What Causes Damp Walls and How to Prevent Dampness?

A problem that every property owner and homeowner encounters, especially during monsoons, is wall dampness. In simple words, wall dampness is the presence of moisture or water in the walls of your property that, along with being unsightly, can lead to many major issues over a long period of time if left unattended. Several factors like water seepage through the walls or leaking plumbing pipes can create a damp and mouldy environment. The biggest disadvantage of damp walls is that it creates an unhealthy indoor environment which can cause damage to fabrics, books, shoes, and other household items that are within closed cabinets.

Can Damp Walls Cause Health Problems?

Yes, damp walls can cause various health issues including allergies, respiratory problems, can trigger asthma, and even have an impact on your overall immune system and mental health.

It is necessary to understand the causes of damp walls and rectify them as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. This post will help you understand how and why dampness is caused and how you can prevent it. 

What Causes Wall Dampness?

There are multiple factors that can be considered as the causes of dampness in walls. Let us take a close look at some of the major factors. For the benefit of the reader, the reasons can be divided into two categories: External and Internal.

External Factors

Rainwater Penetration:

If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rain, water may seep through the ceiling and the walls due to constant showers. Minor penetration of water is observed in almost all regions of the nation, but an increased amount of moisture in the wall can prove to be quite harmful to your house. 

Groundwater Seepage and Flooding:

In places where houses are constructed at a lower level, the water may seep through the floors into the house, leading to flooding and seepage. This is especially common in houses that have basements or are built on lower grounds without a proper foundation. 

Condensation from temperature variations:

Another external factor that can lead to wall damping is fluctuating temperature. Temperature and weather fluctuations such as heavy rains (or snow/fleet) may lead to water droplets finding a home in pockets of your walls. These droplets then evaporate and travel through the walls on hot days. Similarly, regions that are situated next to large water bodies such as the sea have high levels of humidity in the atmosphere, which may turn into water droplets in the walls during winters. 

Internal Factors

Plumbing leaks or pipe bursts:

Faulty or old pipes can burst and flood your home with water. In case the pipelines are not of potable water, the leaky pipes can prove to be even more severe, making immediate action absolutely necessary. Apart from making the walls damp, this can cause bigger problems too.

Poor ventilation:

The level of moisture in the air goes up during monsoons and winters, even in dry areas. Houses/rooms that do not have proper ventilation, such as windows, do not get ample flow of air and sunlight, which makes the room damp as the moisture has no place to evaporate and escape into the atmosphere. This issue is also common in poorly ventilated kitchens and bathrooms and can cause dampness on internal walls. 

Moisture-producing activities:

Another reason for damp wall problems is activities such as cooking and showering which produce moisture. Without proper ventilation and drainage, these activities can lead to condensation dampness on internal walls, which in the long term can prove to be harmful.

Methods to Check Wall Dampness

Here are a few tips that you can use to check whether you have damp walls or not. If you observe any of the following issues, then you may have damp walls.

1. Lay your palm flat against a wall. If the wall feels cold and slightly moist to the touch, it is a sign of dampness. 
2. If you observe fungal growth or mould on your walls, especially in the form of black speckled dots on woodwork, wallpaper, and similar materials, you have a longstanding issue of dampness. 
3. Another sign of dampness is the flaking of paint from the ceiling and walls.
4. Dampness may also lead to brown stain marks, patches, and discolouration on walls and the ceiling. 
5. Dampness often causes a musty and unpleasant smell quite similar to the stench of a garage, basement, or storeroom. 

Effects of Wall Dampness

Wall dampness can prove to be a major concern for the property as well as the people who live or use the property. Here are three major problems that are a result of dampness.

Structural Damage:

The dampness of the wall can make the overall structure of the house fragile over time. Constant dampness may ruin the foundation of your property, especially if you have wooden framing in your house. Similarly, it may reduce the health of bricks and other materials used for construction, leading to minor as well as major cracks. 

Mould and Mildew Growth:

Mould and mildew thrive well in moist areas that receive low sunlight. Thus, damp walls provide a perfect atmosphere for these organisms to grow. These can be hazardous for your furniture, books, clothes, etc. They may also produce a strange stink.

Health Risks:

Damp walls can serve as a breeding ground for various bacteria, fungi, etc. These organisms can be quite harmful to the health of humans as well as animals. This issue becomes even more severe if you have children or elders in your home. 

Prevention of Wall Dampness

While treating wall dampness is possible, it is always better to prevent dampness completely. Here are a few tips that you can follow to avoid dampness. 

Proper Construction Practices

Using good construction materials, following proper plans, and building a structure with proper outlets can help you prevent water dampness. This includes having ample windows installed in the house so that you have ample sunlight and air in the rooms. 

Exterior maintenance

Gutters and downspouts

Improper drainage can lead to leaks and seeping of water. With proper gutters and downspouts around the house and the terrace, you will be able to prevent water from stagnating and thus seeping into the walls or the ceiling. 

Exterior waterproofing

Chemical waterproofing is another method that can be considered, especially if you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains. 

Interior maintenance

–Good ventilation

Along with proper windows and doors, do install fans and exhausts wherever there is a high chance of build-up of moisture. Change your curtains and drapery from time to time to avoid trapping moisture. 

–Proper insulation

Proper insulation will prevent moisture from building up. It will also prevent the problem of condensation.

–Avoiding excessive moisture build-up

Install exhausts in your bathrooms and kitchen to prevent excessive moisture. Keep doors and windows open when you cook. Once you are done using the bathroom, keep the door slightly ajar to help it dry quickly. 

Treatment of Wall Dampness

Damp walls can be a major problem, but they are preventable and can be treated as well. Let us have a look at the steps that you must undertake for damp wall treatment. 

Also Read: Monsoon Wall Seepage Solutions: Preventing and Treating Water Leakage from the Walls

• Identify the source of dampness

Before beginning any treatment procedure, you must identify what is causing the dampness. The treatment method may vary extensively as per the root cause of the dampness. For instance, certain parts of your house may be more at risk of dampness, such as bathrooms and kitchens. These may require different kinds of treatment as compared to other rooms. You must monitor your walls regularly for dampness to avoid making the problem more severe over time. 

• Repairing external causes

External causes such as high groundwater levels, improper base, and other related problems must be handled by professionals.

• Fixing leaks or cracks

With time, houses, and other properties may develop cracks. This is normal, but do not leave them unattended. Most cracks begin to appear around windows and doors. These cracks can lead to seepage. Fix these cracks, holes, and leaks timely with crack-fill putty. Once you have filled the cracks correctly, you can paint over the putty for a uniform look. Do remember to do this before the arrival of the monsoon. 

• Improving drainage systems

Improper drainage can lead to flooding of rooms and walls. Install larger and appropriate pipes and clean them regularly. Do not let water stand anywhere- whether on the terrace or in your yard. If the drainage problem is municipal, contact the responsible authorities immediately and get it resolved. 

Repairing internal causes

Here are a few tips that can help you understand how to treat damp walls that have been affected internally.

• Fixing plumbing issues

Internal plumbing issues such as improper drainage, broken pipes, etc. may cause leaking and seeping leading to water damage in walls. Installing better quality pipes that do not corrode easily can prevent pipe leaks. Thicker pipes can also prevent bursting (unless you live in an extremely cold region). Talk to your plumber to know more about how you can prevent dampness by fixing plumbing issues. 

• Enhancing ventilation and airflow

Improve the ventilation of the room that is damp or is prone to dampness. This includes keeping the windows and doors open, keeping the fans on, allowing as much sunlight as possible in the room, etc.  If you cannot install new windows in the room, try to install exhaust fans and perhaps a room heater to tackle the moisture in the atmosphere and the walls. 

• Install Waterproof tiles 

Once you have repaired cracks and leaks from a wall and are sure that the wall is dry, you can install wall tiles on the walls. This will create an impervious surface which will prevent moisture from seeping into the walls. Wall tiles can be installed indoors as well as outdoors wall tiles also add a lot of aesthetic value to your space, making it look pretty.

• Drying and restoring affected walls

Restoring affected walls includes fixing cracks, holes, and other problems in the walls. This can be done using a crack-filling putty and can be an easy DIY project. For major damage, it is recommended to consult an expert. 

• • Removing damaged materialsDamaged materials such as damaged wallpapers, paint, doors, wooden items, accessories, etc. should be removed and discarded. Mould from these old items could spread to other parts of the house as well. For items that you cannot throw, spraying with anti-mould products and then drying the items in direct sunlight can prove to be beneficial. 
    • Applying appropriate treatments (sealants, anti-mould products)

    Appropriate treatments such as anti-mould products must be applied on wood, leather, cotton, and other organic items to prevent the growth of mould. Similarly, walls can be coated with sealants to prevent excessive water damage. 

    Conclusion

    Damp walls can prove to be quite a nuisance, especially in monsoons. But with a few simple tips and tricks, you can solve the damp wall problems in time. 

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    FAQs

    • What leads to dampness in the walls?

    Dampness in the walls can originate from many causes, ranging from an internal problem like lack of ventilation or leaking pipes to an external factor such as leaking wall cracks or moisture creeping up from the ground. Its causes should be treated promptly to avoid further structural damage.

    • How do you get rid of dampness permanently?

    The first step in stopping moisture is determining the kind of dampness in the walls you have. Once identified, most of the time, you’ll need to solve the root cause of the dampness. There are then many professional products available that can stop dampness from coming back into the affected area.

    • Can dampness go away on its own?

    Where moisture is concerned, small amounts will generally dry out on their own; however, if it lingers over some time, it is extremely important to take care of it right away to avoid the development of mould and other such issues that may arise in the future.

    • What is the chemical treatment for damp walls?

    An opaque barrier against moisture can be created by chemical treatments, such as the injection of damp-proof materials into the walls. Most simply address these symptoms without treating the root cause itself. If at all possible, one should adopt permanent solutions like replacing leaking pipes or increasing humidity to address problem sources instead of just dealing with their effects.

  • Which hazards come with not treating damp walls?

  If growing moisture is left untreated, it may significantly damage a building. Examples include moisture entering into the walls, which leads to decaying wood and scorching paint and wallpaper. It also causes crumbling plaster. Moreover, increasing wetness can foster both mould and mildew, which are both potentially dangerous for human health.