1860 house

[Anonymous]

My son has just renovated this house (correctly) as he thought, and now has damp on one inside wall. This wall was originally lime plastered and when he got it redone, just did it in ordinary plaster. Walls are not rendered outside. Do you think that the brickwork would need repointing first and then maybe the inside wall redone with lime plaster?

Would there be any other reason why this might be happening?

He is finding it very difficult in locating a professional damp surveyer in the canterbury area.

Advice, albeit very late, would be very welcome.

many thankks.

Worried father !!!

 

[Anonymous]

It is impossible to give any specific advise without seeing the job - too many variables.
However, if you end up stripping the lower half of the wall and using a lime plaster you have to remember that the paint finish must also be breathable. Pesumably the new wall finishes are emulsion? Therefore you need a finish that will cover both emulsion paint and retain the breathability of the new lime plaster. In similar situations I have used F&B casein distemper with great success. Sure, this is a bit of a bodge for the purists but it may help to minimise the works required.
Hope this little bit of information helps to get your son out of a tight corner. Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

The cause of the damp needs to be investigated and sorted out. It may well be defective pointing, or cement pointing where the water is getting behind through small cracks and soaking through. Re-point in lime if this is the case. Check the usual suspects - blocked and leaking gutters, for example, underfloor ventilation not adequate, high ground levels, etc.