How To Protect Your Home Against Damp

Unfortunately, damp is one of the most common problems, and arguably the most frustrating too, that affects properties here in the UK. The presence of moisture where it shouldn’t be in a property can lead to homeowners having to spend a lot of money and time trying to reverse the damages caused by damp, particularly as the weather gets colder outside and condensation becomes much more common inside.

Thankfully, there are lots of different things that you can do as a homeowner to help protect your home against damp, some of which are much more straightforward than people realise. So, to help anyone who is worried about damp as we head into the winter months this year, below is a list of different things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of experiencing damp and the many other problems that are associated with it.

Ensure that your home is well ventilated

Due to the fact that damp is caused by moisture, you should ensure that you’re always providing somewhere for moisture to escape and this is vital to protecting your home. In high moisture areas, like your bathroom or your kitchen, you should ensure that you have adequate ventilation, such as an extractor fan, and that you’re using this when required.

Keep on top of your roofline maintenance

You may not be surprised to hear that damp can be caused by broken roofline products, such as fascias, soffits and guttering. If rainwater, for example, gets into your home through your roof, it is likely to cause lots of damage. Ideally, you should ensure that you’re maintaining these on a regular basis and keeping them in good condition so that they’re able to do their job properly.

Check the seals on your windows

Many experience problems with damp specifically around the windows in their home and this is commonly due to the fact that the seals on their windows are failing. Thankfully, if required, you can simply use a silicone sealant to go over the window seals which will then help to reduce drafts and problems with condensation and, in turn, keep damp out of your home.

You may also find it beneficial to check seals in other places too, such as around your shower tray and bath or any other plumbing fixtures. Going over these can also help to reduce damp.

Use a damp proof or damp seal paint

When decorating, you should consider using a damp proof paint instead of a standard interior paint. This paint features a water-resistant agent which takes care of surface moisture and decreases the likelihood of damp occurring. Even using a special bathroom or kitchen paint in high moisture areas can make a difference too.

If you’ve previously had problems with damp, then you can use a damp seal paint instead which can be applied directly to damp walls and ceilings and will cover any damp stains.

Try to remove any excess moisture

It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to require some extra help when removing moisture from their home, especially during the winter months and simply purchasing a dehumidifier should do the job. Of course, you should ensure that you’re using the dehumidifier in areas where the damp is usually found, this way it will be most effective.

Act quickly to stop spreading

Whilst prevention is always better than cure and you should do all you can to reduce your chances of getting damp in the first place, it is important to note that you should act quickly if you notice even the smallest bit of damp. Under favourable conditions, damp can spread really fast and cause detrimental damage. So, never put off dealing with any damp areas.

Protecting your home against damp

All in all, there is no denying that damp is something that all homeowners want to avoid and hopefully, the information above will help to prevent you from experiencing damage in this regard and needing expensive repair work. As mentioned above, problems with damp tend to be much more common in the winter months when it’s colder outside, so if you’re wanting to protect your home, now is the perfect time to make some changes.

Should you be searching for a local decorators merchant that can provide you with the products you need to protect your home against damp, please visit the Decor Express website. We have a huge range of essentials that will be beneficial to you in this regard and whether you’re looking for Mapei sealant for your bathroom or Thompsons damp seal paint for your living room, you can always rely on us. If you’re after some professional advice about which products are best to purchase, our team will happily provide you with this too.