If you have damp walls, the rule of thumb indicates you meet the root cause first before painting. Painting over damp walls is not the solution—it will peel off too soon. In this blog by Deco-Furbish, get essential information on how to treat damp walls properly. Know the different types of damping. Best practices of DIY painting and when is the right time to seek professional service?
If you ask Deco-Furbish’s professional interior painters in Cork about damp proofing, The Majority Would Start Their Guide with condensation dampness. This is perhaps the most common issue faced by homeowners in Ireland, particularly in properties with poor insulation or inadequate ventilation. But there are many different types of dampness, which demands a planned and managed interior painting project.
Cold walls and surfaces catch the moisture in the air and develop a condensed layer. Dampness is not all about a wet wall. It turns into unsightly damage, with developing mould, mildew, cracking, and peeling paint.
So how do we address the issue? As your walls certainly need fresh interior painting, the project must start with a detailed survey of the walls and knowing the extent of the damage—that is visible as well as the underlying.
Common Areas in Interior Walls That Are Susceptible to Dampness
Ireland’s stormy seasons and flood-prone zones leave interior wall dampness a common concern for homeowners. This is more significant for people living in detached homes who don’t have any “building maintenance” staff as such and are pretty much on their own to inspect, detect and damp proof their walls.
Now before starting your interior painting project, the expert interior painters at Deco-Furbish run a thorough survey across the property to determine the full extent of damage. Below are some of the common areas prone to dampness that you must not miss out on:
- Around the windows: moist air can dampen the door and window frames; first, from there it may spread into the walls. This is more common during monsoons and heavy rains.
- Basement: When it comes to interior painting, people usually prioritise living rooms and bedrooms. The basement walls below or at ground level are often exposed to rising dampness and often neglected maintenance. This is more common in older constructions.
- Wall outside bathroom: Condensation on walls in these rooms is possible due to moisture released into the air by showers, baths, and cooking, which makes poor airflow worse.
- Corners: They are usually cold spots; combined with poor airing, moisture condenses in such regions, leading to mould buildup.
- Back of the furniture: They often lack enough air circulation, which leads to dampness, especially in the case of poor insulation and ventilation.
- Roof adjacent walls: This often happens when water seeps through the roof and is intercepted below by walls, thereby leading to damp patches on ceilings and upper walls.
Common Types of Dampness:
As mentioned earlier in the article, condensation dampness is the most common issue treated by Deco-Furbish’s professional interior painters in Cork and other busy cities. When people get busier, they might struggle to maintain regular house maintenance. This is a common reason leading to the prevalence of issues like condensation dampness going untreated until they require professional intervention.
- Condensation damp comes through temperature fluctuations in the indoor-outdoor environment—much like how a cold glass of water is condensed at room temperature.
- Rising dampness typically comes through the capillary action of groundwater and affects the lower parts of walls, damaging the plaster, paint, and even the structural integrity of the building. Ground-floor homes in flood-prone zones are at high risk.
- Penetrating dampness occurs when moisture seeps in through external wall damages, such as cracks, broken roof tiles, or poor guttering.
- Lateral Dampness is similar to the penetrating type; lateral damp occurs when water enters horizontally through walls, often in basements or areas below ground level.
- Leaks from plumbing, such as faulty pipes, broken radiators, or poorly sealed baths and showers, can cause dampness in both ceilings and walls.
The Role of Proper Ventilation and Insulation in Preventing Dampness in Interior Walls
Ventilation and insulation are major factors that prevent dampness in walls from occurring inside. Ventilation allows moisture to escape, thus reducing the humidity level. It will protect your walls after interior painting years.
Ventilation could be simple and natural by keeping windows open! But you cannot always do that In Ireland during the stormy season and winters, hence, mechanical ventilation like extractor fans, kitchen hoods, humidifiers and air conditioning are recommended. Insulation, on the other hand, maintains a stable temperature on the walls, preventing rapid condensation and keeping the wall dry and your interior smooth and flawless.
When It Is Time to Get Advice from Professional Interior Painters
The majority of expert interior painting professionals in Ireland suggest installing passive vents, insulating lofts and attics, and using anti-condensation or mould-resistant paints. Below are the key steps implemented by experts to make a sustainable finish.
- Area assessment: Identify all the damp areas and sources of moisture, spotting out peeling paint, mould and mildew.
- Surface preparation: Scrap away all the dust, dirt, and mould and damp damage
- Choose the Right Paint: Professional interior painters in Cork would recommend anti-condensation or mould-resistant paints that form a protective barrier against moisture and help prevent mould buildup.
- Apply Damp-Proof Primer: Lather this primer on all affected areas before painting. This seals the surface and prevents moisture from seeping through.
- Apply the paint: When using damp-proof wall paint, experts recommend one coat of premier and one coat of paint—a total of two coats of product. But the ultimate decision depends on the finish you are looking to achieve.
Now, here is the big question—when you can pretty much do all these steps on your own, why should you consider hiring professional interior paintors in cork?
While DIY wall painting is quite the standard practice, the crucial need for damp proofing could be an overwhelming project for the non-savvy.
Hiring professional service comes with a surety of quality. They will use professional techniques, use proper brushes and applicators, and ensure a well-planned and managed interior painting project like a pro! And the most important part—professionals will give you a thorough assessment of dampness and resolve the issue from the ground up! Lest you miss a spot, get expert guidance from the certified interior painters at Deco-Furbish to enjoy guaranteed results and complete peace of mind.