Some advice on damp issues would be much appreciated. Recently had some symptoms of damp in our 1920’s mid terrace (lived in for 3 months) which led to a friend claiming Rising Damp. I think some of the symptoms I have reasonable explanations for but some not so sure.
1) Damp looking wallpaper a bricks height above skirting in the hall running from the front door for about 2-3 metres. Wallpaper peels off very easily but plaster sound underneath. Plaster is moist but feels more like moist wallpaper paste. This is standard plain wallpaper painted with emulsion.
2) Easily peeled wallpaper in the lounge at the base on the majority of the walls. This is thick textured wallpaper painted with emulsion. Plaster is sound underneath although was dark pink. This has now started to turn light pink where parts of the wallpaper have been removed.
3) Damp/musty smelling carpet. These damp smells seem to originate where the previous owner had heavy cabinets. My assumption is the stagnant air in the pocket under the cabinet has condensated on to the carpet which was never allowed to dry out. The carpet is of medium thickness, very snuggly fitted and has a rubber waffle like under lay.
I had Rentokil round yesterday, who with his trustee damp meter claimed Rising Damp. They have quoted £900 for a chemical dpc although he advised no replastering is needed.
The house has a slate dpc and I find it difficult to believe it could have failed on opposite walls. Could either low level Condensation or poor sub floor ventilation be the problem. The 1 airbrick at the back of the property had been blocked up with mortar. The front has 2 full airbricks (lounge) and 1 partially covered one below the front door (only half showing due to raised step).
Although part of the front garden was near the level of the dpc I have now lowered this and besides this is a good 3 metres away from some of the damp.
I’m waiting to organise another survey for a 2nd opinion but in the meantime would appreciate your thoughts.
1) Damp looking wallpaper a bricks height above skirting in the hall running from the front door for about 2-3 metres. Wallpaper peels off very easily but plaster sound underneath. Plaster is moist but feels more like moist wallpaper paste. This is standard plain wallpaper painted with emulsion.
2) Easily peeled wallpaper in the lounge at the base on the majority of the walls. This is thick textured wallpaper painted with emulsion. Plaster is sound underneath although was dark pink. This has now started to turn light pink where parts of the wallpaper have been removed.
3) Damp/musty smelling carpet. These damp smells seem to originate where the previous owner had heavy cabinets. My assumption is the stagnant air in the pocket under the cabinet has condensated on to the carpet which was never allowed to dry out. The carpet is of medium thickness, very snuggly fitted and has a rubber waffle like under lay.
I had Rentokil round yesterday, who with his trustee damp meter claimed Rising Damp. They have quoted £900 for a chemical dpc although he advised no replastering is needed.
The house has a slate dpc and I find it difficult to believe it could have failed on opposite walls. Could either low level Condensation or poor sub floor ventilation be the problem. The 1 airbrick at the back of the property had been blocked up with mortar. The front has 2 full airbricks (lounge) and 1 partially covered one below the front door (only half showing due to raised step).
Although part of the front garden was near the level of the dpc I have now lowered this and besides this is a good 3 metres away from some of the damp.
I’m waiting to organise another survey for a 2nd opinion but in the meantime would appreciate your thoughts.
