Damp the corner of a bedroom

[krcooke]

Hi,

Looking for some advice on a damp issue. I live in a ground floor flat with a cavity brick wall. Its a 3 story building, presume the age to be 1970s. The corner in question is outside facing.

Its a rented flat, but trying to persuade the maintenance for the building that it is more than a problem of me breathing too much!

Issues
Mould growing on the wall and back of furniture near the corner. Hugh amounts of condensation on the window (double glazed but with no air vent), literally use a squeegee each morning to clear it. Paint peeled off the wall in small places.

Outside
There are 2 drainpipes that go into the ground at this corner, can't see any sign of them overflowing. But to me the most likely culprit is the crack in the outer wall that goes the entire height of the building. Its pretty much a straight line virtually the entire way, i.e. its cut through bricks. Apart from that, the wall looks dry from the outside.

My theory, could moisture be getting into the cavity through this crack, get warmed up by heat from within the property and condenses on the the inside of the outer wall? Hence water dribbles down inside the cavity, hits the damp proof course and then causes damp on the inner wall?

Thanks for any advice people can offer
Kieron

 

[JohnD]

It is usually caused by condensation. Does anyone in your home drape wet washing around indoors, or over radiators?

Is the extractor fan used during and after every bath or shower?

How is the flat, and especially the damp room, ventilated?

//www.diynot.com/wiki/building:condensation_in_houses

 

[krcooke]

The rest of the flat is generally ok, there is an extractor fan in the bathroom, its not terribly effective, but we do also run a dehumidifier in the bathroom so it clears pretty quickly after a shower.

Ventilation-wise, we leave the window in the bedroom on trickle every day, so in theory its the most ventilated room of the house.

The thing I find most odd about this is yes we do dry washing in the house, but in the other rooms, so can't really see any reason why its only this room and only this corner.

 

[Nige F]

The thing I find most odd about this is yes we do dry washing in the house, but in the other rooms, so can't really see any reason why its only this room and only this corner.

Wish I had £1.00 for every time I`ve been told that The water vapour is migrating round the flat and finding the coldest point to condense on - 1970`s probably not insulated cavity wall. Absolute textbook classic condensation - yes, just by living in the place - sorry

 

[^woody^]

My theory, could moisture be getting into the cavity through this crack, get warmed up by heat from within the property and condenses on the the inside of the outer wall? Hence water dribbles down inside the cavity, hits the damp proof course and then causes damp on the inner wall?

No that theory would not work

If excess water is getting into the wall, then it will show as specific staining internally. Otherwise higher internal temperatures keep the inner walls dry

You are experiencing a condensation issue, which is invariably due to lifestyle - ie how you are using the flat.

However, if an external wall is kept wet (say from a leaking downpipe) then that could in certain circumstances make the wall susceptible to condensation due to it being cooler. But as you can't see any obvious external damp issues, then this wont apply

If this is purely condensation, and not structural dampness (ie a defect in the structure) and all of the heating and ventilation (ie windows) work, then your landlord is not responsible

 

[hotrod]

Woods, I doubt the OP will come back. He obviously wants some ammo to fire at the council.

It looks like he posted under "Bishy" yesterday and when he didn't get the answer he wanted from RH, didn't post back, created a new account and started this thread..........

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=257181

 

[^woody^]

Unless "Bishy" is the landlord who is subletting and the OP is his frustrated tenant?

In which case I'd advise the OP to serve a Statutory Nuisance notice on Bishy and make him spend some money . But Bishy could not do the same on the council

 

[Nige F]

Another Right to Buy ends as a Shyte and Cry Bishy bashy boshy - cost me loadsa doshy

 

[lisastar]

Could be a combination of condensation and moisture wicking through the crack in the brick siding, a two fold problem.

 

[benny123vanman]

regards the damp patch in the flat you need to get yourself a qualified damp proofing specialist round with a estimate on how much it will be to treat the problem. what you need is a complete new damp course with a 30 year warranty lets see were taking in the region of 4 grand including vat. if your stuck for a damp proofing company dont look in the yellow pages go to your nearest pub and ask for ***** pete.

 

[JohnD]

A damp proofing specialist can be relied upon to tell you that you need to buy his damp proofing treatment.

However most damp in houses can be cured by opening the windows more, and using a washing-line.

 

[htgeng]

A damp proofing specialist can be relied upon to tell you that you need to buy his damp proofing treatment.

However most damp in houses can be cured by opening the windows more, and using a washing-line.

Damp washing drying inside is the main cause. Also cooking on the hob, pans of water merrily boiling away. Extractor in kitchen must be switched on when cooking, kitchen door closed. Washing dried at the launderette. Heating switched on and move the dehumidifier to that corner. Wipe away all the mould spores with diluted domestos and throw away damp carpets etc.

Come back in a year when you've done all that.

Also is the dehumidifer a decent unit or one of those small dinky toy ones from B&Q?