Does chemical damp proofing work?

[Gary111]

Hi I have a flat which seems damp, paint peels off the walls, the electric sockets corrode inside.
Is the answer to hack off the plaster half way up and inject with chemical dpc?
At some point I will probably need to insulate the place maybe internally.

I have seen a video that seems to be saying this dpc kind of treatment is a scam and unnecessary.

Also I guess this would not help the joists as they would be below that level?

 

[Deleted member 292770]

.

 

[Gary111]

.

?

 

[spannerzone]

I'm no expert at all but when I had some minor damp issues, I looked at the likely sources before trying to remedy. Is there a leaking pipe? is the ground level outside bridging the damp proof course, failing bricks or motar, leaking gutters, missing roof tiles, basement, high water table etc, drying clothes indoors, no or poor extraction from kitchen and bathroom. Lots of steamy cooking, lots of showers etc with no extrator fan generates lots of moisture with nowhere to go.

My issues were pretty much due to condensation forming on the internal walls, mostly in humid days. I fitted a couple of extra air bricks front and rear of the house to get more air moving in the cavity (no major improvement) then I fitted a loft mounted 'Piv' postive input ventilation fan from Nuaire which gently forces air from the loft into the house to keep air fresh, this seemed to solve my moisture issues and I've never looked back. On a previous house, I made the mistake of getting a damp proof 'specialist' in, who naturally suggested inject dpm, replastering up to 2m etc etc and I am sure it was not required in hindsight.

You'll find damp issues on forums really hit a nerve, some are adament that rising damp is a myth, some say it exists and you get lots of opinions. Research as much as you can and see if you can find the source.

 

[^woody^]

seems damp

Is it or isn't it?

Structural damp or condensation damp?

Do you own the freehold?

 

[Gary111]

Thanks Spannerzone, tbh I don't think it has a dpc I can't see one anyway.

I do have a piv unit that definitely helps with condensation.

The paint is flaking off though on the side of the old chimney breast.

 

[tell80]

OP,
Slow down & start with a simple logical approach - for now, forget about "chemical damp proofing" or the existence of rising damp. Find the cause or causes of your damp condition.
Why not post pics of the damp or damaged areas esp around the chimney breast?
And pics of the outside of the wall?

Is the wall cavity or solid?

 

[JohnD]

Is the answer to hack off the plaster half way up and inject with chemical dpc?

you have given us no reason to believe that.

Where is the water coming from?

post some photos. Of the whole wall. inside and out. At ground level and all the way up to the roof and gutters.

include all plumbing, downpipes, drains and other sources of water.

 

[Gary111]

 

[Gary111]

 

[Gary111]

The last one shows the paint bubbling, the second after I scraped it off.
It seems to be on the corners, which makes me wonder if it's condensation on the metal corner under the plaster.

But also part way up the side of the disused fireplace.

 

[Gary111]

I am wondering about the chemical dpc as I had a damp company quote me for that.

 

[tell80]

Thanks for the pics.
You show the LH side of a chimney breast - can you show pics of the front face and the RH side?
If you have similar damage elsewhere in the flat can you post pics of it?

The metal corner bead is rusting, indicating the presence of some kind of damp.
The skim finish plaster looks to have been applied over existing damp damage - maybe to conceal it?

Is the back of the c/breast an outside wall?
Has anyone been under the floor to examine the condition of the joists - or if you still have a hearth
below the FFL?

 

[Gary111]

Thanks for your reply, the other parts look fine now, as I painted around a year ago.
It's just a generally damp flat eg electric sockets get corroded.

It has a laminate floor fitted, no one has been under there since I bought in 2014.

Sorry I am not sure what a hearth under the ffl means.

 

[JohnD]

Stand back and take wider pics of the whole wall, inside and out.

Include the fireplace and the top of the chimney

Chemicals do not repair leaks or building defects.