Damp proof course

[phil1963]

My house was built in 1884, so well before damp proof course was the norm for houses. Some damp has been sucked up by the plaster low down up to about a foot from the floor, on the inside of the wall.
What is the way forward - to strip off the plaster and treated the exposed brickwork with a waterproofing agent and then re-plaster, or get a damp-proof course put in ... is the latter easy???

 

[canter71]

The house has stood for well over a hundred years!
What makes you think it is rising damp?

 

[phil1963]

Just a thought as the rain normally hits the house from the other side and there are two bricks for this rain to penetrate ... is that possible? It is not a cavity wall design.

 

[canter71]

It is possible for rain to penetrate but it would need to be very persistent and torrential. But then that rain would be hitting all of the wall so you would expect it to be showing elsewhere.
Then the mortar may be suspect and the needing repointed but I expect you have checked this.
The most common cause of internal dampness by a long way is condensation.
Solid brick walls plastered on the inside are particularly vulnerable as they are going to be cold and condensation will naturally occur especially when the RH is high as in a bathroom or kitchen.

 

[phil1963]

What is best to aid reducation in size of the damp patch a) a dehumidifier or b) an air brick installed (looks like the original air-brick has been covered by a cupboard) albeit that it is 6 foot up the wall and well above the damp patch.