Salt damp
Salt-laden moisture wicking up from the ground into masonry walls. Visible as white crystalline efflorescence on lower courses, blown render, or paint flaking on internal walls.
Salt damp is one of the most common defects in heritage Adelaide homes. The salts come from the soil; the moisture comes from inadequate or failed damp-proof courses (DPCs).
Pre-1940s Adelaide homes were often built without a working DPC. Modern injection systems and chemical DPC treatments can address the issue, but the cost can be substantial and the underlying salts take years to fully leach out of affected masonry.
Inspectors will look for efflorescence on lower brick courses, blown render at the base of walls, flaking paint on internal walls (especially behind furniture), and rotten skirting boards.
Rising damp
Moisture rising vertically through masonry walls from the ground, in the absence of a working damp-proof course.
Efflorescence
White crystalline deposits that appear on masonry as moisture brings salts to the surface and they crystallise there.
Reactive clay
Clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. Common across Adelaide, causes seasonal footing movement and cracking.