Damp or Condensation?

Joined
23 Feb 2013
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
Location
London
Country
United Kingdom
Went to see an old house today 1920's wooden frame. Lot of the wallpaper all had large areas of bubbled wallpaper, some on the cold parts of the house, chimeny brests and strangely some internal walls. Does this indicate the roof or building in some way isn't sound, damp or condensation?
Its clearly in need of a lot of repair.
upload_2020-12-23_21-25-9.png



upload_2020-12-23_21-18-30.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-19-3.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-19-44.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-20-19.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-20-43.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-21-23.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-21-50.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-22-32.png

upload_2020-12-23_21-23-3.png
 
Sponsored Links
How long has it been empty, with no heating?

You'd need a specialist really.

Looks like a gem of a property on e it's all done up, looks a lot of work though.
 
I think potentially up to 2 years with no heating. Have a look at my thread in the windows section on the wood, as I think this is a wooden frame building and likely to be lime plaster? I read a load of stories about renovations using gypsum plaster causing issues later. I have an offer accepted and survey in Jan, but are their specialists in this type of building? I have no idea at all. Clearly its redo every room and window by the looks of things, got some builders booked to give us some quotes for the work.

This one is odd as thats an interior wall, other side is the hallway. When we viewed before the offer it had a lot of furniture that covered a lot of these damp areas.
upload_2020-12-24_0-4-23.png


Upstairs hall
upload_2020-12-24_0-10-12.png
 
Sponsored Links
Such a lot of water suggests a leak, either roof, or plumbing (may be under the floor) raising internal humidity.

Look for a water meter, and sniff under the floors and in the loft.

I have seen similar after a burst pipe in the loft.
 
2 years is quite a long time. And can be the cause for a lot of that.

With no heating etc it could be possible a pipe has burst.

A survey should tell you a lot.

Looks as though it might be a tear back to shell job and start again
 
Personally I think a lot of that is condensation. It looks very much like the condition our 1902 house was in (but ours was worse - internal walls were literally dripping). During renovation with no heating on, we had several days after a cold spell when the house was very cold, and the air outside warmed up and it rained, condensation from warm wet outside air on the cold internal walls was running - even dripping off the banister. Don't underestimate the amount of water condensation can create.

Our house also had major plaster damp 100% caused by the old man who lived there having a coal fire every day and living in one room. Those wet walls are now dry with nothing done except general renovation of surfaces and heating and ventilation.

I'm sure there are some leaks, but to me, I suspect stripped down with a bit of heating most of the issues you are seeing will disappear. My 2p.
 
Thanks all some really great ideas and advice to look into that make sense.

The house does also have a coal cupboard, so I expect the coal has been burnt until quite recently as the radiators look fairly new.

My issue now is trying to gauge costings for stripping back pretty much the whole house replastered(assume lime due to the wooden frame?), and I expect a re-wire while we are at it.

In terms of surveyors I assume all RICS people are OK but some may specialise in older buildings. Floor plan.
upload_2020-12-24_13-37-40.png

upload_2020-12-24_13-39-16.png
 
got some builders booked to give us some quotes for the work.

What is "the work".

The guy at heritage house https://www.heritage-house.org/ does heritage building surveys.

No way I would ask a builder for a general price. It needs breaking up into tranches of work with each stage prices separately, otherwise it's just an open ended cheque book ( so to speak - if we still used cheques)
 
I actually emailed Heritage House last night. Our current plan was to have 1 builder do an extension and all the renovations. I made need to rethink this approach as it seems quite specialist.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top