Excessive damp in a house can have undesirable consequences for the health of occupants and the integrity of the building. If you are faced with such a situation, what are the real consequences of damp in a house? And how can such a problem be solved? We bring you the answers in this article.
The consequences of excessive humidity on the integrity of your building
Moisture causes several types of damage to your home: mold, saltpetre, merula, water infiltration and others. Mould is always visible to the naked eye on ceilings, walls and tile joints. Condensation (dampness in certain rooms with a persistent musty smell) is often the first cause of mold growth. When it starts to spread on walls, wallpaper peels off, fabrics fade and walls become clammy to the touch. This gradually weakens the structure of your frame.
At the same time, saltpetre, a colony of white streaks, invades your walls. It gives off a rotten smell and can easily strip plaster. Also known as “stone salt”, it is caused by the phenomenon of “capillary rise”. This phenomenon is linked to contact between bacteria or ammonia present in groundwater and the potassium carbonate contained in your masonry. Saltpetre migrates from one wall to another as humidity levels fluctuate. It’s therefore a matter of urgency to contact a damp-proofing company to deal with the problem.
Merula, on the other hand, is a fearsome wood-rotting fungus that often attacks wood, frames, floors and ceilings. If left unchecked, it can attack and destroy all woodwork and masonry. Water infiltration can also weaken your building. Brownish stains take up residence on walls and ceilings, which are often damp. Occasionally, rising damp can also be observed, as water in the ground rises vertically up the walls.
The health consequences of excessive humidity
Humidity does have harmful effects on your health. When the humidity level in a home exceeds 50%, it encourages the growth of mold, responsible for serious allergies in some people. Mold also gives off a pestilential scent with its blackish appearance that is dangerous to health. Respiratory illnesses are directly linked to poor ventilation in the home.
What’s more, dampness can cause illnesses such as :
- asthma (this disease affects the lower airways and bronchioles, making it very difficult to breathe) ;
- rhinitis (a severe irritation of the mucous membranes in your nasal cavity) ;
- bronchitis (an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, mainly due to the inhalation of mycotoxins released by mold).
Practical advice to combat excessive humidity in your home
Pay attention to certain causes of humidity, such as water leaks in certain areas of the home, to prevent this phenomenon. While it’s difficult to combat this phenomenon yourself, it’s not impossible. For example, you can use a detergent-and-water-based solution to remove traces of mildew from the walls of your home.
However, for an effective damp-proofing treatment, call in a specialist. They generally have the best expertise to deal with this kind of unhealthy situation. You can also negotiate the price of the service.
In any case, it’s really important to be able to limit the excessive consequences of dampness with a good sanitary treatment.
