Damp at bottom of wall

[Anonymous]

We've just moved in to our edwardian detached - only to discover that the wallpaper on either side of the sitting room chimneybreast is damp and peeling. There is a faintly musty smell also.

Closer inspection reveals a tide marked area of loose plaster on the walls either side of the chimney and the sides of the chimney itself. The wallpaper on the front face of the chimneybreast looks as though there may be mould under it. On the outside wall the pointing is not great but it is not awful. Airbricks are fairly clean/clear and ground level outside is about two bricks below the damp proof course. The house is a very early cavity wall construction. There are no obvious signs of damp to the outside of the wall and no obvious causes (no guttering above to be blocked, etc).

Any ideas on possible causes?

Water ingress down chimney? Or could this be a genuine case of rising damp?

Opinions sought.

Interestingly none of this was repoerted in our full structural survey................

 

[Anonymous]

Well Helen - if you read my post below re rising damp and follow the link you will see that according to the ODPM it's such a serious and incurable condition that the only solution is bulldozing your house.

However, it's very difficult to say what the cause is without anyone inspecting the property really. Chimneys do seem to cause problems with damp however, although it could be totally unconnected - a leaking drain possibly?

The important thing is that you have had a survey which failed to pick up this problem, and that is negligence on the part of the surveyor possibly.

In the first instance I'd write immediately (keep a copy) and ask that this person returns and inspects the damp. If this person is a Chartered Surveyor then you should be able to have some redress for any apparent negligence, but before wheeling out the threats and big guns give then a chance to inspect and possibly offer some diagnosis and solutions.

And don't just accept it's 'rising damp'!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the speedy response.

We are contacting the surveyor regarding his apparent faux pas. I am hoping he will return to assess the problem and in part redeem himself.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

A not so uncommon problem is that of 'salt damp' around old chimneys. Caused by the build-up of hygroscopic salts via the long term burning of fossil fuels. These absorb water from the air.

Simple test - just taste the damp area - but make sure no cats or dogs have peed! You will taste salt - I kid ye not.

Dampness comes and goes depending on humidity