When damp appears, the first mistake is often to act too quickly. However, a damp wall gives many clues when you observe the marks, their position and how they change over time. Therefore, a simple method helps you understand the situation better and avoid an unsuitable solution.

With damp wall at the bottom, the aim is not to hide marks, but to understand the signs before taking action.

Observe the height of the marks

Start by checking where the damp appears. A mark mainly located at the bottom of the wall may suggest moisture coming through the wall material. However, a local patch, an area that becomes wet after rain or a damp corner may point to another cause.

Compare several rooms

Then, compare the walls. If several load-bearing walls on the ground floor are affected, the situation differs from one isolated area near a water point. This comparison helps avoid a rushed conclusion.

Check simple mistakes

Also look at ventilation, outside joints, gutters, thresholds and water points. Sometimes, a visible cause keeps feeding the damp. In that case, it must be corrected before considering a complementary solution.

Move forward carefully

Finally, do not repaint immediately. A new coating may hide the issue for a while, but it can blister if the wall remains damp. It is better to understand, let the wall breathe and choose a coherent response.

When a technical solution may be considered

If the signs truly match rising damp, a technical solution may be considered. ATE remains the preferred option when installation is possible and a power socket is available. ATG may suit certain configurations without electricity or when installing a plugged-in ATE is difficult.

Key takeaway

However, caution remains essential: solutions related to rising damp do not treat leaks, water infiltration, flooding or condensation alone.

Unsure between several solutions? The Help Humidité website offers an online choice guide to help orient your search according to visible symptoms, the home layout and installation constraints.