Hi all,
We have had damp in our walls in the kitchen for some time now.... Had a visit from a Damp proof specialist.
Previously, our land lord had put a vent into the bottom of the wall. The damp proofing guy said that this let cold air in through the bottom, which meets warm air at the top of the room, creating damp. Makes total sense.
He also said that the plaster that had been used in the walls was the wrong kind and that it simply soaks up the moisture, resulting in the damp, a bi product of which can be black toxic mould (he used a machine to measure damp levels, the reading was in the red. Normal levels should be up to around 4. These were around 7-8).
Obviously the damp and mould has health implications. I work from home so am here a lot and have actually been feeling run down, with cold like symptoms for over a year and a half..... I have had no alternative but just to shrug it off.
In any case, the contractor said that the solution was to strip all the plaster off to the brick work, replaster with a sand and cement render, brick up existing vent. New vent blocks in top of wall and a 'lofty'/ ceiling fan in roof to ventilate.
Ball park figure at the mo is £3000 + . I imagine a hard time with the land lord trying to get him to part with this.
I will prob get a 2nd estimate also, just to compare. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
The Damp proofing guy really seemed to know his stuff and I believe what he is saying but any thoughts/input would be appreciated.
Especially in regards to the validity of the work I was told needs doing.
Thanks in advance
We have had damp in our walls in the kitchen for some time now.... Had a visit from a Damp proof specialist.
Previously, our land lord had put a vent into the bottom of the wall. The damp proofing guy said that this let cold air in through the bottom, which meets warm air at the top of the room, creating damp. Makes total sense.
He also said that the plaster that had been used in the walls was the wrong kind and that it simply soaks up the moisture, resulting in the damp, a bi product of which can be black toxic mould (he used a machine to measure damp levels, the reading was in the red. Normal levels should be up to around 4. These were around 7-8).
Obviously the damp and mould has health implications. I work from home so am here a lot and have actually been feeling run down, with cold like symptoms for over a year and a half..... I have had no alternative but just to shrug it off.
In any case, the contractor said that the solution was to strip all the plaster off to the brick work, replaster with a sand and cement render, brick up existing vent. New vent blocks in top of wall and a 'lofty'/ ceiling fan in roof to ventilate.
Ball park figure at the mo is £3000 + . I imagine a hard time with the land lord trying to get him to part with this.
I will prob get a 2nd estimate also, just to compare. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
The Damp proofing guy really seemed to know his stuff and I believe what he is saying but any thoughts/input would be appreciated.
Especially in regards to the validity of the work I was told needs doing.
Thanks in advance