One of the most common misconceptions that we see from our clients is that damp only develops in properties during the colder winter months.
In reality however, this is certainly not the case. In fact, damp can develop at any point of the year, including during spring and even summer.
So, even if it may be warm and sunny outside, you shouldn’t ignore any warning signs of damp.
Below, our team of damp proofing experts have shared their guide on how warm weather can affect damp levels in your property.
Does damp still occur in warm weather?
The short answer is: yes, absolutely.
Even during periods of warm and dry weather, damp can still develop in your property.
This is because, although moist external conditions are major causes of damp during the winter, in the summer, damp is most commonly caused by controllable factors. Typically, these include poor ventilation, high humidity and rising damp.
What’s more, during periods of warm weather, the symptoms of damp issues can actually become more noticeable and more problematic. For example, damp can smell much more strongly in warmer conditions.
Does warm weather worsen existing damp issues?
In some cases, warmer weather can actually exacerbate an existing damp issue.
This is because warm external conditions can encourage moisture in the ground to evaporate, and actually increase the pace of rising damp through porous property walls. Without sufficient damp proof coursing in place, this issue can quickly escalate during warmer weather.
In warmer weather, you may also see other types of damp (e.g. condensation and penetrating damp) become visible in your property for the first time, or appear to worsen.
It’s also important to note that, if a damp issue developed during the wetter and colder months, but was unnoticed or left untreated, then it can become a much more destructive, and expensive issue in the warmer months.
As the moisture evaporates at a faster rate in warmer conditions, the symptoms of damp (e.g. musty smells and chalky residue patches) can appear more quickly than usual.
You may also find that costly-side effects develop at a much quicker pace in warm weather. These can include peeling or bubbling paint and plaster, mould growth, and warped wood (including floorboards and window frames).
If you do notice any of these issues in your property, or want to protect your property from these risks before the summer, speak to British Damp Proofing about our damp survey and damp proofing services.
How to avoid damp in warm weather
You can avoid these issues during warmer periods of the year by improving your ventilation (keeping windows open regularly, and using extractor fans or a dehumidifier), keeping your gutters well-maintained, and speaking to a damp specialist about preventative maintenance.
In fact, the Spring/Summer period is actually the best time to get a damp survey and carry out any damp proofing work that your property may require.
At British Damp Proofing, we offer comprehensive damp surveys, damp treatment and damp prevention services throughout the year.
By enlisting our team now – before temperatures start to rise – we can identify and treat any damp issues in your property, before the side-effects start to worsen, and any damage becomes more costly to repair. To find out more about our services, or to book a damp survey for your property, the British Damp Proofing team is on hand to help.