A tide mark low on the wall
A wavy, stained band, usually within about a metre of the floor, is the classic sign. The wall above it is often dry.
SIGNS, CAUSES & TREATMENT
RISING DAMP
IN CUMBRIAN HOMES.
A tide mark along the bottom of a wall? Peeling paint above the skirting? Here’s how to tell whether it’s rising damp, and what to do about it.
Arrange a free surveyHow to spot
rising damp.
Moisture in the ground can travel up through porous brick and stone, much like a sponge. As it dries out of the wall it leaves salts behind, which damage plaster and paint and keep drawing moisture from the air.
Salts, crumbling plaster & peeling paint
Look for white, fluffy deposits on the surface, plaster that sounds hollow or crumbles, and paint or wallpaper lifting just above the skirting.
Rotting skirting & a musty smell
Skirting boards and floor timbers in contact with damp masonry can soften and decay. A persistent musty smell in ground-floor rooms is another clue.
Is it really
rising damp?
Often mistaken for rising damp
- Bridging: soil, paths, patios or render built up above the damp-proof course
- Leaking gutters, downpipes or drains soaking the base of the wall
- Plumbing leaks from pipes, radiators or a washing machine
- Condensation behind furniture on cold outside walls
- Old salts left in plaster from a problem that has already been fixed
What you can check today
- Is the ground outside at least 150mm, about two bricks, below the damp-proof course?
- Are gutters and downpipes clear, with water draining away from the wall?
- Are air bricks clear of soil, plants and debris?
- Does the damp get worse after heavy rain? That points to water getting in rather than rising.
- Avoid sealing the wall with waterproof paint, which can push moisture somewhere else.
How we
treat it.
Find the real cause
We look at the wall, the ground outside, gutters, drainage and the way the house is built. Bridging and leaks are sorted first, as they’re often the whole problem.
Treat what’s needed
Where moisture is genuinely rising, a remedial damp-proof course can be installed. Older stone walls may need a different, breathable approach. We explain the options before quoting.
Replaster & dry out
Salt-damaged plaster usually needs removing and replacing with a suitable system. We agree the drying time and when it’s safe to decorate.
Rising damp help
across north & west Cumbria.
Send your postcode to confirm availability, including nearby towns and villages.
Check availabilityCarlisle & the north
Carlisle, Brampton, Longtown, Wigton
West Cumbria & the coast
Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Aspatria, Egremont, Cleator Moor
Penrith & the northern Lakes
Penrith, Keswick, Cockermouth
Rising damp
FAQs.
How high does rising damp go?
Usually no more than about a metre above the floor, though it varies with the wall and the conditions. Damp much higher than that, or on upstairs walls, usually points to another cause such as a leak or condensation.
Can rising damp affect upstairs walls?
No. Rising damp comes from the ground, so it only affects walls at ground-floor level or below. Damp upstairs needs checking for leaks, penetrating damp or condensation.
Do older stone cottages get rising damp?
They can, and many were built without a damp-proof course. But traditional stone walls with lime mortar are meant to breathe, and cement render, gypsum plaster or plastic paints can trap moisture and cause damp that looks like rising damp. The right fix depends on how the wall was built.
Will a dehumidifier fix rising damp?
No. A dehumidifier dries the air, not the moisture coming up through the wall. It can help a room feel drier while the cause is sorted, but it won’t stop rising damp.
How long does a wall take to dry after treatment?
Thick masonry dries slowly, often over months rather than weeks, depending on the wall and the weather. We’ll talk you through the drying and decorating timeline for your home.
How much does rising damp treatment cost?
It depends on the cause, the length of wall affected, how the wall is built and the replastering needed. Our damp proofing costs guide explains what affects the price, and the survey and quote are free.
YOUR HOME. A CLEARER WAY FORWARD.
BOOK YOUR FREE
SURVEY OR QUOTE.
Damp, ventilation or plastering. Tell us what you need and arrange a free, no-obligation survey or quotation.
