Is it damp? and wallpaper by wb stove?

candice56

Hi 2 quandries that I would love some answers to and maybe just second opinions.

1. My house is about 100 years old - very thick stone walls. There are patio doors in living room leading out to concrete area. Doors are vitually level with floor outside, maybe 5 inches up at opening. Inside were two planks of laminate laid by previous owner in alcove bit to meet the carpet, then carpet all around room. We are having new carpet throughout so took the laminate up straight away - Low and Behold there is a thin layer of concrete(?) on top of normal concrete floor which has damp patches all over, mostly coming from doors and the gripper at edge of carpet completely wet. Using a dehumidifier dries it in about a day but it has returned every time (and raining almost every day). How do I fix this?

2. Same room, removed a fake fireplace and are having a woodburning stove fitted in the soon to be reopened fireplace. Walls are always cold and previously signs of damp on wallpaper at low edges by mantalpiece edge - dark patch and peeling up. Can I wallpaper this wall again with a hot stove there? will it peel? if i only have a overhead mantel can i wallpaper to the edge of the fireplace opening? If I get the wall skimmed for painting will using the stove damage the drying process of the plaster?

Thanks in advance sorry for being loooong winded!!