Damp can cause destruction in properties of all shapes and sizes, and can easily occur if precautions aren’t taken, especially in moisture prone rooms like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas. However, with the right know-how householders everywhere can make a stand against dreaded damp.

Home decoration such as wall coverings and paint are particularly vulnerable to the nasty effects of damp. Whether your home is affected by condensation, rising damp or penetrating damp you can take steps to prevent damp from ruining your home interior and its atmosphere. Damp can also cause serious health problems for all who live in the property, so making all the necessary changes now could just help your family in the future.

Check out our top tips for preventing damp from destroying your home décor and enjoy your home for years to come.

The main cause of penetrating damp is building defects on the outside of the property, these essentially let excess moisture into your home causing water staining and mould to develop on your walls and ceilings.

Whilst penetrating damp is the most difficult to pinpoint, making repairs to problem areas around your home can prevent damp developing throughout the wider property. Pay particular attention to your roof when making your list of repairs as faulty render, flashings, pointing and gutters are the main culprit of damp disasters.

Improve your damp proof course

Rising damp is a serious issue for older properties and is the most costly to repair, so taking steps to improve your damp proof course could just mean you’re not out of pocket in the future. Rising damp enters properties from the ground and rises upwards resulting in damp patches, mould growth and mildew throughout your wider home.

Rising damp causes your wallpaper and paint to peel and skirting boards to crumble and decay so your home décor looks shabby and unkempt. No amount of decorating will resolve rising damp and it is recommended that you pinpoint the source of the problem and resolve it before re-decorating. The damp proof course acts as a physical barrier between the inside and outside of your property preventing moisture from seeping into your home. When the damp proof course becomes damaged, it must be repaired or replaced to prevent the development of damp.

Remedial work or replacement of your damp proof course is an expensive job and should only be carried out by a qualified tradesperson.

Upgrade your ventilation

When excess moisture created in your home via everyday activities such as cooking, bathing and washing clothes has nowhere to go, condensation forms on walls, windows and other surfaces, which can be particularly damaging over time. Upgrading the ventilation systems within your property and using extractor fans in high humidity areas can prevent damp forming and let excess moisture escape.

Dehumidifiers can also work wonders for removing excess moisture from your home’s atmosphere, and offer a relatively cost effective solution to your problem before damp has the chance to strike!

This post was written by Martin Davies from the www.airandwatercentre.com. He enjoys sharing his home improvement expertise across the web.