How To Look At A House
McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of
site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes
What is rising damp?
Thursday, November 10, 2022
"Rising damp" is water being pulled up through porous building materials that are in contact with the ground—like concrete, masonry, or stucco—by capillary action. The wetness can result in mold, wood rot, stained walls, and elevated humidity inside a home. The solution to this problem, which is an especially vexing one in Florida, is a damp proof course.
Rising damp can also cause efflorescence, the white, powdery discoloration and deterioration on brick and concrete block. See our articles What causes raised white lines of residue on a block wall that are crusty and crumbling? and What causes brick stain or discoloration near the ground? and What causes the surface of old bricks to erode away into sandy powder? for more on this.
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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to some of our other articles about moisture intrusion problems:
• Why do new homes have more moisture and mold problems than older houses?
• What is a water trap at the exterior walls of a house?
• Where are the most common places to find wood rot on a house?
• How much ventilation is required for the under-floor crawl space of a home?
• Why is stucco that goes into the ground a problem at a wood frame house?
• What are the signs of stucco wall leaks?
• How is water getting into the outside walls of my home?
• Is mold contagious? Can mold spread to my home if there is a nearby house with mold?
• What is the right humidity level in a mobile home?
• Why is there mold around the air conditioning vents?
• What can I do to prevent mold problems in my home?
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