations.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
May/June 2025
Local design stars shine in Manchester
The Home Handyman

Local design stars shine in Manchester

Pieces by top South African designers, part of the Nando's Hot Young Designer (HYD) programme, were recently showcased in Manchester, UK, at the Nando's UK Indaba - a knowledge-sharing event for the group.

time-read
1 min  |
May/June 2025
THE DAILY GRIND
The Home Handyman

THE DAILY GRIND

Learn how to achieve smooth finishes with the right abrasives.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
PLUMBING BASICS
The Home Handyman

PLUMBING BASICS

Learn how to fix common plumbing issues like leaks, clogs, and pressure problems.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
TOP PRIORITY
The Home Handyman

TOP PRIORITY

Maintaining your home's first line of defence - Inspecting and repairing roofing issues.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May/June 2025
Southern Africa's top timber trade expo set for June
The Home Handyman

Southern Africa's top timber trade expo set for June

Southern Africa's leading timber trade exhibition, WoodEX for Africa, returns to the Gallagher Convention Centre from 18-20 June 2025 with an even bigger offering for the wood and woodworking machinery industry.

time-read
1 min  |
May/June 2025
SHADING IT
The Home Handyman

SHADING IT

Turn your outdoor space into a relaxing retreat with this sturdy and stylish pergola, made from easily available timber and built using simple tools – perfect for any DIY enthusiast!

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May/June 2025

Wir verwenden Cookies, um unsere Dienste bereitzustellen und zu verbessern. Durch die Nutzung unserer Website stimmen Sie zu, dass die Cookies gesetzt werden. Learn more