Damp Home and Rising Damp Solutions

Name: Extract Air
Address: 9 Hillend Pl, Sydney, Wakeley NSW, 2176, Australia
Telephone: 0405 343 999
Price range: $$$

12/12/2020

If you have noticed any damp patches, tide marks or mould growth in your home it can be worrying. These problems are especially common in older buildings, particularly those close by the sea where capillary action results in water entering hard to reach areas of the home.

A damp house could result from a number of conditions in the home that mean your residence is not properly ventilated. There are a number of things you can do to reduce instances of damp air in your home. I have compiled the following guide to help you damp proof your home.

Identify Problem Areas

Your laundry is one area that produces excessive amounts of moisture that, if not drained properly, can result in large amounts of dampness becoming regularly present in your home. This can lead to mould growth which, in turn, can lead to respiratory problems and even structural damage.

Your washing machine and dryer should send air and moisture outside via an extractor fan. If you don’t have one installed it’s worth doing so, otherwise moisture will end up on the ceiling and on the walls and skirting boards of your laundry.

Plumbing and pipes within your house are another area of moisture production. Check under your sinks in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry and under the house for excessive moisture production. If the piping, which starts under the house, is creating excess moisture, a subfloor mechanical ventilation system will solve the problem effectively.

Make sure that all your extractor fans are wider than 150mm, otherwise they won’t be effective at removing moisture. The exception to this is standalone toilets. Ensure they’re clean and that your ducting is not damaged to any degree.

Furthermore, check to see if your subfloor vents are blocked by any dirt or detritus. If so, they will require cleaning in order to make sure rising damp and mould growth isn’t present in your house. It’s also worth cleaning your subfloor floor area for the same reason.

Easy Ways To Reduce Dampness In The Home

If you have checked and remedied the aforementioned problematic areas of your home then what follows logically is to perform some other manoeuvres to reduce damp problems.

Improve the air quality in your regularly by opening windows for 10-15 minutes each morning.
Dry washing outside to reduce moisture build up in the laundry (if you’re not making use of a dryer).
Use inline fans in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry to remove excess moisture from showers, cooking and washing and drying clothes.
Crack open the window frame a couple of centimetres when you are showering to help remove moisture from the air in the bathroom.
In Winter, move furniture 10cm away from walls to reduce moisture build up in the crack between furniture and the walls.
Leave wardrobes slightly open to reduce moisture build up amongst your clothes.

Investments To Make To Reduce Dampness In The Home

First and foremost, you should consult a builder like Extract Air to discuss investment in a subfloor ventilation fan system. This will help reduce instances of rising damp and mould growth. Doing this will ensure fresh air is circulating underneath your house.

You may also invest in a shower timer to keep the fan running for a few minutes after you have finished washing.

You can seal damp concrete with a layer of silicone to prevent moisture draining upwards into the house.

You can also invest in a thick polythene sheet beneath the house to trap moisture in the ground and prevent air under the house from becoming damp.

Contact Extract Air For All Subfloor Ventilation Systems in Sydney

Subfloor ventilation systems provide a cross breeze under the house which reduces instances of moisture escaping the ground and damaging the structural integrity of your house. Vents in the walls under your house are complemented with mechanical fans to improve cross breeze and provide a drier environment for you to live in.

If you are serious about reducing the levels of dampness and moisture in your home, contact me at Extract Air for a professional solution. I have been in the business for over 20 years and have serviced many happy clients all across Sydney and the surrounds.

My underfloor damp solutions are effective and affordable. Call me on 0405 343 999 to arrange an inspection of your property and to receive a quote. I am available to install damp proof course and subfloor ventilation in Sydney between 8:00AM and 6:00PM Monday to Friday, I look forward to receiving your call.