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I'm just about to send the info below to a local 'damp proofing specialist'.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
"Our house is approximately 100 years old and we bought it nine years ago.
The pre-purchase survey identified rising damp in a couple of rooms , and this was treated (effectively) at the time.
We have also experienced problems since then with:
1. Damp ‘spreading in’ around several windows
This has been attributed (rightly or wrongly) to the way that rendering has been applied outside by the previous owner, and the way that plaster allows moisture to progress past the UPVC windows that the previous owner installed.
It is more noticeable in wet weather/winter.
It has been treated in two rooms by removal of plaster/brick and replacement by damp-proof plaster.
In one area, the builder first inserted a vertical damp proof course as ‘the solution’, but this was ineffective and he then re-plastered as above, which was effective.
2. Damp spreading down the one remaining chimney (two chimneys were removed by the previous owner).
This is most noticeable in the main bedroom. There is a gas fire at the bottom of the chimney, which is rarely used, but we don’t wish to remove the fire and chimney. Soon after we moved in, there was a leak near the chimney and a roofer resolved this by repairing the flashing around the chimney. We subsequently mentioned the damp to him on another visit to repair tiles, and he assured us that the flashing itself was not defective. I have asked whether the damp is likely to be caused by condensation or rain ingress, but don’t have a definitive answer. The flue is not lined.
3. Damp/mould on walls inside fitted wardrobes in the main bedroom
This has been attributed (rightly or wrongly) as being the result of condensation. The wardrobes have been built in front of the outer wall of the house, the full length of the room. We’ve been advised that condensation will naturally occur there as it’s the coldest part of the room. We have double glazing and cavity wall insulation, though I’m unsure how good it is at this part of the wall. The situation is not helped by moisture from the shower which we also have in the bedroom. There are no ‘air vents’ in the room. A dehumidifier has previously been suggested.
4. Recently, the roof of the front bay window has leaked into the front room
We currently have a bucket catching water under the leaky area. The bay has a tiled roof, which doesn’t have any missing tiles. It was decorated internally in 2004 and there has been a gradual discolouration of the bay roof since then. I am unsure if there is an effective cavity tray in the wall above it (though I doubt it), or whether the more likely cause is defective rendering or flashing. We have had a similar problem at the rear of the house, though this is manifest by damp spreading down the wall to some sliding doors that were installed a couple of years ago as part of a kitchen extension.
I hope this give you a reasonable first view of our situation and I would be grateful if you could advise on the most appropriate way forward for these issues."
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
"Our house is approximately 100 years old and we bought it nine years ago.
The pre-purchase survey identified rising damp in a couple of rooms , and this was treated (effectively) at the time.
We have also experienced problems since then with:
1. Damp ‘spreading in’ around several windows
This has been attributed (rightly or wrongly) to the way that rendering has been applied outside by the previous owner, and the way that plaster allows moisture to progress past the UPVC windows that the previous owner installed.
It is more noticeable in wet weather/winter.
It has been treated in two rooms by removal of plaster/brick and replacement by damp-proof plaster.
In one area, the builder first inserted a vertical damp proof course as ‘the solution’, but this was ineffective and he then re-plastered as above, which was effective.
2. Damp spreading down the one remaining chimney (two chimneys were removed by the previous owner).
This is most noticeable in the main bedroom. There is a gas fire at the bottom of the chimney, which is rarely used, but we don’t wish to remove the fire and chimney. Soon after we moved in, there was a leak near the chimney and a roofer resolved this by repairing the flashing around the chimney. We subsequently mentioned the damp to him on another visit to repair tiles, and he assured us that the flashing itself was not defective. I have asked whether the damp is likely to be caused by condensation or rain ingress, but don’t have a definitive answer. The flue is not lined.
3. Damp/mould on walls inside fitted wardrobes in the main bedroom
This has been attributed (rightly or wrongly) as being the result of condensation. The wardrobes have been built in front of the outer wall of the house, the full length of the room. We’ve been advised that condensation will naturally occur there as it’s the coldest part of the room. We have double glazing and cavity wall insulation, though I’m unsure how good it is at this part of the wall. The situation is not helped by moisture from the shower which we also have in the bedroom. There are no ‘air vents’ in the room. A dehumidifier has previously been suggested.
4. Recently, the roof of the front bay window has leaked into the front room
We currently have a bucket catching water under the leaky area. The bay has a tiled roof, which doesn’t have any missing tiles. It was decorated internally in 2004 and there has been a gradual discolouration of the bay roof since then. I am unsure if there is an effective cavity tray in the wall above it (though I doubt it), or whether the more likely cause is defective rendering or flashing. We have had a similar problem at the rear of the house, though this is manifest by damp spreading down the wall to some sliding doors that were installed a couple of years ago as part of a kitchen extension.
I hope this give you a reasonable first view of our situation and I would be grateful if you could advise on the most appropriate way forward for these issues."
