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Rising damp is generally characterised by a descending moisture gradient within a wall from floor level that can go up as far as 5ft or 1.5meters in height. It is usually associated with salts within the groundwater, known as nitrates, sulphates and chlorides. These salts will move to the surface of the wall, as part of the drying process, leaving deposits and spoiling the decoration.

If the cavity has debris or other materials within it and moisture gains access through the external skin, this will in time move across the debris and cause dampness on the inner cavity skin leading to internal dampness, this can include the cavity wall insulation.

Both types of rot cause decay both inside and outside of properties. Wet rot requires a high moisture presence to thrive and grow, whilst dry rot requires a much lower level of moisture to survive. Dry rot has a far great capacity to destroy and damage timber structures than wet rot and is generally more difficult to remedy.

Firstly, the cause of the damp will need to be identified and rectified so the area can be dried out. Damaged and rotten timber will need to be replaced if it has been weakened.

As with Wet Rot, the cause of the damp will need to be identified and treated and the area dried out. Affected areas may need to be treated with a masonry biocide. Rotten timbers will need to be replaced where they have been weakened. Finally, ventilation will need to be improved to prevent the reoccurrence of another infection. The most important part of the treatment is correctly identifying the source and rectifying the defect.