What
is Lateral/Penetrating Damp?
Lateral damp is when moisture is
allowed to enter the structure in a horizontal direction.
Gravity then causes the downward movement of the damp into other
areas. Penetrating damp can create isolated patches of dampness that
increase in size after periods of heavy rain. The damp can occur at
any level, unlike Rising Damp which
usually rises from the ground up to 1.2 metres high. Lateral or
penetrating damp is usually from a source too difficult to control
and only an expert with a moisture metre detector will evaluate the
difference in rising and lateral damp. Sometimes the problem may
also require a plumber to pressure test the pipes to eliminate them
as the problem.
Causes of Lateral Damp
▪ leaking water supplies or waste
pipes
▪ fretted mortar joints
▪ defective brickwork
▪ failure of tile grouts in showers and other wet areas
▪ poorly functioning membrane in wet areas
▪ cracked render
▪ poor flashings
▪ defect in adjacent property outside the owners control
▪ air-conditioning or hot water system overflows can also lead
to small localised patches of dampness.
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