The damage of humidity
Rising damp is generated by the presence of water underground. This combines with seasonal phenomena such as sun and rain as well as the quality of the materials and their absorption capacity. Therefore the main cause underlying the formation of this type of humidity is to be found in the contact between the structure and the ground.
It is important to underline that the water present in the ground is saline: salts can cause deterioration of the plaster since they dissolve in contact with water. Furthermore, as the salt crystallizes, it increases its size and causes the walls to peel and create efflorescence.
In which cases do I have rising damp?
The cases in which the formation of rising damp is most frequently encountered are: houses not raised from the ground, unventilated houses on the ground floor and houses located on underground floors without a trench.
In fact, often the ground floor attic rests directly on the ground without ventilation while other times it can simply happen that the insulation is damaged or even missing. In these cases the humidity takes over and it is very difficult to eliminate it.
What damage does it cause?
Among the most common damages caused by rising damp is certainly the formation of mold on the plaster of your home. Mold is a fungus that feeds on humidity and if environmental humidity is added to rising humidity, there is also the phenomenon of surface condensation which creates unhealthy situations that help mold to proliferate. The harmful spores then cause discomfort and soak into wardrobes and therefore also into clothes.
The high presence of humidity can also have negative effects from a financial point of view: it requires a greater commitment of energy to heat the rooms adequately.