Have you ever noticed dampness on your walls, with stains or even peeling? Lots of people have experienced this. There are a few reasons why walls get damp, from poor air circulation to water pipe leaks. It's important to know the best ways to fix this.
This article will discuss some of the causes of damp walls and how to fix them, helping to improve the comfort and aesthetics of your room. So, keep reading this article to the end!
Causes of Damp Walls
Damp walls are a common problem, especially during the rainy season. Damp walls are usually identified by the appearance of water stains, mold spots, and peeling or bubbling wall surfaces. Generally, damp walls can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Roof leaks.
- Poor ventilation and air circulation.
- Water leaks from washing machines, sinks, and air conditioners.
- Rainy season conditions.
- Lack of protection from building materials (cement, coatings, waterproof paint).
- Cracks in the walls.
How to Deal with Damp Walls
If left untreated, damp walls can ruin the aesthetic appeal of your home, weaken the structural integrity of the walls, and even cause mold to grow on items near the wall.
Additionally, damp walls may indicate that your home has high humidity levels. However, you don’t need to worry since there are several ways to address damp walls that you can try, including:
1. Identify the Damp Areas
The first step in dealing with damp walls is to work out which parts of your home's walls are affected. Damp walls are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas that don't get much sunlight.
You can spot damp areas by looking for signs like water stains, mold spots, discoloration, peeling or bubbling paint, and flaking surface layers. Once you've identified where the dampness is coming from, it's time to tackle it.
- Is the room poorly ventilated or not ventilated at all?
- Are there leaks in the walls or roof?
- Is there a leak in the plumbing system?
- Or perhaps another issue?
Once you’ve identified the cause, you can address the problem more effectively and precisely.
If there’s a leak in the roof or plumbing, it’s essential to call a professional to make repairs immediately. Leaks in the walls should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to stop the issue from spreading to other parts of your home.
2. Ensure Proper Air Circulation
After identifying the damp areas, you need to ensure that the room has sufficient ventilation to allow for proper air circulation. If there's not enough ventilation, the moisture inside the room can't escape and will probably end up on the walls, which could make them damp over time.
To improve air circulation, you can open windows to let air flow in and out. It's also worth thinking about installing ventilation systems in each room to make sure the air is moving around nicely every day.
3. Use Waterproof Coating Paint
Another way to tackle damp walls is to use waterproof coating paint. Waterproof paint helps keep your walls dry during the rainy season and stops moisture from getting into the wall structure.
This type of paint also protects walls from different weather conditions, such as dew, wind, and rain. Applying waterproof paint is a great way to stop mold growing and avoid damage caused by damp walls.
4. Use a Dehumidifier
One of the best ways to deal with damp walls is to use a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is a device that reduces humidity levels in a room, which helps to stop walls getting damp.
The way this device works is by drawing in moist air using a fan. The air then turns into droplets of water as it cools and condenses inside the device. The droplets are collected in a reservoir, while dry air is released back into the room.
5. Take an Advantage Exhaust Fan
Another way to stop damp walls is to put in an exhaust fan. You'll often find exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens. These devices are designed to expel indoor air to the outside, which helps to reduce heat, smoke, steam, and humidity.
Exhaust fans work in a different way to dehumidifiers. They draw indoor air through the fan and channel it out via a ventilation duct. This process gets rid of the stale, humid air and replaces it with fresh air from outside.
It's also worth thinking about using an exhaust fan during rainy weather, as the humidity outside is usually higher. This could result in even more humid air entering the space. To avoid this, you can use the exhaust fan when it's not raining and switch it off during rainfall.
6. Avoid Placing Items Directly Against Walls
To address damp walls, you should avoid stacking or placing items directly against the wall. Large items like wardrobes, bookshelves, and electronic devices are often positioned close to walls.
If these items are placed too close to the wall without leaving a gap for air circulation, it can trap air and moisture between the items and the wall. This can lead to moisture buildup, increasing dampness, and encouraging mold growth.
7. Avoid Drying Wet Clothes Indoors
Last but not least, you need to avoid drying wet clothes indoors. In addition to slowing down the drying process, indoor drying causes the surrounding air to absorb moisture from the clothes. This increases the humidity level, leading to condensation and moisture accumulation on wall surfaces.
Read also: Bedroom Renovation Tips with Various Design Styles
Although considered a common phenomenon, damp walls can cause significant damage by ruining surface layers and weakening the structure of a building. Therefore, special treatment and the use of durable, waterproof construction materials are essential.
One way to keep your home’s walls dry is by using high-quality products from trusted construction materials, such as Semen Merah Putih Watershield.
Equipped with Water Repellent Technology, Semen Merah Putih Watershield offers Triple Protection for buildings, shielding them from moisture infiltration from three sources (external, internal, and from the ground). This ensures stronger, longer-lasting, and low-maintenance buildings.
Additionally, Semen Merah Putih Watershield is a super-premium multipurpose cement that provides numerous advantages over regular cement. It is ideal for various building applications such as foundations, concrete slabs, casting, brickwork, plastering, and finishing.
Want to learn more about our products? Contact us now to discuss further and explore ordering information. With quality construction materials from Semen Merah Putih, you can effectively prevent damp walls, water stains, and other issues with ease!
