Can a Blocked Drain Cause Damp?

Here in the UK, we see our fair share of rainfall. From drizzles to downpours, it’s rare to go more than a week or so without rain. That means your home has to deal with plenty of water throughout the year, especially in the autumn and winter months.

All that water means an increased chance of damp in your property, and while it commonly occurs due to condensation or the ingress of rain through windows and roofing, your drainage also plays its part in either preventing or creating damp.

This month at Power Rod, we’re going to talk you through how a blocked drain can encourage damp, the signs you need to look out for and why it’s important not to ignore these issues.

How does a blocked drain cause damp?

If you’ve got a blocked drain, it’s already a huge inconvenience and a potential hazard for your property. But whether it’s a partial blockage you don’t notice for a while or a blockage that escapes your attention underground, the build-up of water can start to feed into damp issues.

Your drains are designed to divert and carry water away from your property for a good reason. Water that spills out of your drain will be absorbed by the ground until it becomes saturated. It will then start to seep into your foundations and lower walls, contributing to rising damp and lateral damp problems.

The same applies to blockages or leaks further along your system where water will escape into the surrounding area. It’s also a good idea to check your downpipes from your guttering to ensure water isn’t leaking out onto your external walls, as this can also create damp issues inside the house over time.

Common signs of damp

Keeping an eye on your pipes and your drains is a great way of helping to prevent them from contributing to damp, but you might not always be able to see hidden issues. There are a number of common signs when it comes to damp, including:

Walls are damp or cold to the touch
Discoloured walls
Wallpaper peeling away
Paint and plaster flaking
Increase in condensation
Black mould spots and marks
Black mould around windows and skirting boards
A musty smell inside the house

If you notice any of the above, you may have issues with your drains or the grounds around your property. You can contact a damp-proofing specialist to tackle the symptoms, but in order to tackle the cause, you need a drainage professional. That way, you can either remedy the issues or rule your drains out as the cause.

Can damp impact your health?

Damp is not something you should underestimate. Even a small amount can start to damage your health in a number of ways, including:

Allergies – Mould spores from damp can irritate the respiratory system, including your eyes, nasal passages and your throat — this can exacerbate any existing allergies.
Skin irritation – Irritation to your skin is also possible due to mould spores; this is especially frustrating for those who already suffer from eczema.
Toxicity – There are several issues for you, your children and any pets when you have toxic mould in your property. You could see a neurological impact from this mould or even issues with your immune system in severe cases, all because of an increased intake of toxic spores.
Physical injury risk – Because damp eventually impacts the structural integrity of your home, you could be in physical danger if you leave the issue unchecked. Ceilings and floors could collapse without warning if your timber starts to rot.

Professional drain unblocking

If you have damp issues and you believe your drains could be the cause – or part of the cause – then you should always contact a drainage professional. At Power Rod, we offer a rapid response for homeowners and businesses across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire – including Watford and Aylesbury.

In addition to drain unlocking, we also offer drain repairs if your system has a leak or CCTV drain surveys if you’re unsure what the nature of the issue is. When you enlist our help, you can be sure of a professional service no matter what the problem is, restoring the health of your drains to help put a stop to any damp problems.

Call us today and book your appointment for drain unblocking or any of our drainage services.