How to fix damp internal walls fast

Issues like rising damp and penetrating, not to mention all of that dreaded condensation, can quickly turn your dream home into the stuff of nightmares.

Before you know it, damp patches are spoiling your paintwork, wallpaper is starting to peel off, and your damp problems are offering the perfect breeding ground for black mould growth on your internal walls.

Because no one wants any of this, not to mention the musty smell damp internal walls produce, we’re going to show you how to put all that excess moisture back in its place once and for all.

Let’s dive right into the basics so you can see how damp proofing works and so that you can decide whether or not you need a professional damp proof course.

What causes damp interior walls?

There are a variety of different types of damp — penetrating damp and rising damp being the most common — but the root causes are always the same.

Damp is always the result of too much moisture, whether that’s from the ground, from moist air outside, or from condensation inside because it’s too cold and there’s not enough ventilation.

Irrespective of the specific type of damp you have, there will be too much moisture and not enough air flow at some locations in your property.

How do you treat rising damp?

Rising damp is where moisture is gradually sucked out of the ground by poorly sealed foundations and external walls via capillary action.

You can think of your walls as having thousands of little pores, kind of link drinking straws, that suck up ground-level water droplets, resulting in the build-up of excessive moisture within the walls themselves.

Damp issues like these that gradually take hold of an internal surface, even if your outside walls are OK, can be hard to spot at first, that’s why the services of a professional are always recommended, even if you regularly check your property.

A Federation of Damp professional will be fully trained and certified to solve rising damp on internal walls using a variety of key techniques:

• Damp internal walls and skirting boards will be fully surveyed so that the correct preventive measures can be put in place to address water ingress
• The tide mark will be noted to quantify the extent of the problem and deliver solutions that effectively deal with the issue
• Rising damp will be addressed by sealing the foundations with injection treatments and the installation of damp proof membrane

Hiring a professional for a damp proofing course will help you defeat rising damp far more efficiently than if you attempt to do it yourself.

Ideal when you want to crack on so that you can paint walls, finish skirting boards, and decorate ceilings.

Do internal walls always need damp proofing?

Damp proofing is an essential component of a livable, homely property that holds its value for many years to come.

Without proper solutions in place to treat rising damp, and cure damp in other forms, unwanted mould growth will quickly take hold of your property. You will also be increasing the risk of damp patches emerging on your internal walls.

Can you repair a damp internal wall yourself?

While the services of a professional are always recommended when you have dampness inside your property, there are a few steps you can take that will help.

Just make sure you remember the following list, which will only prevent the return of black mould once penetrating damp and rising damp have been dealt with by a professional:

• Direct warm air at small damp patches to lift off surface moisture and condensation
• Run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture and address the issue of moist air
• Improve ventilation by opening windows so that you have plenty of fresh air
• Replace your windows with double glazing to help regulate the temperature of the affected area

Allowing damp to take hold of cold spots and prey on any cold surface at ground level is never a good idea.

Should you treat damp walls before painting?

Absolutely, if you spot common signs of damp internal walls, such as peeling paint and wallpaper, it’s never a good idea to simply try and paint on top of the wet area.

Paint requires a clean, dry, and stable surface and plenty of good ventilation so that it can dry effectively. If not, the paint won’t adhere correctly to the outer surface of the walls.

In some cases, your house may need to have insulation added to keep it warm, repairs made to the roof to prevent moisture from making its way in, and fresh plaster applied to walls that show signs of salt deposits.

Re-plastering after treating rising damp

Your house deserves the best, and that means you need to get on top of damp with the services of a damp proofing expert.

They will be able to correct the underlying causes of those troublesome damp patches during the course of a thorough damp proof course, so you can paint your wall the right way.

Re-plastering will need to be done when the level of damp has caused damage to the top coat or layer of the plaster. You may even find that parts of the plaster that once covered your wall now fall onto the floor with nothing more than a light tap.

Painting on top of wet plaster will only cause quick repair work to become necessary. In extreme cases, it can also compound health problems caused by continually breathing in damp air.

Should you buy a house with rising damp?

Rising damp is an issue that can take time and money to get rid of, even when you hire an expert trained and certified by the Federation of Damp.

Any damp issues that make it hard to paint walls and add your own touch to the place will cause headaches sooner rather than later.

A lot of buyers ask the seller to solve these types of dampness issues with help from a professional, as well as to install devices like extractor fans to prevent future issues before they finalise their offer.

If you want expensive exterior issues and deep-seated rot taken care of before you move in, it’s vital that you communicate this to the seller via your solicitor.

You should expect the seller to provide evidence that the dampness, condensation, and mould have been removed from the house prior to completing the contract.

How much does it cost to fix damp walls?

You can pay anything from several hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds to address condensation, defeat mould, and reclaim your house. Whether you have rising damp coming from the ground or penetrating damp coming through your external walls will determine the specific treatment your house needs.

Discussing everything with an expert will allow you to see the specific costs involved as they will provide a fully itemised quotation. Ideal if you want to see how much is being put towards exterior wall rendering, insulating internal walls, and everything else involved.

How do you dry out a damp internal wall?

Once your damp internal walls have had their underlying issues dealt with, you may still need to proactively remove moisture from the air to stay on top of things.

Heat and airflow are the two things that will put this right. The former forces the water droplets off the wall, and the latter carries them away to the outside air.

Investing in a dehumidifier, fan, and portable electric heater will all help with this process.

Should I do the damp proofing myself?

Issues like penetrating damp and rising damp are best treated by a professional. Rising damp, in particular, is complex to treat, plus you may have to work at height if your issues stem from poorly sealed external walls.

Who should I contact about damp proofing?

The Federation of Damp is the place to be when you want a helping hand from the professionals. Our certifications are raising the standards in the industry so that you get the service you deserve.

Will condensation go away by itself?

No, if you leave condensation and do nothing about it, it will only get worse. It’s a form of dampness that quickly leads to mould growth on walls and around windows that can quickly cause chronic health conditions.

You will often find that rising damp and condensation on the lower parts of walls go hand in hand because a lower section of damp wall will attract moisture. In this case, hiring an expert to solve your rising damp issues is always the best approach

Is mould actually harmful?

Black mould grows fast, is airborne, and forces you to breathe in toxic spores without your body being able to do anything about it.

Once you take in a cloud of spores, they sit in your lungs and constantly aggravate and inflame the sensitive lining. If you have children, are elderly, or suffer from asthma, this could be potentially life-threatening if you leave it untreated.