how do i tell the difference between condensation and rising damp?

Question

i am currently selling my house and possible damp has come up on the survey, i have had someone round and they say it is rising damp, however i am a bit dubious as i think they are just trying to get more money from me. Please help!!

Answer 1

Rising damp will show as a water stain at the base of the wall and it makes the plaster soft and crumbly`.
Condensation is generally found in corners and ceilings and shows as black mould especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

Answer 2

Rising Damp Or Condensation

Answer 3

We bought an old cottage (1870) and the first thing we noticed was in the dining room which had wood panelling half way up the wall had a white V shaped mark in the corners of the room. It started at the bottom going up the wall. Like you we knew it was damp and not sure if it was rising damp or what. We got in 3 builders (one was a friend or ours) and they all agreed it was not rising damp but condensation cause by inadequate heating and lack of ventilation. The double glazed units didn't have opening vents in them and the radiators were not adequate for the size of the rooms. During the winter it was never a problem as the heating was on and kept the damp at bay but when summer arrived it appeared. After a couple of year when we could afford it we changed our heating system from LPG to Oil and got in a new boiler and upgraded all the radiators to proper sizes for the rooms. We then changed the double glazing to windows with air vents and since then have never had anymore problems with condensation. If I were you I wouldn't do anything in a hurry. Get all the information you can and don't feel forced into anything until you are sure what the problems are.

Answer 4

Condensation is water vapour coming out of the air on to cold surfaces such as windows or mirrors. I have seen it on my outside wall in very cold periods (inside the house) - an argument for cavity insulation. It may well have not appeared during hotter weather.

Rising Damp was a brilliant situation comedy starring Leonard Rossiter.

Oh alright then Rising Damp is moisture that rises up through masonary from the ground due to non existant or defective damp coursing or indeed rising water table. It could be present all year round I suppose.

Be very dubious about claims by damp proofing contractors.

You will need to contact a reputable builder or surveyor, it might save you money. Bets wishes and good luck.

Answer 5

If you sent me your address i would send you some litrature.

However, most houses in the uk suffer from condensation rather than rising damp, or penatrative damp, its hard to say without knowing more.

If when you wake up on a morning your windows are wet on the inside that is a good sign of condensation, to remedy this turn the heating down a couple of notches and ventilate the house by opening windows and allowing air to flow round, if you can your windows should be open 24 hours a day even if its only a bit, but whilst in the house open the windows more.
also dont dry clothes on the radiator, ensure toilet seat is kept down, put pan lids on when cooking, ensure tumble dryer is ventalated, if you are doing all this, then the problem would probably be rising or penatrative damp

Answer 6

Hi,
I'm not a suveyor, but if you have problems with damp windows on the inside, or loose wallpaper near the ceiling, it has to be a condensation prob. Stick in a de-humidifier for a day or so.
If the prob seems to be soft & rotting skirting boards, then I would suspect rising damp. Check that no soil etc has risen above the damp-course outside.
Either way, it should be easily put right, with a bit of treatment, and should not affect the sale price too much.
Best of luck,
Bob

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how do i tell the difference between condensation and rising damp?
i am currently selling my house and possible damp has come up on the survey, i have had someone round and they say it is rising damp, however i am a bit dubious as i think they are just trying to get more money from me. Please help!!

Answer 8

Have you ever had a damp course put in.

If not then you may need one....but then you are selling your house....so you need not pay out yet...if the buyer is worried they will negotiate the price on the sale of the house..they may ask for you to get it done and then the offer remains the same or they may ask to pay less so they can afford to get it done.

There would be no harm in getting three quotes and therefore three opinions..any good company would offer this service free of charge....then when your purchaser starts negotiating you are ready and able to determine what level of money is involved....can I add, make sure the quote will include internal re-decoration from skirting to about four foot up.

Another factor...on the offending wall/s on the outside is there any raised ground, flower beds rubbish or faulty rainwater down pipes or guttering......if so the problem could be penetrating damp...water leeching into the brickwork and into the plaster.

With Condensation it is in my very own opinion a problem that we make...poor ventilation, no central heating...steamy bathrooms..steamy kitchens..drying clothes on radiators etc....so you can help to prevent this...if you have mould growth clean it with bleach to kill the spores...increase ventilation...open a window...use extractor fans etc and you should see the problem improved.

I rented my beautifull victorian house out for two years, I had to spend £10,000 to re-decorate the interior due to condensation...a problem that I had never experienced whilst I lived in it prior to lettting..but the damage was simply caused by the lifestyle of the tenants, once restored to its original order I never had the problem again...but thats because I keep it ventilated.

Good luck, do it now and repair any damage at your own cost or wait for the purchaser to negotiate a reduction....if its so bad though that YOU notice it you may not get a sale.

Answer 9

Condensation is caused by lack of air circulating. Do you keep all the windows closed and have you blocked up the air vents. Rising damp usually occurs when there is no damp proofing in the house, usually older properties. Look in Yellow Pages and get it checked out by proper surveyor, small price to pay, usually £100.

Answer 10

Condensation looks a lot like....condensation where as rising damn ( in paint) will look like bubbles or should... and normally will be more of a solid like wet appearance.