If you’ve recently painted your home or built a new one, you might still face the issue of dampness, causing you to spend money on maintenance and repainting every year. Even after trying expensive or cheap paints, waterproofing, and other solutions, the dampness might persist. If you’re tired of this problem, don’t worry! Based on my experience, I will share some simple and cost-effective tricks that can help you treat wall seepage without hiring agencies or expensive contractors.
Common Causes of Dampness
Before jumping into solutions, it’s important to understand why dampness is occurring. If you don’t know the cause, no treatment, no matter how expensive, will work. Generally, dampness occurs due to three main reasons: leakage, seasonal seepage, and moisture content.
- Leakage: This happens when there’s a plumbing issue, such as a leaking pipe, or when water is escaping from a trap.
- Seasonal Seepage: Occurs during rainy seasons, especially when your walls are exposed or there are cracks in the rainwater pipes.
- Moisture Content: This is the most common cause of recurring dampness, especially if your home was built using bricks that were not properly cured.
How to Identify the Cause of Seepage
Once you’ve identified where the dampness is occurring, it becomes easier to treat. Here’s how you can identify each type:
- Leakage: Check if the wall feels damp even when there’s no rain. If the wall feels wet and remains wet over time, it’s likely due to leakage.
- Seasonal Seepage: This type of seepage typically happens after heavy rainfall. After the rain stops, wait for a week and check if the wall still feels damp.
- Moisture Seepage: If you’re constantly dealing with peeling paint or white patches (salt marks) on the wall, this is a sign of moisture seepage. These patches can also appear between the tiles, where grout has eroded.
How to Fix Dampness Problems
Once you’ve identified the cause of the dampness, you can take action:
For Leakage:
- The first step is to locate the source of the leak. Look for cracks or water stains around the pipes or the walls.
- You can fix minor leaks yourself, but if the leakage is persistent, it’s best to consult a professional plumber.
- For larger leaks, breaking the affected wall or area and redoing the plumbing may be necessary.
For Seasonal Seepage:
- Check the rainwater pipes for cracks or loose sections. Apply a waterproofing agent or sealant on these areas to prevent water infiltration.
- Ensure that your exterior walls are properly sealed and free of cracks. If you notice any, apply a waterproofing compound.
For Moisture Seepage:
- If moisture is causing damage to the paint or plaster, removing the old plaster and applying a special coating, such as a URPF (waterproofing) mixture, will help.
- You can also try a DIY solution using tamarind powder mixed in water. Apply this mixture to the affected areas to help draw out the salt and prevent future white patches from appearing.
Simple Fixes You Can Try
Here are a few quick DIY tricks that can help manage dampness:
- Temperature Test: Check the temperature of the affected wall. If it remains consistently cool and damp, it could be a leakage issue. You can also use a key to scratch the surface, and if plaster comes off, it’s likely a sign of ongoing seepage.
- Moisture Check: For moisture, you may not always feel dampness but will notice the peeling paint or the formation of white patches. In these cases, applying a waterproofing agent mixed with plaster can help prevent further damage.
- Use Tamarind Water: For persistent salt marks, mix tamarind powder with water and apply it on the affected areas. Let it sit overnight, and wash it off the next day. This simple solution can help draw out the salts and prevent future patches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dampness can be a common issue, but it’s not always necessary to hire expensive contractors to fix it. By understanding the cause of the seepage, you can apply cost-effective solutions to treat the problem yourself. Whether it’s a plumbing issue, seasonal seepage, or moisture content, these simple tricks will help keep your home dry and prevent recurring dampness.