Diagnosing the causes of dampness (GR 5 revised)
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Diagnosing the causes of dampness (GR 5 revised) was written by John Houston and published by BRE on 18 March 2015.
Even in a ‘dry’ building, there is a surprising amount of water in porous materials, most of which does no harm. A building is only considered to be 'damp' if the moisture or its effects become visible, leading to deterioration in decorations or the fabric of the building.
Dampness is the most common problem in housing. It results in visible wetting of walls, ceilings and floors, blistering paint, bulging plaster, sulfate attack on brickwork and mould growth on surfaces and fabrics, usually accompanied by a musty smell. It can also lead to less obvious problems such as a reduction in the effectiveness of thermal insulation or cracks in brickwork due to the corrosion of embedded metal components.
The first step in solving damp-related problem is to diagnose the cause.
This Good Repair Guide provides advice on how to identify the potential causes of dampness in homes. It is aimed at housing professionals, home owners and occupiers, and replaces guidance published in 1997.
Its contents are:
- Introduction.
- Internal dampness: moisture from condensation.
- External dampness: rain penetration.
- External dampness: rising damp.
- Construction moisture.
- Leaking pipes.
- Leaking roofs.
- Spillage.
- Ground and surface water.
- Contaminating salts.
- Hidden dampness.
- Specialist inspection.
- References.
Other guides in the series, Good Repair Guides 6–8, cover specific remedial treatment for the principal causes of dampness.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Assessing moisture in porous building materials.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM.
- Building damp-free cavity walls.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Condensation.
- Damp in buildings.
- Damp proof membrane.
- Damp proofing.
- Damp-proof course.
- Dew point.
- Dry rot fungus.
- Efflorescence.
- Humidity.
- Interstitial condensation.
- Penetrating damp.
- Rising damp in walls - diagnosis and treatment (DG 245).
- Rising damp.
- Spalling.
- Understanding dampness.
- Wall insulation and moisture risk.
Featured articles and news
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.
New CIAT Professional Standards Competency Framework
Supercedes the 2019 Professional Standards Framework from 1 May 2025.