Author: MACJ-ABCHI

Introduction:

When it comes to maintaining a healthy and safe living environment, addressing dampness in your home is of utmost importance. Dampness can lead to a range of issues, including mold growth, property damage including structural, and human health risks.

Dampness in a property is a common issue that can have detrimental effects on both the structural integrity of the building and the health of its occupants. Whether it is due to seepage, leaks, condensation, poor ventilation or due to other causes, dampness can lead to a host of problems such as mold growth, decay, and damage to the building materials.

Conducting a damp / moisture inspection in your home is a proactive step towards identifying and resolving damp-related problems. That is why damp inspection is crucial to identify and address damp issues promptly. In this article, we will explore the significance of damp or moisture inspections in your home and the benefits it offers.

Common problems related to Moisture in the Home

Wet areas in your home are more vulnerable to water damage; so experienced and knowledgeable inspectors pay special attention to checking bathrooms kitchens and balconies. Some of the common problems include:

• In bathrooms, damage to wall tiles and flooring may be caused by inadequate or poor waterproofing.
• Leaking taps, pipes, toilets and other plumbing issues may result in significant water damage to cabinets, wall and floors. It can also percolate to peripheral areas.
• In kitchens and other wet areas, the inspector will pay specific attention to areas underneath shelves, inside cupboards, as also the skirting along walls for signs of overflows, sinks as well as leaks arising from improper plumbing installation.
• Absence of proper drainage or improper slope leading to water accumulation can on the roof or balcony or wet areas can lead to seepage/dampness.

How to identify the source of dampness?

• Damp walls feel cold to the touch; it also causes the flaking of paint and peeling off wallpaper. Additionally, mold and fungal growth form greenish-grey spots on the walls. Such wall dampness is caused by constant water leakage / seepage, maybe from the roof, leaking water tanks, or seepage from exterior walls, balcony or terrace or windows.
• Water may seep from constant leakage from a plumbing installation or water collected on the roof or upper floor through the ceiling to cause discoloration in paint or create visible brown patches in the ceiling.
• Areas like bathrooms, kitchens, store rooms, or closed spaces are usually not well-ventilated and are a source of A strong musty smell within these areas is a clear indication of dampness.
• Checking the tile grout in moisture-laden areas like bathrooms and kitchens for any kind of mold growth. The mold shows the grouting’s waterproofing is not adequate and might let water seep into the floor or walls.
• Black mold may develop around the frames of wooden and uPVC windows due to water seepage through gaps between the window frame and the wall

Damp or Moisture Inspections play a crucial role in identifying the source and addressing moisture issues in your home. It detects the actual source of moisture with the help of advanced thermal imaging technology. Let us know further in detail about its advantages.

Benefits of Damp inspection for Ensuring a Healthy and Safe Living Environment

• Early Detection and Prevention

One of the primary reasons to have routine / annual damp inspections is the early detection and prevention of moisture-related issues. Dampness can occur due to various factors, including leaks, condensation, or poor ventilation. By conducting thorough inspections, professionals can identify signs of dampness in its early stages before it evolves into a more significant problem. This allows us for speedy action to be taken, preventing further damage to the property and reducing the risk of costly repairs down the line.

• Maintaining Structural Integrity

Moisture can cause destruction to the structural integrity of a building. It can also cause electrical & mechanical damages and become grave safety issues. When dampness infiltrates the walls, floors, or ceiling, it can weaken the materials and reduce the stability of the structure. With time, this can lead to damage which not only endangers the safety of the property but also decreases its value. Moisture / Damp inspection can identify areas vulnerable to moisture damage, allowing for timely repairs and maintenance to preserve the structural integrity of the property.

• Prevention of Health Hazards

Dampness in a property has significant adverse impact on the health of its occupants. Excessive moisture provides an ideal environment for the growth of mold and other harmful microorganisms. These can release spores and allergens into the air, leading to respiratory issues like asthma, allergies, skin issues and other health problems. By conducting damp inspection, potential sources of moisture can be identified, and appropriate measures can be taken, ensuring a healthy living environment for residents.

• Protecting Property Value

As a property owner, it is essential to prioritize the maintenance and well-being of your investment. Investing in damp inspection can help you maintain the value of your property. By proactively addressing any damp issues beforehand, you can present a well-maintained and desirable property, increasing its market value and attracting potential buyers or tenants.

• Avoiding Unpleasant Smell

As mentioned above, untreated mold due to dampness, can create an unlikable and musty smell around your home. You may experience an unpleasant smell but not know where it is coming from; this may be because the damp patch or mold spores are hidden behind the wall or furniture or anywhere. The smell of dampness and mold can become strong and overwhelming in your home; you do not want it to stop you from having guests around or interfere with your everyday life. Luckily, with the correct damp treatment carried out by a professional, you should be able to get rid of the smell fairly easily. Just remember that when it comes to dampness, out of sight should not mean out of mind.

• Improving Indoor Air Quality

Dampness and mold growth can significantly degrade indoor air quality. Mold spores, along with other airborne allergens, can lead to respiratory problems and worsen existing conditions such as asthma or allergies. A damp inspection helps identify areas of concern and enables you to take the necessary steps to improve indoor air quality. This may include implementing better ventilation, installing natural dehumidifiers like indoor plants, or repairing leaks and moisture sources.

• Prevent Termite Infestation

Termites are destructive pests that can cause significant damage to your property. They feed on wood and cellulose materials, making homes with wooden structures particularly vulnerable. While there are various methods to prevent termite infestations, one important aspect is conducting regular damp inspections. Dampness provides an ideal environment for termites to thrive, as they require moisture to survive. With damp inspection, you can find the termite infestation & their source to give you a long term solution.

• Improving the appearance of your Home

Painting over damp patches can cause the paint to crack and deteriorate and often, the black patches can show through paint. Instead of wasting your time and money on products in an attempt to cover up damp patches, it is best to first get your home inspected thoroughly.

Conclusion

Damp / Moisture Inspections are a vital aspect of property maintenance that should not be overlooked. By detecting dampness & its sources in its early stages, helps preserving the structural integrity, preventing health hazards, improving energy efficiency, and protecting property value. It helps you identify damp / seepage / leakage sources, giving you long term – least cost – least destructive solutions. It will save property owners from significant expenses and ensure a safe and comfortable living environment. If you haven’t had a damp inspection recently, it is time to consider scheduling one to safeguard your investment and the well-being of those who reside in your property.

 External Reference Link:
1.https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/opinions_layman/en/indoor-air-pollution/l-2/8-building-dampness.htm

2.https://myfreshair.in/indoor-air-pollution-one-of-the-top-10-disease-risk-factors-in-india/

Internal  Reference Link :

3.https://macj-abuyerschoice.com/how-home-inspection-solves-the-problems-of-waterproofing-companies/

4. https://macj-abuyerschoice.com/damp-seepage-assessment-with-solutions-through-thermal-imaging-technology/

Ever wondered how damp in your house is playing with your health? Yes, the dampness on the wall here and there not only spoil the look of your home but impact the health of your family too. India being a tropical country, the building structures here are exposed to a high amount of moisture and humidity. Thus, they become more susceptible to damp development. When you are living in such a home, one thing leads to another and before you even know, your health is at risk too. Research suggests that on an average, we spend around 16 hours in our home. So, it is easy to apprehend how much at risk we are of developing health disorders due to damp.

Common human health hazards associated with a damp, moisture-laden house include:

• Allergic Rhinitis: Characterized by frequent sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes, and post-nasal drip, allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory condition of the mucus membrane inside the nose. It is caused by viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Some of the external triggers of allergic rhinitis include humidity 3 chemicals, and air pollution (indoor or outdoor) etc.
• Skin diseases: Most of the skin infections are caused by fungus. Fungal spores are the causal agent of these diseases. To understand more, click here 4 .
• Migraine:One of the most common triggers of migraine is the weather. Whenever there is high (or low) humidity, there is a change in the oxygen levels in the air. The air becomes saturated with moisture in high humidity conditions reducing oxygen levels significantly. As a result, it
  becomes difficult for the brain of the people with migraine to receive the right amount of oxygen to function properly. Result? – Unusual expansion or contraction of the blood vessels to compensate for the lack of oxygen, exerting tremendous pressure on the nerve fibres. Therefore, indoor humidity too may trigger a migraine 5 headache.
• Depression:Dampness and growth of fungus in poorly ventilated homes have been long associated with depression 6. One should be careful about it before it takes the turn of clinical depression.
• Upper respiratory (nasal and throat) symptoms
• Asthma symptoms in sensitized persons with asthma

What are the reasons and how does damp wreaks havoc on our health?

1. Flourishing Pathogens

When you have damp in your home, it means excess moisture has been accumulated. Guess what, it is best for enabling pathogens and all kinds of germs to flourish and reproduce in higher numbers. Besides viruses and bacteria, other microorganisms like fungi and algae also proliferate in a moist environment. These microorganisms, being pathogenic, bring forth health disorders of various types. They release harmful chemicals in the air that pollute the indoor atmosphere or act as allergens causing mild to severe irritations in different parts of the body. If dampness persists these irritations tend to become chronic in nature.

2.Humid conditions make transmission faster

If multiplying by leaps and bounds was not enough, the transmission of viruses and bacteria and other microbes is facilitated in humid conditions. When you present them a humid indoor environment, they tend to spread exponentially.

Look at what’s happening in the current pandemic situation! Earlier it was said that COVID-19 can flourish only in cold climates. But more recent evidence shows that it can be transmitted in all areas including hot and humid places 1. Actually, virus thrives inside the human body the normal temperature of which is 36.5-degree to 37-degree Celsius. This is regardless of the external temperature and weather conditions. So, apart from maintaining basic hygiene, it is advisable to keep your house as damp-free as possible to restrict the transmission of viruses.

3. Flourishing dust mites

Dust mites are popular in households where the temperature is considerably high and the moisture level is also in excess. They are the catalyst to give rise to allergy, stuffy nose, respiratory problems and asthma. So, if you have experienced stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and breathing problem then you might want to look into the condition of your house. These symptoms can further give birth to health problems that
will cost you in the long run. It is better to invest some money in your house now or at least take suitable care.

4. Welcoming pests

Well, mosquitoes and flies infested every part of the house, spiders spinning cobwebs in every corner, the occasional screeching of mice or musk-rats- is this how you picture your home? Damp build-up welcomes all these pests and other unwanted ones too. They have a directly proportionate relationship with damp which means the greater the damp in the house, the more is the number of pests. Now
would you want to live in a house with humans or disgusting pets? If the former option is your choice then get rid of this unhealthy living condition immediately. It affects your immune system, breathing pattern and slowly destroys your health.

5. Cold climate

Several types of research have shown that a cold indoor climate is the result of dampness in those regions where it is not naturally cold outside. Unmaintained house, damaged roofs and walls are the common causes but it could also be because of the lack of proper ventilation. Humans can stay overall healthy if the environment in which he or she is living is dry with optimum moisture content in the air. If
the house becomes a place where it is difficult to breathe then it is obvious that the environment isn’t right.

Cold indoor atmosphere adversely affects respiratory health. A significant number of people in the world suffer from asthma 2 which is often linked with damp indoors. Chronic coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulty are the health problems which lead a person towards asthma. And asthma could be life-threatening. It just gets worse if not treated in the right way with the right amount of attention.

To make your life a little easy, here are some common signs of damp to watch out:

Damp patches : A patch is a sign of damp commonly seen on the ceiling, walls, behind the WC in the bathroom etc. Damp patches on walls are generally the result of penetration 7, where water from outside gets into the brickwork through gaps and cracks

Musty damp smell : The first and the foremost thing about damps are they are musty and smell bad. The freshness of a room gets evaporated with damp walls. So, always keep an eye on this.

Peeling and flaky paint : The most common thing in a house that has been ignored. Once you start noticing this, get a professional inspection done and get it fixed.

Cold in-house atmosphere : Do you wonder why your house feels cold be it summer or winter? Well, it’s the damp dude!

Discoloured walls : Discoloration is characterized by localized darkening of the original color of walls

You can read this article for a better understanding of the same.

You should take proactive steps to reduce indoor air pollution because if you want to live a healthy life, your home is where you should start. Our environment plays a major role in our mental and physical well-being. So when it’s damp and dirty, it is not only creating a negative space you are living in but also and most importantly it is affecting your health in a way you might not anticipate. In such cases, it is sooner the better. Go for a professional damp inspection which will help in detecting the source of dampness with help of thermal imaging technology and take decisive action to eliminate damp from your house at the earliest.

You should take proactive steps to reduce indoor air pollution because if you want to live a healthy life, your home is where you should start. Our environment plays a major role in our mental and physical well-being. So when it’s damp and dirty, it is not only creating a negative space you are living in but also and most importantly it is affecting your health in a way you might not anticipate. In such cases, it is sooner the better. Go for a professional damp inspection which will help in detecting the source of dampness with help of thermal imaging technology and take decisive action to eliminate damp from your house at the earliest.

Reference links used:
1. https://macj-abuyerschoice.com/damp-seepage-assessment-with-solutions-through-thermal-imaging-technology/

2. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlCcwstyMyXdpFKNRukh8W-
_cAg5RyBTNxmZIfqr2hyBBCbIjRM448YaArGVEALw_wcB#climate

3. https://theconversation.com/health-check-how-does-household-mould-affect-your-health-
48341#:~:text=Inhaling%20mould%20fragments%20or%20spores,health%20problems%20such%20a
s%20asthma.

4. https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-rhinitis#risk-factors

5. https://www.penn-jersey.com/article-household-mold-skin-
conditions#:~:text=Sporotrichosis%20is%20a%20skin%20infection,and%20crawl%20spaces%20of%2
0houses.

6. https://blog.themigrainereliefcenter.com/humidity-and-migraines-what-you-should-know

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1994167/

8. https://www.rd.com/article/damp-walls-whats-the-problem/