Types of Dampness Inside of the House and How to Spot Them
by Alex on Jan 25, 2020
Spotting a tiny patch of dampness inside the house may not seem like a big deal, but if you don’t take necessary measures in time, it’ll become a serious and costly problem later.
To know how to deal with dampness properly, you need to identify the type of damp on your wall because each of them requires different treatment.
Here are the most common signs of the beginning of water damage to help you identify penetrating water in your home:
Penetrating Damp
If water leaks through walls, it may lead to penetrating or lateral dampening. It usually occurs on external walls in places with severe weather conditions or in an older building with solid walls.
Patches of dampness on ceilings or walls which can increase in size and darken due during rain. This common type of dampness tends to move horizontally, expanding across walls or ceiling.
Depending on the severity, there may also be free-flowing water or water droplets on the surface.
Condensation
This type of damp is the most common one found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas that naturally generate plenty of air moisture and have poor ventilation.
Common signs of condensation include:
- Dark mold around windows or on glass
- Water droplets on walls or windows
- A moist, musty, and pungent smell
Condensation during cooking could cause condensation too, this is nothing to worry about if it's related to infrequent cooking.
Rising Damp
This type of damp occurs when the level of the damp-proof course, a waterproof strip built inside the wall, is lower than the outside ground, letting water move up through the wall, or when there’s no damp-proof course at all.
The water travels through the walls and gets sucked up through the brick’ tiny tubes, causing damage to the internal walls of the building.
The signs of this type of damp are:
- Peeling wallpaper and paint, usually with wet patches
- Damaged plaster or skirting boards
- Tide marks on the bottom of the walls
- Salt on the wall due to the presence of salt in the water
- Lifting of floor coverings
Once you identify the type of damp in your home, it may be worth contacting a damp proofing company to confirm and get a remedy sorted.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
97081 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
74740 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71961 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
53166 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30751 Views
Latest Articles
How Much Does It Cost To Take A Bath?
Plumbers know that a bath may seem like a relaxing luxury, but the real cost extends far beyond your water bill. The average soak uses 35 to 50...
on Apr 8, 2025
10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget
A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...
on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas
Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...
on Mar 7, 2025
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
on Feb 18, 2025
Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...
on Jan 12, 2025
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth
on Feb 18, 2025
Real Estate / Finance

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 148
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
How to Compost and How it Works
Look at any thriving forest and you will see composting in action. The complex interplay of green plants, fungi, bacteria and other microscopic...
Asphalt vs Concrete: Which Option is the Best for Your Driveway?
Whether you are building a new home or need to replace a deteriorating driveway, the biggest question is what material to use. Two of the main...
Garden Plans Advise for the Busy Garden Planning
Vegetable gardens are not only beautiful to look at, but they are also highly functional and can provide your family with fresh food all season,...
Foods That Attract Certain Species of Birds
Find out how to attract birds, especially cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, and towhees to a new feeder, mix...
3 Things to Look for in a Plumbing Repair Company
Keeping up with all of the systems in your home can be a very arduous task, but one that is well worth the effort. There are a number of factors...