Although the onset of rising damp naturally happens over time, it is not something that you would want in your home. Rising damp that is let to develop unencumbered can wreak havoc on masonry supplies such as brick, concrete and more. The main reason that rising damp comes about is due to groundwater steadily being absorbed by the building supplies. The rate at which you will require rising damp repairs will vary depending on how porous these materials are. Moreover, having a damp-proof course may hinder the development of rising damp, but if it is old and requires replacement, water ingress will eventually occur. So what do homeowners need to know about how to spot the signs of rising damp?

Water staining on your walls

Water staining, also referred to as tidemarks, are one of the first conspicuous signs of rising damp that you should be on the lookout for. Tidemarks will leave your walls and flooring with dark streaks where the water has penetrated the materials. However, depending on how long the rising damp has been happening, you may find that the tidemarks appear yellowish or form other discolourations on your walls. It would be essential to have a contractor inspect the premises to ascertain the severity of the rising damp and carry out the repairs that are needed.

Rotting and deformed skirting

Since the skirting is located at the lowest part of your walls, it should come as no surprise that this structure would be highly susceptible to rising damp. The timber makes skirting an easy target for rot if it is exposed to moisture for a prolonged period. Inspect your skirting for any signs of decay, which would typically manifest as the timber changing colour or feeling spongy to the touch. The skirting may even start to swell, causing it to detach from the walls. You may also notice the onset of black mould in the space between the skirting and the wall.

Peeling paint and wallpaper

Another telltale sign that water ingress is occurring in your structure unabated is if your paint or wallpaper starts to become compromised. As the water ingress happens, the moisture causes bubbles to form under the layer of paint or wallpaper. With time, the bubbles of air can burst, and the surface begins to become an eyesore, with patches peeling off here and there. Other signs that would accompany the peeling is curling of the edges of the wallpaper or crumbling of the wall paint.