Damp in old walls

[Anonymous]

My mother has an 18thC stone thatched cottage, which is Grade 2 listed but has been somewhat neglected, and she is anxious to rectify this.
She has some rotten skirting boards which can be replaced, but which indicate that obviously there is damp in the walls. She is noticing this both on exterior walls and the wall between her cottage and the neighbouring property - all of which are incredibly thick walls. She's very worried about what this implies - does she need a damp proof course? If so, is this more problematic in older properties? Would it be a very expensive job and should she be approaching a specialist company to do it given that the walls in question are built of stone?
Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[Anonymous]

"She's very worried about what this implies - does she need a damp proof course?"

Probably not. However, she does need to employ a specialist independent surveyor to tell her what teh current situation is and how it can be improved.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

NOT a man with a van and a vested interest in flogging her a chemical injection DPC...

If we know where the cottage is, maybe some real experts could be suggested?

 

[Anonymous]

Evelyn,

My sis in law is proceeding with the purchase of the house I mentioned before.

DO you know of a decent damp guy/gal in Staffordshire/West Midlands, or where should I look?

The ones she found came round, said there was damp, new dpc........... When asked about the render on the outside maybe causing a breach of the existing dpc, they said, well that won't make the internal wall damp.......... You need a new floor with a membrane to stop the damp rising.

I'm a little unsure about all this and want her to get a 2nd "proper" opinion.

Graham

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

Well - try clicking on Matt Green's name - see profile - I'm sure that he can recommend someone.

 

[Anonymous]

He's only round the corner, he'll no doubt recommend himself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks a bunch Evelyn.

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

Matt,
Is this the sort of work you do, as Evelyn implies and your link from your profile backs up?
My Sister in Law is looking at a house in Cheslyn Hay, about 1/2 hour or so from your offices. Can we discuss this?
Contact me on
graham.hughes at dvds2treasure.co.uk

Cheers

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matt and Evelyn for your comments. Fear of a 'man with a van' offering quick solutions is what has motivated me to post here - I am far too obviously ignorant on the subject!

The house is in Esat Northamptonshire (close to the border with Bedfordshire). Any suggestions on how to go about finding a trustworthy specialist surveyor?

Many thanks again!

 

[Anonymous]

Well Ridout Associates is pretty well thought of you know ... or I wouldn't have mentioned it! And yes nearby <IMG SRC="http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/discussing/smileys/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="">

If Matt (he's got a PhD in something connected with rot and stuff - boring but necessary I suppose) Green doesn't think it's Ridouts type of work I know he will tell you some useful people who will.

I'd give him a ring personally...

 

[Anonymous]

Look at Seeking Specialists here - or give SPAB a ring for a name.



http://www.spab.org.uk

 

[Anonymous]

I am new to the site, a semi retired period building surveyor with some experience with timber framing in old and listed houses, woodworm,rot and damp.no charge no axe to grind just willing and happy to advise on a problem to keep my hand in,remember no fees, just what help I can offer, happy to recieve feedback.
Breifly viewing the pics of the offending wall I'd agree that the radiatior pipe looks suspicious, generally I found over 40 years in the field so to speak that 1 metre was about tops for "rising" damp and often corners can attract some mould growth. it would be interesting to know what is on the other side of the wall.Thank your contributors for the detail that mould requires freshwater source, interesting..If anyone wants to discuss further please contact me..

 

[Anonymous]

Paul,

Are you still in East Anglia? In which case help would need to be via email only I suspect, can't see you coming to Staffordshire for no fee!!!!!

What would you need to be able to advise on a damp problem.

My contact emil address is in one of my above replies.

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

Actually now based in Leicestershire close to Loughborough. Let me know where u are or email me direct hoppercp@btinternet.com. It depends where u are in Staffs. Otherwise advise of as many setails as you can by email with pics if possible and I will try to help............Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Done.

Sorry for the late response, I was caught up with otehr work in the office today.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a reputable surveyor for a property built in 1804 in Devon? I have damp and powdery substance on a gable wall by a river. This wall also had a plastered over fireplace with a chimney that was cutoff. The other gable wall was damp to the touch, and I suspect it was due to lateral penetrating damp, as the ground on the other side of the wall was about 3 feet up! Any recommendations for surveyors/contractors in the Devon area would be most welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

You could try PC he's a regular on this site I think he's in the next county of Somerset.

He's a damp/timber surveyor specialises in old buildings.

Robbo