What does it mean when your home feels damp?
Signs of dampness may be difficult to spot at first, but once you know what to look for, it’s impossible to ignore them.
The first and most obvious is condensation collecting on the windowpanes. While occasional condensation can be normal and harmless, when it is a regular occurrence, you need to take things seriously.
Typically, there are other signs too, such as peeling wallpaper or paint in areas with the highest humidity level, or even significantly colder patches on walls. Besides, you may also notice musty smells, even if you don’t see any mould patches. These tend to signal high humidity problems in the property.
Why does it matter? Sometimes, your home may feel a little damp, especially when the weather is rainy. Ultimately, air humidity travels, so you can expect some changes in air pressure and perceived temperatures indoors. But long-lasting high moisture levels can damage your walls, flooring, insulation, and deeper house structure. So, you don’t want to ignore humidity issues for too long.
The key to addressing them is to understand what causes them.
Lack of Ventilation
Poor ventilation is by far the most common cause of humidity in the house. Everyday household activities can release a lot of moisture into the air, from boiling the kettle to taking a shower. If the moisture can’t escape safely, aka if there is no clear ventilation path, it lingers in the air and settles on surfaces like walls and windows.
The rooms that are most at risk are the kitchen and the bathroom.
Fortunately, the solution is generally straightforward. Installing quality extractor fans to use during cooking or showering can dramatically reduce humidity levels. You can also help by opening windows to circulate fresh air regularly.
Hidden Plumbing Leaks
You may think that no leak goes unnoticed, but in reality, British households are often home to invisible leaks that seep through the walls, ceilings, and floors before they get spotted.
Why does it happen? A leak underneath the shower tray or the toilet is likely to be hidden from sight when you are in the bathroom. Similarly, leaks inside wall cavities don’t receive any attention until the signs become visible on the outside of the wall.
First signs may be wet patches or stains. You may even see mould growth. But identifying the exact location of the leak isn’t easy. That’s why you want to work with experts, such as someone like Bluefrog Plumbing with years of experience finding and fixing plumbing leaks.
Water Infiltration
The roof is a major source of water infiltration, especially because roof damage may not always be visible from the ground. Yet, it doesn’t take much more than broken tiles or worn roofing materials to allow rainwater in. What’s more worrying is that something the water can collect in the roof insulation or the loft space before gradually spreading into the ceiling and walls. In other words, you may not notice it immediately.
That’s why it can be helpful to schedule regular roof inspections, even if you suspect your roof is in perfect condition. A roof inspection costs typically around £200-£250 and can save you a lot of hassle down the line.
In conclusion, high humidity levels can be a sign that water finds its way inside your home. It’s important to know how to identify the cause behind it, so you can get it fixed before it leads to structural damage.
