Since Delaware is near the sea, many older buildings tend to suffer from the effects of rising damp.  Rising damp is basically the presence of excess moisture in a building, either from condensation or intrusion from the outside. This type of damp can have a serious effect on the building and its occupants, causing structural damage and also contributing to poor indoor air quality. It can be caused by many factors, from poor maintenance to a lack of air conditioning. Damp and water damage can also be caused by water seeping in through cracks or crevices in the roof, through floor drains or leaking pipes.

Rising Damp Exposure

Water leaking from the roof can spread the moisture throughout a house and contribute to rising damp problems. For example, if water gets trapped under the roof in areas where there are cracks, it can leak into the rest of the house causing a leaky roof. If the moisture is not properly vented out of the house, it can accumulate in the basement and cause a buildup of humidity that leads to mold growth. In addition, moisture from the basement can cause problems in other areas such as the toilet, the faucets and other plumbing fixtures.

In order to prevent this kind of damp problem from occurring, you need to properly maintain your internal drainage system. This includes cleaning out standing water around sinks, toilets and other plumbing fixtures, installing an internal drainage system in areas of the house that may develop moisture problems, and checking for leaks in all of these areas.

Rain Water

A major contributing factor to damp problems is the buildup of excessive amounts of rainwater run-off into the roof of your home. The water is generally taken up by leaves, twigs and other debris. If you fail to regularly clean out the run-off, this may cause the water to collect in the baseboards and walls of the home. The accumulation can eventually build up and become stagnant and eventually lead to the growth of mold.

A simple way to prevent rising damp problems in a home is to keep your gutters clear. Gutters should be checked at least once a year for blockages. If blockages are found, the gutters should be cleared. Also, the sump pump should be inspected and replaced if it is clogged and no longer working properly. If you are experiencing problems with condensation in your roofing or inside of your home, this can be caused by moisture that has seeped up through cracks in the shingles or tiles or by blocked vents.

Tackling the Problem

If you want to take care of damp building problems, you should consider a professional approach such as a sump pump and dehumidifiers. if your home has been subjected to significant amounts of rain over the years or if you have been living in a humid or rainy environment. Be extra careful if you live by the sea, as the salt and wet air can really damage a building over the course of a few decades.