Why is my wall damp at the bottom?
Low-level damp is one of the most misdiagnosed problems in the home. Here is how the possible causes actually differ.
It is not automatically rising damp
Damp at the base of a wall is a symptom with several possible causes. Reaching straight for 'rising damp' — and a chemical injection — is how homeowners end up paying for treatment that does not fix the problem.
The usual suspects
High external ground levels bridging the damp-proof course, a rendered-over air brick, a leaking downpipe soaking the wall, penetrating damp, condensation collecting on a cold surface, or a plumbing leak can all produce low-level dampness. Genuine rising damp is just one option on that list.
How to tell them apart
The pattern of moisture, the height it reaches, the presence of salts, the construction of the wall and readings taken in context all help narrow the cause. A proper investigation is what turns a symptom into a diagnosis.
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