Damp can be a significant problem in new homes, mainly caused by significant insulation and the improper installation of damp proof layers on floors.
What is damp?
Damp refers to the presence of moisture in the air of your home. It can lead to the growth of mould and mildew, causing unpleasant odours and damaging surfaces. It typically occurs in homes that are not properly ventilated.
What are the causes of damp in new homes?
Damp can be caused by several factors including:
Rising damp
This occurs when moisture from the ground rises up into the walls of a building.
Condensation
This is when moisture forms on cold surfaces due to the difference between the temperature of the surface and the surrounding air.
Leaks
Water leaks can cause damp, especially when they come from roofs, pipes, and gutters.
Poor ventilation
Inadequate ventilation can cause damp by trapping moisture in the air.
Why do new build homes get more damp?
Unfortunately new build homes can be more prone to damp due to the following reasons:
Lack of ventilation
New build homes are often more airtight than older homes. This does reduce drafts and leads to warmer homes, but it can lead also to a build-up of moisture in the room.
Poor design
Some new build homes may have insufficient insulation and ventilation, making them more susceptible to damp problems.
Unfinished construction
In some cases, new build homes may still be under construction, leading to incomplete ventilation systems, open windows and doors. This can let moisture get into the core elements of a building and contribute to damp.
How to stop damp in new build homes
There are several ways to prevent and treat damp in a new home:
Ventilation
Increase the ventilation in your home by installing extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens, opening windows regularly, and ensuring that there is adequate air circulation.
Insulation
Insulate your home properly to reduce the risk of damp. This includes insulating walls, floors, and roofs. But it’s very important that you insulate your home in the right way.
Insulating a house can reduce damp if it is installed and maintained properly. Insulation helps to reduce heat loss from the home, which in turn can help to reduce humidity levels and prevent damp from forming. For example, insulating the walls and roof of a home can reduce the risk of condensation and mould growth, as the insulation helps to keep the interior surfaces of the home warm and dry.
However, if insulation is installed improperly, or if there are existing moisture problems in the home, it may actually increase the risk of damp. For example, if insulation is installed over damp surfaces, it can trap the moisture inside the walls, leading to further damage and mould growth. Similarly, if insulation does not have proper ventilation, it can become damp and promote mould growth.
To ensure that insulation reduces the risk of damp in a home, it is important to address any existing moisture problems before installing the insulation, and to install the insulation properly, following manufacturer’s guidelines and building codes. It is also important to regularly inspect the insulation for signs of damp, and to address any issues that are found promptly.
Clean Down Walls
Cleaning walls with a mould cleaner is a super important step in maintaining the health and safety of your home. In order to remove mould and prevent it from coming back, it is important to use a mould cleaner specifically designed for this purpose.
They typically contain a combination of chemicals and biocides that are designed to kill mould spores and prevent their re-growth.
When applied to the affected area, the mould cleaner will penetrate the surface of the wall and break down the mould at the root, killing the mould spores and preventing them from spreading. The cleaner will then continue to work over time, creating a barrier that helps to prevent future mould growth.
Repair leaks
A leak in a home can quickly become a breeding ground for mould if not properly addressed. Water seeping into the walls, flooring, and other building materials creates the perfect environment for mould to thrive and grow. In just 24 to 48 hours after a leak, mould can start to develop, spreading quickly and causing both physical damage to the structure and potential health risks to the inhabitants.
To avoid this scenario, it’s important to keep a vigilant eye out for leaks and act fast to repair them. Cleaning up the water and thoroughly drying the affected area is key in preventing mould growth. In cases of extensive mould growth, professional help may be necessary to restore the health and safety of the home.
Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier is a must-have appliance for any homeowner who wants to extract damp from their home.
Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air, which lowers the relative humidity in your home. They are equipped with a refrigerant system that cools the air and condenses the moisture, which is then collected in a removable water tank.
But dehumidifiers can also have other benefits for your home. By reducing humidity levels, you can also help reduce allergens, improve air quality, and prevent musty odours. With less moisture in the air, dehumidifiers can also help prevent wood rot and rust on metal surfaces.
How does the kitchen get damp?
The kitchen is a common source of damp due to the high levels of moisture produced when cooking.
Cooking
Cooking food creates steam and moisture that can lead to high humidity levels, especially if you’re a frequent cook or use high-humidity cooking methods like boiling or steaming. And this excess moisture can cause dampness and mould growth.
Washing Clothes
Washing clothes in your kitchen can also result in dampness. Even though the washing happens in a drum, once the door is opened the moisture will naturally move into the kitchen air. Hanging clothes up to dry in your kitchen also raises moisture levels.
Key Ways to Reduce Humidity in the Kitchen:
Ventilate the room regularly
This includes opening windows and doors to allow damp to escape.
Use an extractor fan
Install an extractor fan in the kitchen to remove damp from the air. And make sure to turn it on! It may be noisy but the benefits from a functioning extractor fan are worth putting up with.
Wipe down surfaces
Regularly wipe down surfaces in the kitchen, especially after cooking or washing, to prevent moisture from building up.
How does the bathroom get damp?
Bathrooms are another common source of damp due to the high levels of moisture produced when bathing, showering, and washing. This moisture can lead to the growth of mould and mildew, which can cause unpleasant odours and damage surfaces.
To prevent damp in the bathroom you need to perform the same activities as the kitchen, such as ventilating the room regularly, using extractor fans and wiping down surfaces.
It’s really important to use a squeegee in showers to push excess water further down shower tiles. Doing this reduces the chance of moisture lingering in the air and contributing to damp.
The best squeegees have a hook or adhesive to stick on the wall, ensuring they don’t stay wet at the bottom of the shower. The Mr Siga squeegee is an all purpose squeegee that’s perfect for the shower or any windows in the home. Some manufacturers of squeegees make the silicone blade smaller, but this one is still a good 10 inches in width.
Does heating clothes cause damp?
Heating clothes indoors can greatly increase damp in your home. Moisture from wet clothes can evaporate into the air, increasing the humidity levels and leading to the growth of mould and mildew. To prevent this, it is important to properly dry clothes with adequate ventilation. Clothes need to be fully dry before storing them.
Can damp form behind furniture?
Yes, damp can form behind furniture if there is a lack of ventilation in the area. Furniture can block air flow, trapping moisture in the air. This leads to the growth of mould and mildew. To prevent this, it is important to regularly move furniture and clean behind it to ensure that air can circulate freely.
Does heating a room get rid of damp?
This is actually very poorly understood amongst people.
Heating a room can actually increase humidity levels in some cases. This is because hot air can hold more moisture than colder air. So even though the air feels drier the amount of water in the air could actually be the same.
To reduce humidity levels in a room, it’s important to ventilate the space by opening a window. This allows for the exchange of air between the inside and outside of the room, and makes for a comfortable and healthy living environment.
Do trickle vents help with damp?
Trickle vents can help with moisture by allowing fresh air to circulate in the room and reducing humidity levels. These vents are typically installed in windows, and they help to regulate the air flow in a room, preventing the build-up of moisture in the air.
New build homes take up to 2 years to reach a balanced state
It’s important to keep in mind that new build homes can take up to 2 years to reach a balanced state in terms of moisture levels, ventilation, and other factors that can contribute to damp. But during this time it’s important to regularly check for signs of damp and to take action to prevent it from occurring.
What is rising damp in new build homes?
Rising damp is a type of damp that occurs in a building when ground moisture rises up through the walls and floors of the home. This type of damp can be a major problem in new build homes, as the concrete floor and walls can be more permeable to moisture than in older homes.
Rising damp happens as there is no adequate damp-proof course or barrier in place on the ground to prevent the ground moisture from rising up through the walls and floors. The moisture can cause damage to the building structure, as well as to furnishings and decorations within the home.
In new build homes, rising damp can happen if the damp-proof course has not been installed properly. Alternatively it can happen when the walls and floors are not properly insulated, or if there is a lack of proper ventilation. The condition can result in damp patches on the walls, peeling paint and wallpaper, and mould and mildew growth, all of which can be harmful to health.