Damp problems help needed!!

Joined
10 Sep 2011
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
Firstly apologies for the long post..
We have a 1930's semi detached house with a pre existing damp problem right along the party wall, next doors walls are the same if not worse than ours although they have papered over theirs with thick paper....

The back downstairs dining room wall paper is soaking with white patches & dark wet patches coming from the bottom of the wall and featuring spordaically up to 1 meter in height. It appears worse in the chimney area, which was sealed up but we installed an air vent. There is a distinct damp smell in this room.

The front lounge also had some damp on the chimney breast however this seemed to be under control after chemical damp injection was done, it came back & we cut it away & painted Thomsons damp proofing paint & painted over which worked for about 3 months & it is now back...

Now new damp patches have appeared along the middle of the middle wall seperating the 2 downstairs rooms the dining & lounge rooms. We only repainted the lounge at Christmas & the new damp patches appeared about 3 months ago. It started with flaking bubbiling painta & now there are dark water marks right across the entire middle section of the wall. There is also a localised damp pactch which appears to get darker/wetter every time it rains. We have discussed this with our neighbour who said they had the exact same problem along the middle wall separating their two rooms but they have put embossed wall paper over the patches to hide it.

We have had our builder check our roof, which is fine & the chimney was repointed & painted with flash guard. There were a few cracks on our side in the cement. Next doors side of the chimney (it is a shared chimney) was also fixed by our builder theres was in worse condition & he also put a cap on one of their pots which is not used as it appeared this could be part of the problem. There is still one of their chimney pots which remains uncovered as they use this for a fire however they have advised they are going to sort out their own chimney pot.

Over the last few days we have had heavy rain & i think the patches are worse although hubbie disagrees.. I can also smell damp in this room which was not present before.
Can anyone shed any light please? We have had a 'damp specialist' out who advised that the course of action should be to cut out the damp in the walls, replaster with special mix & let to dry out & also install new damp course at a cost of £2,200. However he could not tell me the source of the damp he just kept saying it was coming from the atmosphere....

I am unsure whether this is the right path to choose as I want to know where the damp is coming from I dont want to gloss over it as such. The problem now is I cant stand looking at the walls the state they are in & we are now thinking of wall papering over the damp patches with think wall paper for a few months until the new year & then we will get it sorted as it is not practical at this time to move out for a week to get the work done...

Anybody any ideas please? I have uploaded a few images of the new damp patches which have appeared in our lounge.
 
Sponsored Links
Hey there,

Is like reading about our house! We have recently bought a cottage in the north of Scotland. Our roof and guttering is fine when it was checked. Damp patches are just like yours in our hallway. Have no idea where to go next, however has been suggested to us that as the house has harling to get any holes and cracks repaired. Also, there is no fascia board on our place, the roof just meets the wall - when we got up a ladder it looks like there are a few gaps. Masonry spec. guy said is common so best way is to get the roof felt to come right down into the gutter. This is all new to me so will keep an eye on your replies with interest - it's so frustrating!! And I agree with you, we have been offered damp proof course but to me that won't stop the cause. Hope you get some answers :)
 
If the damp is higher than about a metre then you can rule out damp courses - it's coming from the roof or guttering.
 
I am unsure whether this is the right path to choose as I want to know where the damp is coming from I dont want to gloss over it as such.
Absolutely. Well done for not falling for his glib recommendation. You have to find out where it's coming from and treat the cause, not the symptom.

Check everything - downpipes, internal plumbing, lead flashing etc, and get you neighbour to do the same. You say the roof has been checked but mention cement - is the house actually made of lime not cement? That makes a big difference! Google for 'Period houses lime mortar' and see what you get. It's more specialist than ordinary cement but there are lots of us out here who have knowledge and experience. See my blog at http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/ for my experience of extensive dampness/water ingress/neglect by previous owner etc.
 
Sponsored Links
i like useing limelite for these old places, sorry OP for not shedding any light on the problem but i think you need to get someone who really knows what thier doin (not your previous damp proofer) to explore every possible way the damp could be getting in
 
i like useing limelite for these old places, sorry OP for not shedding any light on the problem but i think you need to get someone who really knows what thier doin (not your previous damp proofer) to explore every possible way the damp could be getting in

Please don't use it as it F%&£s up a good property ;)
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top