Rising damp guide
Leaking Pipe or Rising Damp?
A small plumbing leak under a floor can keep the base of a wall wet for months and easily be mistaken for rising damp.
Localised moisture is an important clue
A concentrated patch near a radiator, bathroom, kitchen or known pipe route deserves investigation. Genuine rising damp can be uneven, but a very local wet area often suggests a local source.
Leaks can travel
Water from a pipe does not always appear directly below the defect. It can run along a slab, joist or service channel before reaching visible plaster.
Watch the water meter where suitable
Unexpected water use can sometimes support suspicion of a supply leak, although heating and waste pipes require different checks.
Repairing the wall first is backwards
A new DPC and fresh plaster will not solve an active plumbing leak. The likely service routes should be considered before invasive damp-proofing begins.
Want somebody local to look at it?
If you would rather have the damp investigated in person, you can use our help page to describe the problem and decide what sort of specialist you need.