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Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Have you had any damp problems? Im living in an old flat with serious damp problems and would really appreciate any advice, some of my neighbouring walls are so damp there is mould. The adjoining walks( outside) is flaking, there's been mention of rising damp and poor ventilation from different people ( landlord , builder) but no plan. Have you any knowledge or experience that can help? Be great to hear if you had.thanks
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Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
HI, I can think of ten reasons which could be causes of damp, most of which I've had experience of and learned from. What I haven't come across however is what you say are neighbouring walls. I'm assuming you mean internal walls that divide you from the flat next door? I'm not sure I know what adjoining walks outside flaking means to be honest.
I'd make sure that none of your air bricks on outside walls are blocked (or papered over or kitchen cupboards or wardrobes are blocking them - check if you can see any from the outside); also that you have an airflow, be it window vents or windows left slightly ajar. That won't cure the problem as nothing will until the cause is found. It could be something obscure like wall cavity insulation or something, since rising damp doesn't rise more than about a metre if the damp course is intact and not obscured (e.g. had soil piled up above it).
It is possible to hire industrial dehydrators, the sort that insurance companies use if a flood has occurred to draw out moisture, but costly and again a bit like King Canute against a rising tide if the cause is not remedied.
You could try Citizens' Advice to see what duty of care landlords have (or drive yourself dotty reading legal websites).
Hopefully another member will have a good plan.
I'd make sure that none of your air bricks on outside walls are blocked (or papered over or kitchen cupboards or wardrobes are blocking them - check if you can see any from the outside); also that you have an airflow, be it window vents or windows left slightly ajar. That won't cure the problem as nothing will until the cause is found. It could be something obscure like wall cavity insulation or something, since rising damp doesn't rise more than about a metre if the damp course is intact and not obscured (e.g. had soil piled up above it).
It is possible to hire industrial dehydrators, the sort that insurance companies use if a flood has occurred to draw out moisture, but costly and again a bit like King Canute against a rising tide if the cause is not remedied.
You could try Citizens' Advice to see what duty of care landlords have (or drive yourself dotty reading legal websites).
Hopefully another member will have a good plan.
Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Hi Baglady
I'm afraid I know a long, sad song about dealing with a damp proofing company. So before engaging anyone, if you'd like to PM me I will let you know the name of the companies I strongly advise you to be wary of using.
One of these companies was slated in a recent issue of Which? magazine. I happen to know they have outstanding CCJs against them, but Which? didn't mention this.
You may be able to view more on the Which? website, where I believe a forum is running about the subject, or ask the library if they have a copy of the magazine.
Installing a chemical damp proof course against rising damp is often the first thing that damp proofing companies will suggest. Often this isn't the cause or the solution.
Mosy's absolutely spot on with his or her remarks about ventilation and checking things from outside. Check the external ground level's not higher than the internal floor level, as this can cause problems. Any green patches on external walls could give clues to things like leaking pipes or gutters.
Presumably yours is a ground floor flat?
If you have mould inside this can be a serious health issue. I'd mention this to your landlord and if he doesn't do anything, then try Environmental Health.
I'm afraid I know a long, sad song about dealing with a damp proofing company. So before engaging anyone, if you'd like to PM me I will let you know the name of the companies I strongly advise you to be wary of using.
One of these companies was slated in a recent issue of Which? magazine. I happen to know they have outstanding CCJs against them, but Which? didn't mention this.
You may be able to view more on the Which? website, where I believe a forum is running about the subject, or ask the library if they have a copy of the magazine.
Installing a chemical damp proof course against rising damp is often the first thing that damp proofing companies will suggest. Often this isn't the cause or the solution.
Mosy's absolutely spot on with his or her remarks about ventilation and checking things from outside. Check the external ground level's not higher than the internal floor level, as this can cause problems. Any green patches on external walls could give clues to things like leaking pipes or gutters.
Presumably yours is a ground floor flat?
If you have mould inside this can be a serious health issue. I'd mention this to your landlord and if he doesn't do anything, then try Environmental Health.
Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Thanks for your replies and advice. I'm on a 1st floor flat Marymc.
The leaseholder has now promised to dampcourse the wall adjoining mine and the building next door. It's a start anyway!
Thanks again.
The leaseholder has now promised to dampcourse the wall adjoining mine and the building next door. It's a start anyway!
Thanks again.
Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Hi baglady
I'm PM'd you!
Whilst I'm very glad that your landlord is going to take some action, I believe that as you're on the first floor a damp proof course won't help you. Damp proof courses are an easy thing for damp proofing companies to suggest and easy to carry out. (So that seems to be the knee jerk suggestion of most of them.) But they protect against rising damp and rising damp just won't reach the first floor. It sounds to me more like penetrating damp or condensation.
I'm PM'd you!
Whilst I'm very glad that your landlord is going to take some action, I believe that as you're on the first floor a damp proof course won't help you. Damp proof courses are an easy thing for damp proofing companies to suggest and easy to carry out. (So that seems to be the knee jerk suggestion of most of them.) But they protect against rising damp and rising damp just won't reach the first floor. It sounds to me more like penetrating damp or condensation.
Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
I would endorse marymck's views on condensation and penetrating damp 100%
Often, an extractor fan will deal with condensation.
Penetrating damp is often caused by a leaking gutter or pipe.
Often, an extractor fan will deal with condensation.
Penetrating damp is often caused by a leaking gutter or pipe.
Re: Any advice on damp walls appreciated?
Just a thought baglady, and of course I don't know if this applies to you. But I believe gas fires can cause condensation - especially those ones with a cylinder that you wheel around. In my youth, I had one of these in a rented flat and it knocked out a truly horrendous amount of condensation.
And as mikej says: ventilate! Our houses are just too air tight - and getting worse with all these energy efficiency measures we need to sell our houses.
And as mikej says: ventilate! Our houses are just too air tight - and getting worse with all these energy efficiency measures we need to sell our houses.