Is Damp Worse in Terraced Houses?

Those who are looking to move into or purchase a terraced house might wonder if damp issues are worse in a terraced house. In this article, we look at the factors that can cause penetrating damp, how they can be solved, and whether a terraced house is more prone to such issues.

Signs of A Damp Issue

 

There are numerous signs of damp being a major problem in a home. Older properties are prone to damp issues because the house has not been designed to counter a damp problem.

 

For instance, they have inadequate ventilation, they can also be poorly insulated which can cause cold surfaces across the home.

 

There are numerous signs of dampness in a terraced house. These can include:

 

• A Bad Odour: A musty or mouldy smell in the home.
• Internal Wall Issues: Internal walls are damp, cold, or wet.
• Paint/Wallpaper: These surfaces can experience peeling, bubbling, or be discoloured.
• Temperature: Damp homes can appear to be very cold for prolonged periods.
• Windows: There are excessive water droplets on the edges.
• Mould: Black mould growth on the walls, ceilings, floors, and windows.
• Skirting Boards: These become rotted or damaged.
• Humidity: There are humidity issues around the home.
• Cracks: Some internal/external walls might have cracks.

 

Poor ventilation is often the problem as it can prevent your ability to control damp around the home. The warm moist air will come into contact with colder areas and as the air cools, water droplets form.

 

Another sign that you might have damp issues is when your health deteriorates. Many people experience bouts of asthma and other respiratory problems.

Are Damp Problems Worse in Terraced Houses?

 

For some people, the idea of a terraced house can mean they’re concerned about rising damp and other damp issues in the home. But is damp worse in these homes?

 

Technically, damp can be considered a higher risk in these homes. Partly this is because the homes share their walls with at least one neighbouring property, where damp can spread easily between the homes. And if the neighbouring property has a damp problem, then it can spread.

Additionally, older properties tend to have sold brick walls. These lack the proper damp-proof membrane that modern homes have. Therefore, they have a greater chance to experience rising damp.

 

Another issue you might find is when you’re looking to purchase a heritage house. These homes are considered to be highly valued for their historical importance. However, if they’ve not been cared for enough in the past, they can suffer from a damp problem.

 

Therefore, if you’re looking to purchase a terraced house, you should ensure that you have a damp survey completed by a reputable surveyor. A damp-proofing company will likely be the best place to find a surveyor who can conduct the report for you. Be sure to check the damp specialist reviews and ensure that they’re members of the right housing association.

What to Do If You Suspect A Damp Issue?

 

If you suspect that your terraced house has rising damp, then you should immediately call our damp surveyor. They will do a damp survey of your home and look for physical signs of damp in the home, which you might want to point out if you’ve seen any.

 

A damp surveyor will also use their experience, tools, and knowledge to search for potential issues with the home to ensure that the damp treatment applied is going to work effectively.

 

The surveyor will look at all the damp walls and how the damp spread is affecting the home.

 

They will inspect the airflow around the home, any party walls in the home, and other potential problem areas in the home. Finally, they will seek to find the root cause of the damp issues in the home.

 

During the inspection, they will need to visit every level of the house, going across the whole floor and looking at all areas of the property. They might need to speak to the owners of a neighbour’s house if the damp is crossing property boundaries.

 

If a damp proof course has been installed on your terraced property before, then this will also be inspected. Sometimes this treatment can become worn and needs to be repaired or replaced.

 

When damp is found or there is defective damp proofing found, the surveyor will give a list of potential fixes and their expected costs.

Can I Get a Free Survey?

 

Some people are tempted by the free surveys that they can find online. It is important to note that there are not the best options for ensuring your home is damp-safe. This is because those who offer free services are using it as a way to collect leads, and not looking to reassure their customers. The surveys will often be lacking in detail and experience. They might miss something major on your terraced house and you could end up paying for repairs that are unnecessary and missing the vital repairs for your home.

 

As mentioned, it is better to check the credentials of the surveyor, including what memberships they have, their reviews, and what guarantees they offer.

Where Can a Terraced Property Experience Damp Issues?

 

There are several locations where a terraced house might experience issues. Here is a list of potential damp issues that you might find when buying a terraced house.

Interstitial Condensation

 

The formation of water droplets between the layers of a building’s structure. It can happen between the ground level and any cellars, or between property boundaries. The damp can cause mould, corrosion, and other damage. If this is a problem, you might need access to the neighbour’s house to solve the problem.

Cement Based Pointing

 

Older properties that use cement in pointing are known to cause problems. The walls trap moisture in the wall that prevents the wall from breathing. To remove the damp, you might need to drill holes in the wall or use extra air bricks.

Concrete Floor

 

A concrete floor can be a significant damp problem because of its porous nature which allows moist air to rise through capillary action. A proper damp proof course is required during construction to prevent damp problems from causing too much damage.

Defective Guttering

 

When guttering is blocked or damaged, it can cause water to access the external walls of your terraced house. This can cause significant damp problems within the home. The defective guttering might also not be on your home but on a neighbour’s house.

 

Party Wall

 

Shared boundaries can be the cause of damp within your home. A damp specialist will be able to determine whether it is your home or the other home that is causing the issues by conducting tests and seeing the damp spread.

Damaged Damp Proof Course

 

If you’ve had a damp proof course in the past then you might find that the physical damp proof course has become damaged over time. As a result, it will need repairs to prevent the spread of penetrating damp.

Other Issues

 

There are lots of other problems that can cause damp issues. When you talk to a rising damp specialist, they will be able to talk you through the issues that might affect your home.

Solutions to Damp Proof Your Terraced House

 

When it comes to protecting your terraced house, there are lots of damp solutions for you. Here are some of the options for preventing rising damp.

New Damp Proof Course

 

If your damp-proof course has become damaged or was never installed, the first option should be to install a new damp-proof membrane on your property. This can help protect your home easily and it is relatively cost-effective.

 

Be sure that you speak to a specialist and ask them what is the best solution for your home and how much it will cost.

Lower the Exterior Ground Level

 

Sometimes rising damp is not caused by the damp proof course. Instead, it’s caused by the damp-proof solutions being lower than the ground level of the property boundaries. The simple solution is to dig out the soil that might have built up over time until the damp proofing is higher.

Repair Guttering

 

If the guttering is causing issues, then you will have to replace the guttering. Guttering should be securely fixed to your property, and you should ensure there are no blockages either.

Damp Proof Paint

 

It is possible that you can use damp-proof paint to protect your walls from becoming damaged.  Numerous brands offer this specialist paint, but it tends to be more expensive than regular decorating paint.

Ventilate Your Home

 

Adding more ventilation to your home can be a quick and simple way to improve the damp issues in your home. A dehumidifier can help keep the moisture in the air down. Ensure that you’re also opening windows in the home, using extractor fans, and keeping the airflow throughout the home.

Air Bricks

 

You might also want to install more air bricks on the property as well. These should be installed by a professional who can insert the air bricks in the most optimal places for your home.

Replace Concrete Floor

 

If you do have a concrete floor in your home, then you might want to look at options to replace it. However, this can be a very messy and expensive option that you might not want to consider.

Final Word: Is Damp Worse in Terraced Houses?

 

If you’re thinking of buying a terraced house, then you might want to get a damp survey done on the property to check for issues such as rising damp, penetrating damp, and other signs of damp problems within the home. These homes are more problematic than other properties, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be protected.

 

You can look at speaking to your surveyor and asking them what will solve any of the issues if they do find mould, rising damp, or penetrating damp in the home. They should also be able to provide you with a cost estimate that you can use in making an offer on the house.

 

If you’re living in one, getting the surveyor to offer you a cost to repair the damage done by penetrating damp or other damp issues can help you budget and plan for making your home a more pleasant place to live.