Damp Loft Conversion

[alprod]

I have just moved into a refurbished house with a loft conversion. On two corners there is noticable damp on the plasterboards. This appears to be coming from the corner where the walls meet the ceiling and spreading down.

How do I tackle this without getting someone in to rip apart my new loft?

I was thinking of either getting a de-humidifyer in or maybe just cutting a hole in the plasterboard to vent it and let the air flow behind the plaster? Or I could do both. Would this help it?

It always pretty cold up there so will prob get a heater also.

Thanks for any advice,

Al

 

[Shytalkz]

Hi Al

Have you got a chimney that exits the roof at these points? Or a parapet wall that sticks up above roof level? If either of those, it could be that the lead flashing (or mortar flashing) has failed or become dislodged.

If not either of those, its possibly a tile or two that's gone walkies. Have a look outside and see what you can see.

Then again, it could be condensation, if the loft is not very well insulated in the ceiling, or there's a fault in its installation at these points.

Answers depend on determining what the cause is, so it's a process of elimination of any/all of the foregoing at this stage. Can you post some internal and external pix?

 

[^woody^]

If its damp, then its a waste of time dehumidifying as the next time it rains it will be damp again.

Is it wet after rain or is it more persitant - ie condensation related?

If its a leak then there is no need to rip the loft apart, as the repair will be done from the roof

 

[alprod]

Thanks for the responses.

I will take some pics tonight and post them. It appears to be constantly damp and spreading rather than just when it rains, in saying that though it has been raining constantly for the last week! I haven't noticed any condensation in the windows etc, so not sure if its that. I will have a look at the roof ans see where the chimney sits.

If it is condensation or even a leak would putting a vent in the plasterboard help it dry out any?

 

[alprod]

Hi Guys,

Couldnt get any pics up this weekend as i cant find my camera. I had a look out the roof windows and the areas where there is damp on walls is directly below the chimneys.

Where do i go from here. I have only bought the house 4 weeks ago so this is a bummer if its gonna cost alot to fix, but it needs done.

 

[Shytalkz]

Sounds like the flashing is defective in someway