Damp issues can occur in any part of the house but there are common areas where it is most prone to occurring. Bathrooms and kitchens for example, tend to produce a high amount of warm moisture. If not ventilated, then this will condense onto cold surfaces which therefore results in producing condensation.
Over a period of time, condensation will result in damp and mould, which can become problematic. Regarding your bedroom, there are not as many household activities being carried out compared to the previous areas we mentioned. However, we do spend a lot of time in the bedroom for sleeping. This will mean there is a lot of moisture is built up from sweating and breathing.
Just like moisture is built up in your bathroom or kitchen, if the warm moisture laden air is not removed from the bedroom, then it will land onto cold surfaces and condensation will emerge.
It is not too surprising that condensation is the most common of all the damp problems to occur in your bedroom. However, you should also be aware of penetrating damp as well, as another possible damp issue that could occur.
Why Am I Getting Damp in My Bedroom?
The first thing that every property owner must look for is to find the source of the damp problem in your bedroom. Finding where the damp is coming from is the first step to getting rid of the issue.
What Causes Damp on Bedroom Ceilings?
If damp is located on the bedroom ceiling, then the most likely causes are listed down below:
Condensation
As previously mentioned, the main cause of condensation in the bedroom is due to moisture built up from breathing and sweating. Condensation can take a long time to develop and you are also less likely to see damp patches as well. The likely outcome of condensation is black mould appearing on the ceiling.
The most common sign of a condensation problem is if you have black mould. Another sign of condensation is that your windows will start steaming up. When this starts to happen then it means that the room does not have adequate ventilation and that the excess moisture needs to be removed.
Poor Maintenance
If there are damp patches on the walls of your bedroom ceiling, then it is more than likely that water is penetrating its way through from the outside. Having external defects such as damaged pipes, and cracks in roof tiles are just some of the reasons why dampness can be seen on a bedroom ceiling. Once you have managed to identify where the issue is coming from this is then when you can deal with the problem.
The defects we have just mentioned can be dealt with by yourself, but we would suggest that you hire a qualified contractor to carry out any works that are needed to fix the problem.
If you are also struggling to identify where the damp problem is coming from, then you can contact one of our highly qualified surveyors. Our surveyors will carry out a survey to correctly identify exactly what type of damp problem is affecting your property and provide advice on what the next best step is to treat the problem.
What Causes Damp on Bedroom Walls?
Checking if you have damp on your bedroom walls is not too dissimilar from the checks made for damp occurring on the ceiling. Condensation and penetrating damp are the most common problems that can cause damp walls in your bedroom.
If there is little saturation on the surfaces of the walls but there is black mould, then you are more than likely to have a condensation problem. If there are damp patches, however, then you might be suffering from penetrating damp.
The likely reasons why penetrating damp might be causing problems is that there are damaged bricks or cracks in the external render. These checks should really be carried out by a damp proofing professional so the right diagnosis can be made.
Is Damp in a Bedroom Bad for your Health?
Damp itself is not harmful to your health, however, long term exposure to black mould can be harmful. If you suffer from respiratory issues or have a difficulty in breathing, then this can be life threatening if not dealt with early enough. You can find out learn about the health implications of damp from our “Can damp affect health?” blog.
How to Get Rid of Damp from Your Bedroom?
Now we have covered the causes of damp in the bedroom, how do you get rid of it? This obviously depends on the type of damp. Condensation for example, can simply be alleviated by opening windows on a regular basis to improve air flow.
Also, if your bathroom is located next to the bedroom, then we would recommend turning on your extractor fans. This will help remove the excess moisture that can overflow into the bedroom.
If your bedroom is suffering from penetrating damp, then finding the source of the leak, or external defect is the top priority. If you are a qualified contractor then these fixes can be made by yourself but if you aren’t, then contact a fully qualified contractor to carry out the works.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you a clear indication of what causes damp in bedrooms and how it can be dealt with. Just like with any type of damp problem, the earlier it is identified, the best chance you have in dealing with it as soon as possible. You can contact our team to book a survey or for further advice by calling 0800 288 8660 or contacting us online.
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