How does rising damp occur?

Houses have a water barrier, which is located at ground level between the stone layers. If this barrier is in good condition, there's no problem. If problems arise, you'll experience rising damp. Groundwater is absorbed through the house walls when the water barrier is damaged or missing entirely. This allows the moisture to rise further and further, eventually becoming visible in the house. Wallpaper begins to peel, and damp patches appear. In most cases, mold also develops relatively quickly in the house.

Rising damp can occur not only in exterior walls but also in interior walls. The first sign you might see is the appearance of damp patches. These are often noticeable by a slightly darker edge around a stain. If there is plaster, wallpaper, or paint on the walls, it can start to peel. This is also a clear sign of rising damp. Other signs include musty odors and mold.

Rising damp isn't equally persistent in every home. This depends on several factors, such as the thickness of the walls, the porosity of the house's bricks, and the groundwater level. The higher the groundwater level, the more persistent the rising damp. In all cases, it's important to stop rising damp, even if it doesn't (yet) seem persistent. This can change relatively quickly. It's especially important to prevent damage from rising damp. Rising damp also poses significant health risks.

The most significant consequence is the impact on the health of everyone in the household. Damp and mold have a negative impact on health and can cause coughing and shortness of breath, among other things. Of course, rising damp has other consequences, such as structural damage and higher energy consumption.

When you're considering buying a home, you want to be sure there's no rising damp. Persistent rising damp is often easy to spot, but damp problems aren't always immediately apparent. You want certainty before you buy a home. Homekeur is happy to offer this assurance by conducting a building inspection . You'll receive a building report , so you know exactly what the house's current condition is. Schedule an appointment online or contact us for more information or advice.

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!