Damp is a common issue for homeowners, especially those with older homes or period properties. Whether you’re dealing with a converted basement, suspended wooden floors, or timber roof beams, damp can threaten your property’s structural integrity, your financial investment, and create an unhealthy living environment. The question is, should you tackle damp proofing as a DIY project or call in the professionals?
This blog should help you figure out what you can manage yourself, and when it’s best to call in the pros.
When you can DIY
Tackling damp proofing yourself can be a cost-effective option, particularly for minor damp problems and preventive measures. Let’s look at the common damp problems and weigh up your options:
- Condensation problems
If you notice signs of condensation, such as water droplets on windows, black mould in the corners of window sills or walls, or a musty smell, it’s often a surface-level issue rather than structural damp.
Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets a cold surface and addressing it can often be straightforward. Preventing condensation can be as simple as installing a dehumidifier, improving ventilation with airbricks or extractor fans, and drying laundry outdoors when possible. However, if the problem is more serious or reoccurs, then professional installation of a product called Iso-Therm may be required to raise the internal wall temperature.
- Minor damp patches
Small, localised patches of damp, especially those above ground level, can sometimes be handled with DIY products. For example, you may need to replace damaged rainwater goods which are creating water ingress, repoint damaged external walls or replace old and depleted window or door frames. It’s always worth looking for the cause of the problem yourself, but if it continues after taking your own measures, call a professional as soon as possible.
- Regular maintenance
Preventive maintenance, such as clearing gutters, checking downpipes, ensuring proper drainage around your property, and making sure your airbricks are not obscured can often eliminate the causes of damp before it becomes a serious issue. Regularly inspecting window frames or repairing minor cracks in walls can also help.
DIY solutions work best for non-structural issues and should only be attempted if you’re confident in diagnosing the problem correctly. Misdiagnosing the cause and type of damp can lead to wasted time and money or even exacerbate the issue.
When to call in the damp proofing experts
Some damp problems require the diagnosis and expertise of trained professionals, particularly when they involve structural damage or pose a risk to health.
- Rising damp in older properties
Rising damp is a serious problem when period homes have no damp-proof course (DPC) or when the property’s existing DPC is bridged somehow. Symptoms include tide marks on walls, peeling wallpaper, flaking paint, or crumbling plaster. This is a case of installing a chemical DPC or removing the cause of the bridged DPC and/or removing and replacing the damp floor and wall materials.
Rising damp commonly leaves deposits of hygroscopic salts in the structures, which need to be removed in entirety or they will continue to attract moisture from the atmosphere, perpetuating the dampness in the room, even when the original cause of rising damp has been eliminated.
- Damp in converted basements
Basements are highly susceptible to damp due to their below-ground position. If you’re looking to convert or dealing with persistent damp in an already converted basement, it’s crucial to consult a specialist. Professionals can assess whether basement tanking (applying a waterproof barrier to the walls and floor) or installing a sump pump and drainage system is required.
- Suspended wooden floors
Damp in areas with timber, such as suspended wooden floors, can lead to wet or dry rot and compromise the structural safety of your home. Wet rot and dry rot are often not noticed until considerable damage has occurred. A professional damp specialist will accurately diagnose the type of rot, assess the extent of the damage, and recommend suitable treatments and safeguards.
- Woodworm in timber
DIY treatments for woodworm may be widely available commercially, but they are often not wholly effective. When you’re looking at an infestation in a major structure such as your roof, wall beams or timber out-buildings it’s really best to call in the experts for a survey.
Woodworm is an umbrella term that covers more than one type of beetle that could be to blame for the damage, and knowing which one to treat, and when during their life cycle is crucial to success.
- Listed or period properties
Older homes often have unique materials and construction methods that require specialist care. For example, lime plaster and breathable materials are often used in period properties, and modern damp-proofing methods can damage these materials. Experts familiar with period properties can provide appropriate solutions that preserve the building’s character and are in line with the preservation of listed building guidelines in England.
Need to call in the damp proofing professionals?
Damp proofing is not a one-size-fits-all solution. While DIY approaches can be effective for minor or surface-level problems, more complex or structural issues demand professional attention. Understanding the type and extent of damp in your home is key to making the right choice.
If you’re unsure about the cause of the damp or its severity, it’s always worth getting a damp survey. Property Conservation Services is a member of professional body, the Property Care Association and have built our reputation on providing our expertise to homeowners and landlords and owners of commercial property across Oxfordshire and beyond. We offer free damp and timber surveys to diagnose the problem and follow up with a comprehensive quote and explanation of the work involved to rectify it.
We’re in the business of ensuring your home remains dry, safe, and structurally sound for years to come. Get in touch today, to book your damp survey and find out if you can tackle the problem yourself.