What You Need to Know About Salt Damp Inspection

If a damp-proof barrier was not installed at the foundation level of your house during construction, the chances are high that you might experience salt damp. You should also know that sometimes, a damp-proof barrier may have been installed, but it was of poor quality. Additionally, the installation may not have been done correctly, leading to salt damp risk.

What Is Salt Damp?

In the absence of a damp-proof barrier, water from the ground rises through your porous walls (a process known as capillary action) and evaporates. When it evaporates, salt deposits are left behind. You can easily notice them because they are white. If left uncontrolled, these salt deposits damage your wall surfaces, where paint peeling and cracking occurs. Also, if interior finishing is installed, it can be damaged by water.

Mould Growth

Sometimes, you might also notice mould. Mould can cause respiratory problems if inhaled; this can be the beginning of breathing difficulty problems that will carry high hospital bills. As soon as you notice mould growing on your walls, contact a salt damp inspection company.

What Happens When Salt Damp Inspection Specialists Arrive at Your Premises?

They embark on salt damp inspection activities geared at verifying that, indeed, you are experiencing salt damp not other problems like drainage, plumbing or backfill. Without experience, it is easy to have salt damp false alarms.

Once Salt Damp Inspection Is Complete

The salt damp inspection specialists will share their findings with you, which can often be one of two things. 

You are having salt damp problems.

If this is the case, the specialists return to their office to prepare a detailed report of their findings and what is needed to repair the damage caused and prevent any future salt damp problems.

You have a salt damp false alarm, meaning you have a drainage, plumbing or backfill problem.

If this is the case, the specialists highlight your problem and which specialists you need to contact. Sometimes, they may also be offering repair services for plumbing problems.

What Does Salt Damp Treatment Entail?

Salt damp treatment involves removing walls that are not repairable, replacing them with new walls and installing a damp-proof barrier at the foundation level.

Depending on the extent of damage, the repair or restoration work required can be a lot, meaning it can be expensive. That is why it is always recommended to install a damp-proof barrier during the construction stage of your house. Reach out to a professional for a salt damp inspection.