Owning a home isn’t simply buying a house. It is a continuous process of managing and maintaining the place you call home. Dampness is a very common household problem. It is the presence of excess moisture in the structure of a house/building due to ambient climatic factors like condensation or penetration due to rains. Usually dampness occurs due to either condensation inside the structure or due to intrusion from outside. Either ways, it can pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home and it can compromise the health and wellbeing of your family in the long run. This is a problem that needs to be tackled with a lot of care and attention. Here are some ways in which you can protect your humble abode from the wrath of dampness:

1. Be vigilant

The first step to ensure that your home is dampness-free is to inspect it thoroughly. Make sure you cover each and every nook of your house. Check your walls - both internal and external. Ceilings and rooftops are the areas that are commonly affected by dampness. Look out for the following signs -

• Blots and patches on walls or the roof.
• Signs of a damp patch on external walls and ceiling especially during monsoon.
• Early signs of rotting of doors.
• Water condensation on windows across the house.
• Growth of mold and moss on walls, roof and ceilings during the rainy season.
• Leakage of pipes and faucets.

2. Ensure that your home is properly ventilated

Lack of proper ventilation is one of the main causes of moisture being trapped within your home. This trapped moisture can lead to corrosion of your house’s steel framework and also cause damp patches to appear on the walls. To avoid these damp patches and other structural threats, you will need to keep your house well ventilated at all times. Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and all the bathrooms. This will help to get rid of moisture and water condensation on various surfaces. If you reside in a city with high humidity, getting home a dehumidifier is a smart choice to make. A dehumidifier reduces the moisture in the air considerably, curbing the growth of molds and other bacteria.

3. Waterproof your house

Monsoon season often feels like a difficult test to clear for your house. This is when your home is prone to water damage, leaking roofs and growth of molds and moss. To prevent this from happening, you need to get your home waterproofed. Think of this solution as a wise investment you are making for your home’s future. To do so, you will require professional help. Make sure you are equally involved in this process. Know what kind of water-proofing products will be used. For example, after waterproofing your house, the walls and surfaces need to be covered in wall putty before painting them. We recommend that you opt for JK Lakshmiplast Smart Wall Putty as this eco-friendly product ensures a smooth finish and is water, algae and fungi resistant.

4. Fix leakages and other plumbing issues

Plumbing issues often result in dampness, leakage and in worst cases, flooding of houses. If plumbing issues are left unnoticed, they can cause significant damage to your property. Therefore, you need to be very cautious about it. Get your plumbing checked by a professional every 6 months. In case you notice the smallest of leaks on a faucet or basin, get it fixed immediately.

5. Regrout your tiles

Grouting is filling the tiny spaces between tiles on the floor. This is done to prevent floor damage and seepage of water. However, over a period of time, the grout gets old and cracked, causing the moisture to be trapped within the kitchen and bathroom spaces. Hence, it is essential that the tiles be regrouted. In this process, the old hardened grout is scraped off using specific tools followed by cleaning the space before grouting it with a new cement mix. This needs to be done every few years to avoid a larger damage.

We understand that taking care of a house can be quite an intimidating task. But it is also the most rewarding thing in the world. We hope these suggestions help you maintain your home with ease. In case you have any queries/suggestions, do share them with us in the comment section.