Many people refer to a 'damp problem' for both condensation and true damp. It is important to know what you really have though. Condensation and true damp are radically different as the following table shows.
| Condensation | True Damp |
|---|---|
| Typically shows up as black patches caused by mildew. | Patches are often well defined by brown staining. |
| Curtains, soft furnishings and clothes may smell musty. | Plaster may 'bubble' and get a powdery surface. |
| If left untreated, can be harmful to human health. | Totally harmless to humans. |
| Apart from surface decorations, harmless to your house. | If left untreated, can eventually endanger the structure of your house. |
| Often made worse by common advice and doesn't usually require any building work. | Cause is nearly always misdiagnosed resulting in expensive and incorrect treatments that hide the problem while making it worse. |
Getting rid of Condensation - Information on the causes of condensation and what to do about it.
The right way to tackle Damp - Information on the typical causes of damp and what to do about it.
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