Is this render causing all my damp problems (with pics!)

[kwazemowdoe]

Hi there I'm hoping a picture is worth a thousand words.... (see link below)

My wife and I have an end of terrace 1860's Victorian house over three levels in East London. The basement and ground floor hall both have evidence of damp - these being on the flank / end of terrace wall. As can be seen from the pictures the external wall has a driveway at ground level and some sort of render which I guess someone has added to try and fix the damp problems(?) The render has many hairline cracks in it. I'm worried this is making the problem worse. Anyone know what this render is and why it may have been added? What about the clay tiles on the ground, what are they likely to be for? Am I best to have it hacked off so the building can "breath" ?

We've been in the house now for 2 years and want to decorate, and remove the awful polystyrene backed wallpaper in the basement.

We've had approx 4 damp companies in who all say the same - hack off plaster, inject a DPC, do some tanking in the basement etc. etc. Costs vary from 1.8k - 3k. I've read a great deal of the negative posts about DPC treatment both here and on a Period Property forum.

Not sure what to do. Am I best off getting a general builder around to look at the problem (i.e. someone who doesn't just want to flog me a DPC system)? Or some kind of specialist?

ANy advice would be great. Many thanks in advance!

http://www.swalker2.f2s.com/Damp/

 

[kwazemowdoe]

Anyone? Is there enough info here for people to comment?

Any pointers appreciated !

Thanks

 

[greengrass]

If four companies have said the same thing you bet hacking off the rendering won't cure the problem. Neither can a builder unless he's a damp proof specialist a well as a builder.



All of it what's specialist treatment of DPC fluid injected in the walls and damproofing fluid added to the plaster mix.

You could cut the cost down if you are prepared to hack the plaster off going by instructions from the company you choose.

Be prepared to have bare walls for a while like we had. They drilled and filled the walls with Napoline DPC fluid and let the damp in the walls dry out which left white salts on the walls. That was cleared off and the napoid fluid was added to the plaster and it was guaranteed for 25yrs.

Cutting the rendering off won't make any difference unless the walls get treatment, plus it would look bloody orrible seeing cement patches on the wall. Leave it and coat it with clear waterproofing fluid brushed on not sprayed, unless the tin says it can be sprayed.

Try this company we had them many yrs ago to do our house [no basement] the service alley at the side serving the shops was higher than the DPC and the sealant used on construction [1912] had given up.
De brette's came around did a very clean and tidy job for as reasonable price. All rubbish was removed from site daily we were so pleased we gave the workers a few quid. Their website www.debrette.co.uk

 

[TexMex]

I'd hazard a guess that the render, in question, has diddly squat to do with your damp problem. On the contrary, I'd say It's more likely someones attempt to combat the same problem. Since it's a basement, it's unlikely to be a quick fix.

Tanking would be my favoured solution. I wouldn't give any recommendation regarding injection systems (positive or negative) since I know nothing about them. Before spending money on such a system, I would request references of similar work they may have done already. Don't just take their word for it either. Take the time to contact any customers they mention, to ensure they were happy with the result.

Call me a cynic, but if they're a reputable company, they'll be happy to oblige.

 

[GLKR]

I came across your post when I was looking for answers to a similar problem. I found this article, which may be useful to other people in the same situation:

http://www.heritage-house.org/damp.html

He's very adamant that cement render on old brick can exacerbate the problem of moisture in walls....