Damp issues

[firapara]

Hi guys,

There is not section for Damp issues on this forum, so I decided to write here.

Question 1) I need a proper survey done in my ground floor Victorian flat. I called a couple of companies who gave me absolutely different causes and quotes. I am looking for some independent surveyor who can investigate everything and give me a full report, without trying to sell anything. Do you know who does these types of surveys and reports, some independent damp surveyor?

Question 2) While I am fighting with the damp, I need to decorate the rooms so that the mould would not come back for at least a few months, can you please recommend what is the best way to tackle mould? I understand that I need to fix the cause of damp first, but what can I do meanwhile?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Burnerman]

You need to ventilate the rooms, and preferably have a dehumidifier working for the duration, too.
Heat the place if you can, but press on to find the cause of the damp as a priority.
John

 

[firapara]

You need to ventilate the rooms, and preferably have a dehumidifier working for the duration, too.
Heat the place if you can, but press on to find the cause of the damp as a priority.
John

Thanks John,

When you say ventilate, do you have anything specific in mind? I am going to install trickle vent on to the UPVC windows.
Any other suggestions on ventilation?

 

[Burnerman]

Air exchange is the secret of the day, though I appreciate its difficult if the place is unoccupied!
Leave all the communicating doors open but I'd really consider a dehumidifier. Can you heat the place at all?
For the original dampness issue, check the air bricks around the property to see if you can reduce the tendency to develop mould.
John

 

[firapara]

Air exchange is the secret of the day, though I appreciate its difficult if the place is unoccupied!
Leave all the communicating doors open but I'd really consider a dehumidifier. Can you heat the place at all?
For the original dampness issue, check the air bricks around the property to see if you can reduce the tendency to develop mould.
John

Thanks John, will check the breathing bricks.

 

[foxhole]

Ventilation prevents mould, damp encourages mould, sort the damp first, where is the damp? below windows is often down to poor seal around the window, chimney breast? then look to the roof, check guttering and drains for blockages.

 

[firapara]

Thanks, will check seal around the windows. Thanks for the suggestion.

Any other areas to look for?

My ground level is quite high, so might be the DPC is not 6" above the ground. Would I need to do the injections or dig a trench around the house so that the ground level would be below 6" from the DPC? What is the best approach if the ground level is too high?

 

[^woody^]

If by damp you mean black mould, look for an independent environmental health consultant, or if you mean brown water stains, a building surveyor.

"Ventilate" is thrown around all too liberally and is a bit meaningless when in the midst of winter. Search this forum for some of Joe Malone's posts if you have mould and condensation damp.

Dealing with condensation is a fine balance, and it can relate to doing things differently around the house, or altering the building.

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

Black mould spots in corners is due to condensation, not enough heat and ventilation.
Frank

 

[firapara]

Thanks guys will look at improving the ventilation, but not too much otherwise it will be too cold

Question about a channel/trench around the house in order to drop the land level below the DPC. When they dig a channel and fill it with shingle, where does rain water go from this channel? Does the channel have to be connecting to a drainage, or will it be just drying on its own?