Signs of Rising Damp: A Detailed Breakdown and Steps to Take

Rising damp is a common problem especially in older properties. It occurs when groundwater seeps through porous building materials, such as bricks and mortar, and rises up through capillary action. Left untreated, it can cause serious structural damage and health issues due to mold growth. Identifying the early signs of rising damp is essential to prevent costly repairs and for you to maintain a safe living environment.

In this post we’ll explore the clear signs for you to look out for, how to differentiate it from other forms of damp, and the steps you should take if you suspect you have a rising damp problem.

What to Look For

1. Tide Marks and Staining

One of the most recognizable signs that you have  rising damp is the appearance of tide marks on your walls. These are horizontal, discolored stains  typically occur up to around 1 meter (3 feet) above floor level. Tide marks are caused by soluble salts being drawn from the ground and deposited on the wall surface as the moisture evaporates. The staining may appear brown, yellow, or a patchy white color due to salt deposits.

2. Peeling or Flaking Paint and Wallpaper

Moisture from rising damp causes your paint and wallpaper to deteriorate. Paint may bubble, crack, or flake off, while wallpaper can start peeling off or develop wrinkles. In severe cases, entire sections of your wall covering may come loose.

3. A Damp, Musty Odor

A persistent musty smell in your property is a strong indicator of damp. As moisture permeates the walls, it creates the perfect beading ground for mold and mildew to grow, which produces a distinctive odor.

4. Plaster Deterioration and Crumbling

Rising damp can cause plaster to become soft, powdery, or crumbly. In some cases, it may fall away from your wall altogether. The surface may also feel damp or cold to touch.

5. Visible Mold or Mildew Growth

Although black mold is more commonly associated with condensation, rising damp can also create a mold-friendly environment, particularly at the base of walls. Mold spores are a health risk, especially for people with respiratory conditions or allergies.

6. Salt Efflorescence

As water rises through the masonry, it carries salts from the ground. When the water evaporates, the salts crystallize on the surface, forming a white, powdery residue known as efflorescence. This is a telltale sign of rising damp and often appears along skirting boards or at low wall levels.

7. Rotting Skirting Boards or Floorboards

Persistent moisture exposure can cause wooden fixtures, such as skirting boards and floorboards, to rot. You may notice warping, discoloration, or a spongy texture when pressed.

WHAT TO DO ( & NOT DO) WHEN DEALING WITH A PLUMBING EMERGENCY

There are times when you are likely to be faced with a plumbing emergency.  There are things that you will need to do and things you should definitely not do! I'll be sharing these with you below along with some common plumbing emergencies you may encounter and what to do about them. 

Do:

Keep calm

Staying calm during an emergency and dealing with the situation with a clear head is preferable to being in a state of panic. Take a moment to gather your thoughts before you act.

Turn off the water immediately 

If the emergency is a leak than turn off your water at the nearest stopcock to prevent further damage. 

Unplug and remove any electrical equipment 

If there any electrical equipment near water than unplug and remove them from the area. Make sure they are fully dry before being plugged back in.

Look for the source of the problem.

Once the water is switched off at the stopcock, you should be able to tell where the leak is coming from. Depending on the issue, you may feel confident in being able to deal with it yourself, or you may need to call a plumber.

Contain the leak as best you can

If, for whatever reason, you cannot switch off the water, try to contain the leak as best you can. Use containers like  buckets, saucepans, or whatever is in hand to catch any running water. Keeping some old towels for cleaning up leaks is advisable or you can use a mop.

Make a note of any damage for an insurance claim.

If there is unfortunately damage that  you will need to submit an insurance claim for, make sure to take plenty of photos. 

If it's beyond your ability, call a professional plumber or heating engineer.

One of the most important parts of dealing with a plumbing emergency is to know your limits. If the problem is something beyond your ability to fix, then call an emergency plumber or heating engineer out.

Don’t: 

Panic

Although a plumbing emergency is stressful don't panic. Panicking can cause you to delay acting which means more damage is likely to be caused especially with a leak.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME SMELLING FRESH

 Your home is a place where you should be comfortable and be able to relax at the end of the day. However this can be difficult if you have odours lingering around. So it's important to address them promptly. In this post I'll be sharing with you easy ways you can do this that doesn't cost alot.

Addressing the source of odours

Before dealing with any bad odours the first step is to identify the source. This is an important step as you won't be able to prevent nasty smells from returning, if you don't know where they are coming from. Here are some tips for 3 most common sources:

Drains

Kitchens and bathroom sinks produce some of the worst smells, especially if not well maintained. This is because of the build up of food, soap, grease and grime that attracts bacteria. So make sure you clean and unblock them regularly. You can buy products that do just that or you can do it a much cheaper and eco friendly way, where you use baking soda and vinegar to do the job. 

Bins

Your kitchen bin needs to be emptied regularly into your outdoor bin. Smells from the bin is due to the decomposition of what you have thrown away which produces gases and chemicals. The longer you leave it the worse smells will get. As well as disposing rubbish regularly it's important to regularly clean out the bin itself. Cleaning and disinfecting your bin not just gets rid of nasty odours but also gets rid of harmful bacteria. Lemon scented products tend to be best for cleaning them out and also adding a bit of baking soda helps to absorb smells.

OUR HOME GOALS FOR 2025

 A fresh new year is here and so it's time for setting those goals. We don't have many big jobs for our home this year as we need time to save up for the main project the attic. So whilst we are saving there will be smaller things we are planning to do around the home as well as snagging lists.

Replace our front wall

The one big job this year is replacing our front garden wall. It's unfortunately needing to be sorted out sooner rather than later. We have made the decision to knock down the wall and replace it with fencing instead. There is a house near us that has done this which is where we got the inspiration from. 

HOW TO KEEP WARM IN BED IN WINTER

Sleep is so important and what's also important is during the cold winter months being able to hibernate for 8 hours or so and be cosy and warm. Our bed should be a place for relaxation and comfort. Although it can be hard to maintain the perfect temperature throughout the year, here are some things you can do to help during these cold winter months ahead.

Your Duvet 

The tog rating of your duvet determines how thick it is and suitability for the season. So during cold months a tog of 10.5, 13.5 or 15 is ideal for providing more insulation and traping in the heat. 

Blankets/throws

Blankets and throws are ideal especially if you are unable to store second duvets to swap out with the season. Not only are you able to get them in so many varieties of designs such as floral, chequered or faux fur they add an extra layer of warmth. Plus they are easy to move around if you want to take them to snuggle up on the sofa.

Mattress protectors

You won't need to swap out your mattress protector during the winter however adding an extra layer is an effective way of adding insulation to your bed. You can replace the covering of your mattress protector for one with a soft touch filling.

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

 If you are committed to doing what you can to help the environment, being more energy efficient is a must. There are many things we all can do to help reduce our energy consumption from the little things to the big. Some of the bigger ways require a bit more planning and the  initial investment that's worth it in the long run. By completing some of these ideas featured below you are not just helping the environment but also helping to lower your bills. 

Upgrading Appliances 

When it comes to appliances newer ones tend to be more energy efficient. This is especially so when it comes to boilers. Appliances now come with a label that shows us what there energy efficiency is, A+++ tends to be the best to look out for. It's also wise to only buy appliances that fit your needs for example there is no point of buying a large fridge/freezer if a smaller one suits you better. A bigger fridge/freezer will cost more to run even if it's a better energy efficiency than a smaller one. Don't forget the smaller items such as low energy light bulbs, kettles and tvs. When it also comes to disposing your old appliances make sure that you do so correctly such as at a store or recycling point. 

Insulation 

When it comes to Insulating your home there are lots of cheap options such as using draught excluders and putting thick curtains up. However one of the best things to consider investing in is getting a professional out and getting loft/wall insulation. We had ours done a few years ago and it's definitely made such a difference! Our homes energy performance has gone up from an E to a C and we definitely have noticed a difference in the winter months.