Why Do the Interior Walls Feel Damp in the Winter?

Newly Constructed Homes

• If you are experiencing dampness in a newly constructed house, a likely cause is water used in the construction of the house still drying out. Plaster can take a long time to thoroughly dry. Heating and ventilation will assist in the drying of these areas. Open windows and doors as often as possible to encourage air to move through the house, and buy or rent a dehumidifier, which extracts water from the air.

Rising Dampness

• If the dampness is at the bottom of ground floor walls, the cause could be rising dampness. Several causes account for this, such as the level of external ground being higher than the internal floor level, lack of ventilation under suspended floors or regular flooding, to name just a few. Rising dampness should be treated as soon as possible by a professional.

Exterior Damage

• Sometimes, interior dampness can be caused by damage on the exterior of the building. If water is allowed to leak unchecked around the exterior of the house, it will eventually leak through to the interior. Inspect the roof of the house for cracked, broken or missing roof tiles, check guttering for blockages which could cause water to overflow and examine window frames to ensure they are properly sealed.

Condensation

• Condensation is caused when moist air comes into contact with air or surfaces that are at a lower temperature. Everyday occurrences such as boiling a kettle, drying laundry and even breathing add moisture to the air. In the winter, condensation can be caused by the outside being significantly colder than the inside. Wipe away condensation every morning; do not allow it to just sit there. Remove any existing mold with either a fungicidal wash or a bleach solution, and if you choose to redecorate, select a fungicidal paint. Always open windows when cooking, showering or drying laundry; using a dehumidifier can also help with the problem.