Living Room (EE)

This type of damp is caused by water from the ground coming up into the home. Rising damp will usually affect basements and ground floor rooms. It is usually found in older properties and can be caused by problems with the building’s foundations, blocked drains, or a missing or faulty damp proof course. Rising damp can often be seen all year round (usually as a ‘tidemark’ low down on the wall) but is can be more noticeable in winter. You might also notice wallpaper or paint peeling off, crumbling wall plaster in that area and skirting boards going soft.

Rising damp means that your home is more likely to have excess moisture in it, which can lead to mould growth. Mould can pose health risks. Breathing in mould spores can cause respiratory problems and can worsen existing health conditions such as allergies and asthma. Some groups of people, such as children and babies, and people with medical conditions such as asthma can be at greater risk, so it is important to tackle damp and mould.

There is also the risk of damage to your home if the problem is left untreated, which can lead to high repair costs. 

£££ Treating rising damp often requires specialist diagnosis and treatment. Check out the Good Home Lincs pages on Finding Trusted Tradespeople and, as carrying out work on your home can be expensive, look at the Good Home Lincs pages on Paying for Works for information on how to finance repairs. If you rent your home, you may not be responsible for meeting these costs. Shelter has information on your landlord’s responsibilities Damp and mould in private rented homes

Read the Good Home Lincs Guide to condensation, damp and mould

Check out the Good Home Lincs information on Common hazards to find out more about how to manage damp and mould in your home.