Damp damp and more damp

[Nemesis]

I know - it's a terrible con. But it's making vast amounts of cash!

If the house already has chemical damp injection, why do they think you should opt for the same agin - as clearly it hasn't worked, according to their damp meters?

 

[NT]

quote="Melancholy"

> I hate the idea of being ripped off by the damp course sharks. One company asked me if I was single??!!! I quickly got a male friend to look well installed on my sofa by the time this shark came round to give me a quote...

Not sure I'd have welcomed them round at all. High pressure sellers like to make sure they get the 2 of you at once, if there are 2 of you, so its a bit of a giveaway.


> Bit worried about the idea of dodgy render or paint Gervase. The render seems in good condition. It was painted with a clear sealant when I bought the property 7 years ago on the advice of the surveyor. It was previously unpainted render and 2 years ago I had it painted with masonary paint .

Well, I fear both these will have helped increase the odds of a damp problem. The idea is to let the damp in the wall evaporate out, not lock it in. Creating a zero water input situation is not doable IRL, though many try. Wall water content depends on the ratio of water in to evaporatoin out, and trying to prevent water in is in practice not effective.

I'd just fill the hole with lime plaster (and lime paint it) and see what happens. It may or may not be enough to prevent recurrence, and its so simple easy and quick its worth trying it. If not effective you can do the proper solutions later, but theyre much more work. Injecting dpcs and waterproofing wont be any part of them, nor is there any need to fork out piles of money.


NT

 

[Melancholy]

Thanks NT - that sounds like a good cheaper option for now. Undoubtedly when I come to sell the property whether sooner or later those, moisture meters will come out and I will have to reduce the selling price or have some kind of damp proof remedial work done then to satisfy the mortgage lenders. It really its an area that needs addressing somehow.

 

[Nemesis]

Not that they are worth the paper they are printed on - but is there not a damp proof guarantee?

Also - the damp must be caused by something, any ideas what? And how long ago was it the injection was done?

 

[biffvernon]

Also - the damp must be caused by something, any ideas what?

Water?

 

[Nemesis]

Possibly... but how is in getting in?

 

[Melancholy]

Also - the damp must be caused by something, any ideas what?

Water?

I noticed this morning that the render is crumbling in a small spot just above the bottom metal edging strip. This seems to match the damp patch on the inside wall. Could this be the source? It is above the existing dpp.

I understand that DPP Injection work was done about 12-14 years ago. No idea if there was a DPP guarrantee and I have no longer any contact with the seller

 

[Melancholy]

Hey guys, dont give up on me yet

I will do the lime plaster/paint suggestion - but I remain concerned about the cause of the damp in the first place. Any ideas what I can do to find out?

 

[Mark]

I have to say that the combination of concrete floor, injected dpc, conc. render and coating is not exactly ideal.

But lets rule out other things as well - Thats a corner (Yep, I have a degree) what usually sits in the corner? I've seen a similar problem due to condensation in a corner which had a large metal filing cabinet in it. Predumably the cold object against a cold wall 'helped' the condensation set.

that apart damage to the render allowing water in would be a cause for concern. Water gets in but how does it go anywhere with all that armour plating ? I would repair the render and look to see what might have caused damage to it. Any gutters dripping on it ? Is it a corner that gets caught by wheely bins or similar going round.

If you really want to be melancholic you could make it a feature, start writing bad poetry and contract TB.

hth

M

Sorry - not feeling well and I fear this may have impacted my usual attitude.

 

[Penners]

Melancholy - have I understood correctly that this damp patch is on a chimney breast? If so, then the first and most logical thing to do is to fit a cap to the top of the chimney pot (assuming there is one). Certainly you need to stop the rain coming down the chimney somehow. But don't exclude the air - a capped chimney needs ventilation.

This may solve the problem, but it will take you some time to find out, because once the source of damp has been eliminated, the wall will still take weeks or months to dry out. You can hasten this by hacking off the plaster from the entire damp area. Don't replaster until it's dried out.

 

[Melancholy]

I have to say that the combination of concrete floor, injected dpc, conc. render and coating is not exactly ideal.

So I gather and it seems many of us have been ill-advised in the past.

But lets rule out other things as well - Thats a corner (Yep, I have a degree) what usually sits in the corner? I've seen a similar problem due to condensation in a corner which had a large metal filing cabinet in it. Predumably the cold object against a cold wall 'helped' the condensation set.

A leather foot stool lived there before. You are right - it is a corner- I know that cos I also have a degrees - 2 of em (tut)

Any gutters dripping on it ? Is it a corner that gets caught by wheely bins or similar going round.

No leaking gutters - in any event the roof goes to an apex on that wall. No dangerous wheelie bins in the vicinity. May have caught the render with my boot whilst pushing my motorbike past it

If you really want to be melancholic you could make it a feature, start writing bad poetry and contract TB.

Ouch. Its just a name. Hope you feel better soon

 

[Melancholy]

Melancholy - have I understood correctly that this damp patch is on a chimney breast? If so, then the first and most logical thing to do is to fit a cap to the top of the chimney pot (assuming there is one). Certainly you need to stop the rain coming down the chimney somehow. But don't exclude the air - a capped chimney needs ventilation.

chimney is capped