Walls plaster

Rising Damp

Rising damp is moisture moving upward into a wall from the ground by capillary action, rather than water entering from rain or condensing on the surface.

Rising damp is one possible explanation for low-level moisture, but marks at the base of a wall do not establish the diagnosis. Leaks, rainwater penetration, ground levels, trapped moisture and salts can create similar-looking damage.

Edinburgh stone tenements and townhouses may have solid walls with historic finishes that need to release moisture. Applying an impermeable coating before understanding the water source can make investigation and drying more difficult.

A sound assessment looks at the wall construction, drainage, external details, moisture pattern and history of repairs. The repair should follow the cause, not simply the label on the damp patch.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Georgian Flat Converted Flat

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