Damp is one of the most damaging and misunderstood problems affecting Irish properties. Left untreated, it silently destroys plaster, timber, and structural integrity — while creating the perfect conditions for harmful mould growth.
Damp occurs when moisture finds its way into a building's structure where it shouldn't be. In Ireland's wet climate, it's one of the most prevalent property problems — and one of the most expensive to ignore.
There are two main types of structural damp:
Groundwater travels upward through porous masonry via capillary action when the damp proof course has failed or is absent. It appears as tide marks, salt deposits (efflorescence), and peeling plaster on lower walls — rarely rising above 1.5 metres. It is a structural issue that will not resolve itself.
Water enters horizontally through walls, roofs, or around windows — typically due to cracked render, failed pointing, blocked gutters, or deteriorating window seals. Unlike rising damp, it can appear at any height and often presents as damp patches that worsen during or after rainfall.
Both types cause progressive damage: crumbling plaster, rotting timber, staining, and mould growth. The structural fabric of your property is being weakened with every passing month.
Damp does not stop on its own. Every month without treatment means more damage to plaster, timber, and the structural fabric of your property — and a more expensive repair bill.