How can I tell if I have rising damp or just condensation?

This is a common confusion. Rising damp usually appears as tide marks on walls, often about a metre high, with crumbling plaster or skirting boards. It affects the lower parts of walls and feels damp to the touch. Condensation damp, on the other hand, tends to form on colder surfaces such as windows, mirrors, or external walls, and often brings black mould in the corners of rooms or around window frames. Timing can also help you tell the difference — condensation shows up more in winter and after showers or cooking, while rising damp is more constant regardless of weather.