5 possible causes of rising damp

Rising damp isn't always visible and can cause major problems in the long run. Naturally, it comes with significant costs, and you want to prevent that. If rising damp is present, you want to know before you buy the property, not just discover it afterward. Homekeur conducts a professional building inspection , during which we also identify rising damp when it's present. Homekeur provides insight into 5 possible causes of rising damp.

Not all Dutch homes are built on the same type of soil. Some homes are built on sandy soil, but others, for example, on clay soil. During rainfall, water drains easily through the sand, but this isn't the case with clay soil. Often, water remains (temporarily) on the clay soil, causing it to seep into the foundation.

You don't always have to see water. Sometimes, a large pool of water forms in the cavity wall, between the inner and outer walls. The outside is cold, while the inside is warm. This can cause condensation droplets that eventually form a pool in the cavity wall. The walls then absorb this water.

Something as simple as a faulty drainpipe can cause rising damp in a home. It's more common for the drainpipe to end above the paving, meaning it's not connected to a drain or sewer. This causes rainwater to fall directly onto the paving in large quantities, often forming a puddle against the wall. This moisture will slowly seep into the wall.

Some homes experience more than average rain on their facades. This can be due to factors such as wind direction or a draft. When heavy rain hits the facade, and especially when the facade exhibits minor defects like cracks, it quickly leads to damp problems in the home.

In the Netherlands, we use the NAP (Dutch Ordnance Datum), also known as the groundwater level, and it's not the same everywhere. In various places in the Netherlands, there's a standard elevated groundwater level. There are also places where the groundwater level is higher than average, especially after a heavy downpour. The soil can become very moist when the groundwater level is too high, and this easily causes moisture to seep into the walls.

Rising damp causes problems over time. It's not impossible to remove moisture from a wall, but it is a long and expensive process. You don't want that. Is there rising damp in the house you're considering buying? Homekeur will determine it for you. We'll conduct a building inspection to uncover any hidden defects. Schedule a building inspection online now.

The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!