the best way to deal with damp

8 years ago

hi I've just bought a house and I know that the back room lower to the ground has damp what is the best way to deal with this

Featured Answer

Lyndsey P

8 years ago

My advice would just be not to panic before you move in, it could be nothing major.

We recently bought a period property and our survey came back with rising damp in the back half of the house. We had a damp consultant out to assess and quote and were told that we needed to put on damp proof courses at a cost of £2k.

We've now been in the house 3
Months and have found that lots of the damp was due to the previous owner's lifestyle (Windows never open, washing drying on radiators, Windows never opened, damp dogs allowed to run on everything!) and most of the rest is due to areas where the previous owner has used concrete when he shouldn't have or where there are hoes in the brick work (he loved to screw holes into walls apparently).

At present, we've no plans to spend 2k on doc injections but are keeping an eye on it and planning to repoint the brickwork in summer.

Moral of the story is once you get in and ventilate the house, it might not be a problem at all!

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Comments (8)

Jonathan
8 years ago
Most common problems are that the ground is too high on the opposite side of the wall or something is directing water into that wall such as a drain or blocked gutters or a window is letting in water. After you have dealt with these then you might still have to have the wall replastered but I agree with the above comment to remove the cause first.
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I would agree with Jane, best to seek an independent surveyor who specialises in damp and has knowledge of flood risk areas. I'd also second her point about an asbestos survey for the whole property. At Woodfloors4u we specialise in flooring, so when you do decide to install the new flooring, feel free to check out our website www.woodfloors4u.co.uk. Our Vinyl SPC click plank and herringbone range may be a good fit as it's a versatile and resistant product that can be used anywhere within the home or commercial environment. SPC Vinyl is waterproof with built-in underlay, easy to install and clean, and saves labour costs as you don't need to use expensive adhesives or underlay. SPC also has good resistance to changes in temperature and humidity making it a great choice for any region. So you have an idea of what the product looks like I have inserted a couple of images. Balmoral Oak SPC Plank - 182mm x 0.3mm/5mm x 1220mm: £24.99perm2 Chelsea Grey - SPC Herringbone - 125mm x 0.3mm/5mm x 610mm: £29.99perm2 If you are interested in any flooring products or would like to discuss the project please contact the office: Tel: 020 8500 1940 Email: info@woodfloors4u.co.uk Web: www.woodfloors4u.co.uk
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Lauren
8 years ago
I agree to deal with the cause before undertaking remedial work if possible. That said I had damp in a upstairs back bedroom where there's an external chimney breast.

Since there was nothing we could do short of removing this (which we can't afford) we used a super thick sticky specialty damp proof paint on my mums recommendation and it has absolutely prevented any moisture showing through at all. You can then paint over the top if it in a regular paint once dry so you'd never know!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronseal-Anti-Damp-Paint-White/dp/B008VQ6RDY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423561477&sr=8-3&keywords=anti+damp+paint#customerReviews
Jonathan
8 years ago
Upstairs damp near a chimney breast is likely a problem with the flashing and a roofer could fix this quickly.
Lauren
8 years ago
That's good to know Jonathan, will look into it!
PRO
Aquatecnic Wetroom Experts
7 years ago
Hi folks,

I'll point you in the direction of a link to Koster Crisin Concentrate and Crisin Cream:

http://kosteruk.com/uk_en/foa-96-43/horizontal+barriers+%2B+restoration+of+masonry.html

Not every damp problem can be attributed to the same cause therefore not every damp problem will require the same treatment. The treatment employed needs to suit the situation.

Some treatments can be in the form of Internal or External tanking or a DPC such as the Crisin linked above or a combination of more than one system.

Sometimes earth built up on the exterior wall can allow dampness through. I've encountered a few problems with chimneys but like any damp problem it can bring salts to the surface which can cause damage to finished coatings.

Looking at that product Lauren, in the description is states 'BEFORE YOU START Make sure the cause of damp has been fixed'

Cost is an important factor in any project but getting the correct analysis before hand is always key. The amount of times we have dealt with remedial jobs where the cause was guessed is truely worrying.

If you want to chat about any works your looking to undertake please do not hesitate to contact me. We've on here as a wetroom installer but it is part of www.kosteruk.com. My email is mike@kosteruk.com and our number is 01387 270252

Kind Regards,

Mike
PRO
Leon Smith Architects
7 years ago
I'd suggest getting an independent damp surveyor out to review your property. Try contacting a local Architectural practice, they may be able to do the survey or suggest someone for you to contact. Damp comes in many different shapes and sizes. It's best to identify the cause first, then address it.
PRO
Culver Evans
7 years ago
I agree with last comments - you have to know what kind of damp you are dealing with. Could be rising, penetrating, condensation, etc. Where floor levels differ there can frequently be problems if there is no effective damp proof membrane between adjoining floors - but already I am pre-judging!

the best way to deal with damp

Lyndsey P

Comments (8)

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