Faulty guttering and pipes can be a major cause of dampness in walls. Instead of the rain water flowing through the pipes and into the drains the water collects in one place and can cause dampness, often characterised by a stain or tide mark. All of this water can then soak into the wall, which when frozen, will expand and cause cracking to the walls. If rain or snow get behind damaged lead flashings on extensions or conservatories it can create temporary leaks. If this happens dampness will begin to eat away at your home so you will need to get a professional in to cure the problem.
Continuously dripping overflow pipes from tanks and toilet cisterns are another major reason for finding condensation and dampness in walls. If the overflow problem is not rectified it can soak the external walls, ultimately causing dampness in the home. Brickwork has a sponge like action that allows water to travel up to 1 metre higher than the actual damp proof level. This is known as rising damp.
Cavity wall tie failure allows water penetration through mortar joints and lets water travel across the corroded wall tie throughout the internal brickwork. This type of failure is usually the result of either a construction defect or natural aging and deterioration of the property and usually manifests in bulging, leaning or bowing of the walls. Modernisation and alterations to the building can cause debris to fall into the cavity, allowing moisture to penetrate these materials and ultimately make contact with the interior, causing dampness in walls. When cavity wall insulation is pumped through the external walls it can also cause build ups of debris, creating a bridge to the interior, ultimately causing further dampness in the home.
If there is not a barrier between the inner and outer skins of a wall, solid walls will allow dampness to penetrate through. This also applies to lime cob walls and can become extremely porous. It is important to regularly check the exterior walls for any cracks and leaks. Any moisture that penetrates into the structure of the building will cause dampness in walls and will need repairing as soon as possible, allowing the area to dry out for several months. It takes around 1 month to dry out 1 inch of wall thickness on average.