Penetrating Damp

Penetrating damp occurs when water enters a property from the outside through defects in the building envelope.

Unlike rising damp, which usually affects walls at low level, penetrating damp can appear at any height depending on where water is getting in.

Common entry points include damaged brickwork, defective pointing, cracked render, leaking gutters, roofing defects, failed seals around doors and windows, and problems with external drainage.

Typical symptoms can include:

• Damp patches on internal walls or ceilings
• Staining after rainfall
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• Blown plaster
• Mould growth on affected areas
• Damp around chimney breasts or window reveals
• Water staining near ceilings or external walls
• Musty smells

The location and pattern of dampness often help indicate where the moisture is entering.

Penetrating damp can result from a range of external defects, including:

• Defective pointing
• Cracked or porous brickwork
• Damaged render
• Blocked or leaking gutters and downpipes
• Roof covering defects
• Faulty flashing
• Poorly sealed doors and windows
• Cavity wall issues
• External ground or drainage problems

Correct diagnosis is important because the visible damp inside the building is often only the symptom of an external problem.

PPS investigates the likely route of water ingress before recommending repairs.

Depending on the property, this may include:

• Internal inspection of affected areas
• External inspection of the building fabric
• Moisture testing
• Assessment of damp patterns
• Inspection of gutters, rainwater goods and drainage
• Checking pointing, render and masonry condition
• Inspection around windows, doors and roof junctions
• Identification of associated timber or plaster damage

The objective is to identify both the source of water ingress and the repairs needed to stop it recurring.

The appropriate treatment depends on the cause.

Remedial work may include:

• Repointing masonry
• Repairing cracks in render or external walls
• Gutter and downpipe repairs
• Roof repairs
• Sealing around doors and windows
• Localised waterproofing measures
• Plaster repairs and reinstatement
• Repair of any associated timber damage

PPS takes a practical repair-led approach based on the cause of the problem, rather than treating only the internal symptoms.

Penetrating damp can sometimes be mistaken for condensation or other forms of damp.

Likewise, internal staining may continue long after the original water ingress has occurred.

That is why PPS investigates the pattern, location and likely source of moisture before recommending remedial work.

This helps ensure the correct repairs are carried out and reduces the risk of the problem returning.

If left unresolved, penetrating damp can lead to:

• Damaged plaster and decorations
• Mould growth
• Salt contamination
• Timber decay
• Damage to skirting boards and joinery
• Ongoing deterioration of internal finishes

Addressing the external defect early can help limit the extent of internal repairs required.

Our regular service area extends approximately between:

• Newcastle to the north
• Barnard Castle to the west
• Northallerton to the south
• Saltburn and the North Yorkshire coast to the east

Within this area, PPS regularly works in towns and communities, including:

• Stockton-on-Tees
• Middlesbrough
• Hartlepool
• Billingham
• Yarm
• Eaglescliffe
• Thornaby
• Ingleby Barwick
• Wynyard
• Sedgefield
• Darlington
• Stokesley
• Guisborough
• Redcar
• Saltburn
• Northallerton
• Barnard Castle
• Newcastle

If you have damp patches appearing on walls or ceilings, especially after rainfall, contact PPS to arrange an appropriate inspection or survey.