Damp

[Koolpc]

John, get your daughter to slow down. This sounds very much like condensation. Penetrating dampness in masonry walls is vanishingly rare. Black mould does not flourish in dampness caused by rainwater or rising ground water because the minerals prevent black mould from growing. Black mould loves purified water which comes from condensation. It is not impossible to have a combination of the two but, as I said, I have tested (properly) for penetrating dampness on hundreds of occasions and it always turns out to be condensation.

Photos of internal and external would be very useful.

This, 100%.

My bet is condensation. High humidity levels.

 

[john306]

John, get your daughter to slow down. This sounds very much like condensation. Penetrating dampness in masonry walls is vanishingly rare. Black mould does not flourish in dampness caused by rainwater or rising ground water because the minerals prevent black mould from growing. Black mould loves purified water which comes from condensation. It is not impossible to have a combination of the two but, as I said, I have tested (properly) for penetrating dampness on hundreds of occasions and it always turns out to be condensation.

Photos of internal and external would be very useful.

Thank you.
They are away for a few days now on honeymoon. They booked another quote before I told them about what woody said about getting an independent damp specialist in.
I'm going down tomorrow morning for this new quote, do I'll take some photos while I'm there.

 

[JP_]

If penetrating damp is an issue, why would you tackle that from work on the inside? Surely outside needs fixing to stop penetrating damp?

If solid walls, might be worth investigating external wall insulation, if penetrating damp is happening. Or just internal wall insulation if not. Internal insulation is a DIY job - I managed to do it!

 

[john306]

If penetrating damp is an issue, why would you tackle that from work on the inside? Surely outside needs fixing to stop penetrating damp?

If solid walls, might be worth investigating external wall insulation, if penetrating damp is happening. Or just internal wall insulation if not. Internal insulation is a DIY job - I managed to do it!

Thanks. That's why I posted here as we know nothing about how to solve this problem.
Having the quote of 4k was an eye opener, along with ripping off all the stairway wall down to brick and waterproofing etc.
I'll post photos tomorrow.

 

[JohnD]

Whatever the defect causing the damp, silicone injections will not repair it.

 

[blup]

Examples of how surveys can differ:

Three conflicting quotes on damp problem

We have had three surveyors from various companies (two local members of the Property Care Association, and a national company) looking at the damp problem in our house. Can anyone help with the following as they have all come up with different diagnosis and solutions? First surveyor...

www.diynot.com

Blup

 

[john306]

Examples of how surveys can differ:

Three conflicting quotes on damp problem

We have had three surveyors from various companies (two local members of the Property Care Association, and a national company) looking at the damp problem in our house. Can anyone help with the following as they have all come up with different diagnosis and solutions? First surveyor...

www.diynot.com

Blup

Wow that was a good read.
Just text the daughter to ask about what I read about condensation on windows and cold surfaces.
She said most windows soaking wet and sills needed wiping down daily.
I do hope for her sake it's condensation and nothing more serious.
Thank you.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

She said most windows soaking wet and sills needed wiping down daily.
I do hope for her sake it's condensation and nothing more serious.

Which confirms the cause is a high level of internal humidity. Too high a level of humidity, will condense out on the colder surfaces, such as windows, and the cooler walls. Reduce the humidity, and the wall will dry out.

Tell her to stop boiling pans without lids, plus open a window, or even better turn an extract cooker hood on. Stop drying washing in the house, putting damp clothes on radiators. Maybe use a dehumidifier too, to help. Use an extract fan in the bathroom.

 

[john306]

Which confirms the cause is a high level of internal humidity. Too high a level of humidity, will condense out on the colder surfaces, such as windows, and the cooler walls. Reduce the humidity, and the wall will dry out.

Tell her to stop boiling pans without lids, plus open a window, or even better turn an extract cooker hood on. Stop drying washing in the house, putting damp clothes on radiators. Maybe use a dehumidifier too, to help. Use an extract fan in the bathroom.

Which begs the question, why did the bloke who came out to quote not at least rule this as a possible cause, he just said it's penetrating damp it'll cost 4k to put right.
Ok that was silly, it was the money all
along.
Thanks.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Which begs the question, why did the bloke who came out to quote not at least rule this as a possible cause, he just said it's penetrating damp it'll cost 4k to put right.

Why would he attempt to rule anything out, when he has a possible £4K sale on the cards. The damp fixing industry is notorious for this..

 

[john306]

Bloke came around this morning.
Very pleasant chap.
Not pushy at all.
Immediately said condensation problem.
Lower area bottom of stairs could be rising damp and £250 to sort.
Went outside and said the render was newish and no problem. Definitely not penetrating damp.
Did mention to alleviate problem entirely would need stripping back to brick and insulated board fitted then plastered but would cost £0000s.
Another option was positive pressure device that fits in loft that was roughly £900.

 

[JohnD]

Lower area bottom of stairs could be rising damp and £250 to sort.
Went outside and said the render was newish and no problem. Definitely not penetrating damp.

Is this the hall floor?

That runs from the front door to the kitchen?

Have you got a water meter?

Is the floor wooden, with a void beneath, or is it concrete?

Does anybody drape wet washing in the house?

 

[^woody^]

Classic condensation.

Almost all of this can normally be prevented by taking simple changes in how the property is used, and all at no or little cost.

The moist air that settles on the walls is created by the occupants.

Extract steam at source from kitchen and bathrooms. Close kitchen door. Fit fans to these rooms and use them up to 30 minutes after bathing or cooking.

Open other doors to move air around the house

Use heating constant but low. Not high temp on/off cycles.

See other online condensation advice from reputable sources. Council housing department sites or Housing Associations have good advice as many of their properties have condensation issues and occupants with limited means.

 

[john306]

Is this the hall floor?

That runs from the front door to the kitchen?

Have you got a water meter?

Is the floor wooden, with a void beneath, or is it concrete?

Hi John,
Yes it's hall floor front door to kitchen.
No water meter.
No sure about floor, presume it's wooden as it got a definite slope towards the damp area.
Yes there was washing on radiators when we went in.

 

[JohnD]

Yes it's hall floor front door to kitchen.

In English houses built on the "universal plan" it is very common for the water supply pipe to travel from where the front gate used to be when the house was built, under the hall floor, and come up through the kitchen floor where the sink used to be when the house was built.

Water pipes commonly leak after 50-100 years.

This may well be relevant.

An experienced, wrinkly old plumber can detect a leak with a glass of water, provided you can find the stopcock by the gate (some numbskull may have buried or paved over it) or it can be done by a young person with sharp hearing. Taking up the carpet may tell you. Long term leaks cause subsidence which may make a floor settle.


P.s.
Water from a leaking pipe will also create humidity leading to massive condensation such as you see

This is all consistent so far