Water Seepage

Dampness tends to cause secondary damage to a building. The unwanted moisture enables the growth of various fungi in wood, causing rot. Plaster and paint deteriorate and wallpaper loosens. Stains, from the water, salts and from mold, mar surfaces. Externally, mortar may crumble and salt stains may appear on the walls. Steel & iron fasteners rust. It may also cause respiratory illness in occupants. In extreme cases, mortar or plaster may fall away from the affected wall.

The presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a building is either the result of intrusion from outside or condensation from within the structure. A high proportion of damp problems in buildings are caused by the “big three,” condensation, rain penetration, and rising damp, although other causes of dampness such as pipe leakage and construction moisture should not be overlooked.