So, you have found the character home of your dreams and you absolutely need to buy it. It’s got style, class, in a lovely location and a beautiful terrace aesthetic.
However, the building and pest inspection reveals a scary secret…rising damp.
Structural dampness (aka rising damp) relates to the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building from either outside intrusion or condensation from within the structure.
Want to know more about how to identify, what causes and how to treat rising damp?
Read more from property maintenance Perth specialists at NexGen Tradies to find out.
Identifying rising damp
Most often than not, you’ll be able to identify a home with rising damp upon entering the building.
How? A musty odour may fill your nostrils and you may notice it on the walls.
Which homes are more at risk?
- A higher proportion of older buildings are affected by rising damp one way or another, or
- Brick homes with poor underfloor ventilation.
Now that we’ve identified the tell-tale signs and common properties of rising damp, let’s look at what causes rising damp, and how it can be easily treated with a property management Perth specialist.
Why and how does rising damp occur?
When moisture from the soil surrounding the home finds a way into the structure of your home, this creates damp conditions that allow mould to thrive.
This moisture can also draw salt from the ground, which crystallises in the bricks, causing plaster to flake and paint to blister.
This is called efflorescence and in severe cases, can erode masonry and cause significant damage if left alone.
What is a damp-proof course?
- These are built within most houses between the foundations and walls to prevent moisture absorption, however,
- In older homes, they’re often damaged, or
- Were never installed in the first place!
When you find yourself with rising damp, either in your own home or a home you really want to buy, you need fast, affordable treatment. Look no further than the property management Perth specialists to rid away your rising damp.
The treatment for rising damp
Damp-proofing (or damp-coursing) is the treatment for rising damp and what can be completed by a Perth tradie.
What does it involve?
- Typically stripping any damp plaster from the wall, and then
- Drilling a line of holes along the wall at base level, followed by
- Injecting a silicon solution into the wall, which created a permanent barrier, and finally
- Replastering the walls with a salt retardant render.
If all goes well, there will be no further instances of rising damp in your prized home.
A Perth tradie team you can trust
For over 15 years, NexGen Tradies have been continuously turned to for specialised and odd jobs around residential and commercial properties in Perth.
With rising damp, we have a dedicated team of handymen and Perth bricklayers who can assist in the repair, replacement and repointing of bricks.
Discover our services today and see how we can help with your property maintenance requirements, which includes identifying and treating rising damp.
Need help with property maintenance in Perth?
Contact NexGen Tradies today for all your Perth tradie requirements under one roof.
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