Recent content by alex.bennett

Since the patches are not wet to touch, it might still be a moisture issue from poor ventilation and cold walls, not just water ingress. You are running a dehumidifier, but maybe look at adding an extractor fan to this room. I'd definitely check the exterior of the house first for bad seals...

Your builder is only partly right here. Yes, you can change your garden level, but you can't push soil up against your neighbor's fence. A fence is not a retaining wall and will fail.

You can just use MDF or moisture-resistant plywood, screw it together, and then tile it or paint it to match your bathroom.

That rough look and mixed-up brick pattern likely mean this is an infill. When someone reduces the depth of a chimney breast, they often just patch the hole with whatever brick bits fit. That area was never meant to be exposed, which is why it doesn't have the clean stretcher bond you'd expect...

Brick slips might look okay, but it is an extra layer that could cause issues later. Maybe a compromise would be to just clean up the bricks as best you can and then see what a low-level plinth render looks like, not a full skirt. It would protect the base and still show more of your original...

Old lintels can be porous, especially if the paint has flaked off, so rain could soak through and work its way down inside the wall. Masonry paint will help, but it might not fully stop it if the brick or lintel itself is very porous. You could consider adding a small flashing or drip edge above...

That staining on the stone pillars looks pretty interesting, especially since it's so high up. It's too high for normal dampness or people touching it.

I wouldn’t seal that with expanding foam. Boilers need a clear path for ventilation, and blocking that gap could cause bigger safety problems.

Applying the Zinsser paint after cleaning is good, but check if you are adding extra moisture by drying clothes inside, or if large furniture is blocking airflow to that cold wall.

This is a tough spot, but it sounds like you have a strong defense here. You tried to inspect the issue and they blocked you, which hurts their case for non-cooperation. Since your guarantee covers damp proofing and not general condensation/mold issues, you are likely in the right, but you need...

I’ve done a fair bit of lead pointing and had the same issue. I found it helps to use smaller amounts at a time and pack it in gently rather than piling it in. Keep a damp sponge or rag handy to clean any stray smears right away. Tool it down slowly, and try not to drag your finger across the...

You can overhang a little, but only if the floor framing is strong enough and you keep the overhang small. Most people use cantilevered joists for this, but it has limits and you need the right spacing and length. If you want more than a small bump out, it’s usually easier to pour a bit more...

You’re right to start with removing the wood and using a dehumidifier. Those help a lot with keeping it under control. The HG remover should work fine, just make sure the area’s well ventilated.

SBR can help reduce vapour transmission, but it’s not really a substitute for a proper vapour control layer. It’s difficult to get a completely even, continuous coating, any small gap could let moisture through and cause condensation issues. If fitting a plastic membrane is too tricky, you...

That’s a lovely space to work with! The patio and lawn already have nice proportions! You could make the upper patio feel more private by adding a couple of raised planters or tall pots with bamboo or ornamental grasses. It’ll give you that “in the garden” feel instead of “on top of it.”