Sometimes the things that we take for granted, like the walls in our house, might cause us trouble that we will have to deal with. Wet walls can bring many problems into your life, and this can be a result of a number of things. Dampness that penetrates into your walls can cause issues with the external part of the wall, it can harm the wall’s structure, and it may also cause leaks from different walls in your house.
The good thing is, if you choose to see it as such, is that you can determine what the issue with your walls is, depending on how it manifests in your house. It could be entirely wet walls, damp walls, or cold walls with wet spots in certain rooms or parts of the house.
First Step – Finding the Cause
The first step you should take, is establishing what’s causing the wetness or other issues in your house’s walls. You will be able to figure it out and get an idea of what the issue is, depending on how damp or wet your walls are, and if it is the entire wall that’s wet or just specific parts of it. If you have one available, use a damp meter to test the dampness levels of your wet wall. If you do not have access to a damp meter, you can put the back of your hand against the wall, so you could establish where the damp areas are exactly.
In case you find wet walls in a room that is located below ground, then the issue might be caused as a result of a leak from your water main, or even from your neighbor’s water main. It is possible to get your water supplying company to test the water, without any charges. By doing so, they will be able to determine if the water is sewage, water from the main supply or groundwater.
In case it seems like the water is coming from the ceiling and then onto your walls, then it may be caused by a leak in your central heating system. In that case, you can either check your pipes manually, or you can get a professional plumber to conduct a pressure check, so they could determine if your pipes are leaking or not.
How to Prevent Wet Wall Issues
The best option you have when it comes to moisture and wetness in your walls, it to do whatever you can to prevent it. There are some steps you could take, and timely checks you can conduct, in order to avoid all said issues. You can check your roof for damage every now and then, with an emphasis on winter times. You should also make sure that you keep the gutters clear, and fix them right away if you find any damage.
Try to maintain a constant warm temperature within your home. Avoid sudden rises and dips in temperature as much as you can.