Identifying Damp from your Roof

In a house, damp problems are usually caused by one of three issues: rising damp, condensation or penetration.

Rising damp is not a roofing issue but you'll know you have it if mould or rotting is focused in low areas e.g. bottoms of door frames, skirting boards, plaster, peeling wallpaper etc. The other two, condensation/ventilation and penetration can both be linked to your roof.

Penetrating damp can be seen as damp or dark patches on walls or ceilings, which may be worse in rainy weather. The most common causes are internal leaks from pipes, external cracks in wall rendering, bricks losing their waterproofing and becoming porous, damaged roofing (tiles, flashings, eaves etc) and broken or split guttering. Check your loft space and guttering as soon as possible as this is a problem that will only get worse!

Condensation/ventilation problems are obvious from water droplets on windows and black mould. They're the most common cause of damp, caused by moist, warmer air condensing on cooler walls. They're usually more apparent in winter and in older homes that were built to "breathe" rather than keep the elements out entirely. Most people know about not drying wet washing indoors etc but frustratingly, many energy saving measures such as fitting air-tight double glazing, blocking draughts/chimneys etc, can increase condensation by decreasing ventilation.

Government guidelines now stipulate required levels of heat transfer across roofing areas (called U-values). This means insulation and ventilation are intricately linked - they have to work together and and one has to take account of the other. Any imbalance and your house will be damp and cold.

If you suspect your damp problem may be roof related and you feel you need help, give us a ring on 07855 535581. We offer free no-obligation on-site assessment and no-obligation estimates for fixing any (roof) problems we find.

Whatever you do though, don't ignore the damp or simply cover it up with paints - it is ALWAYS a symptom of a deeper problem and that problem will only get worse if it isn't tackled!