Do I actually need to damp-proof an old brick wall, or just contain the damp?

[MisterBoy]

My solid-brick Victorian house has rising damp on the north exterior wall. Historically there has clearly been an injection DPC but it has failed - most likely bridging as the external wall was rendered on top (now removed) and the ground level outside is higher than ideal.

I've got a quote to remedy this which involves cutting back the internal plaster to about 1.2m, injection DPC from the inside, and re-finishing with waterproof specialist plaster/render products.

I am considering installing period-style wood panelling and I'm wondering, to what extent is it important to stop the damp? Is it damaging to the structure of the wall itself, or just an issue for decoration and mould?
If I were to cut back to bare brick, could I fit wood panelling or would I still need to treat the brickwork? Is there any point plastering if it will be panenleed on top?

 

[RrogerD]

I simply added a radiator to the damp wall. It also had / has an air-vent next to it and so any dampness evaporating into the room would hopefully be vented out too.

 

[^woody^]

A damp wall behind panelling is going to warp or split the panels, but probably not before fungus starts to eat away at them.

 

[MisterBoy]

A damp wall behind panelling is going to warp or split the panels, but probably not before fungus starts to eat away at them.

Isn't that how the Victorians originally built though - the panelling was to hide the damp, with vent slots and an air gap?

 

[RrogerD]

Isn't that how the Victorians originally built though - the panelling was to hide the damp, with vent slots and an air gap?

I think modern houses and living styles are quite different to Victorian times. These days, everywhere is hermetically sealed for 'eco' reasons (apparently). There's little to no air movement. Olden-times there was always a constant draught coming into the rooms from under doors, around windows etc and then up through the chimney.

 

[MisterBoy]

I think modern houses and living styles are quite different to Victorian times. These days, everywhere is hermetically sealed for 'eco' reasons (apparently). There's little to no air movement. Olden-times there was always a constant draught coming into the rooms from under doors, around windows etc and then up through the chimney.

My place is still draughty

 

[foxhole]

Will be penetrating damp, remedy it .

 

[MisterBoy]

Will be penetrating damp, remedy it .

Why do you reckon that?

 

[endecotp]

the ground level outside is higher than ideal.

Fix that?

 

[ree]

OP,
We dont yet know what kind of damp you are dealing with - so why not post pics of the outside ground levels. & the interior signs of damp? Detailed pics & larger context views will help?
As above, ditch any ideas for installing panelling.
And ditch notions that ventilation will "cure" true damp defects. It wont.
Also FWIW, why not post the price of the quote you mention - some viewers of this thread might be DIY'ers with similar difficulties?

 

[MisterBoy]

OP,
We dont yet know what kind of damp you are dealing with - so why not post pics of the outside ground levels. & the interior signs of damp? Detailed pics & larger context views will help?
As above, ditch any ideas for installing panelling.
And ditch notions that ventilation will "cure" true damp defects. It wont.
Also FWIW, why not post the price of the quote you mention - some viewers of this thread might be DIY'ers with similar difficulties?

It's fairly classic symptoms, and confirmed by the professionals who inspected in person so not sure what point a photo is going to prove.. I am asking - on the presumption it is RD - to what extent it needs to be "cured", or can it be managed in more traditional ways.. ventilation, breathable materials, etc.

The quote I got was not too bad IMO. Around £4000 to treat 4 separate rooms cutting back the old plaster to brick 3-4 feet high, injecting DPC, re-plastering with damp-proof plaster and in more extreme cases, tanking type coating - leaving it made good ready for painting and redecoration on top. And I guess you get some sort of warranty and a certificate to show when you sell the house.

 

[endecotp]

confirmed by the professionals who inspected in person

Salesmen for the injectable damp proofing company?

 

[ree]

OP,
Your presumption not withstanding, you opened this thread to ask for advice but now you reject advice, & reject providing photos?
Thank you for posting details ref the D&T company quote - it might be helpful to those in similar positions but there's no way of roughly verifying the company, the work needed or the quote?
As above the D&T "professional" is often a sales person with a script.