problem with damp

savingsgirl

I want to decorate my dining room, unfortunately my ex took it upon himself to do a spot of electrics and perforated the damp proof thing in the walls! I am going to call a local builder and ask them to fix the problem but I wondered if anyone had any idea how much this might cost as money is tight (but not so much so that I wont get this sorted!)

coolagarry

What damp proof thing in the walls? Walls are normally made damp proof by leaving a gap between the outside wall and the inside wall. Drilling holes through it should no make any difference to the damp proofing?

savingsgirl

well that was I was told and I know everything was fine until he did it. I am just desparately trying to get it sorted now!

jonnyw_2

Unless you are calling a builder who you know and trust I would try and identify the problem first.

Drilling holes shouldnt create damp and there shouldnt be a damp proof thing in the walls which you could perforate.

Have you actually got signs of damp?

If not i wonder if someones winding you up?

savingsgirl

I have damp up my walls and on the floor - its terrible!

OddjobKIA

the damp proof thing savingsgirl is talking about is the membrane that goes under the floor and about a 12-18" up the wall I assume this is what he drilled through. A good sealer injected into the hole should cure it. If hubby drilled higher up the wall then the is probably a different problem How old is your house?

savingsgirl

OddjobKIA wrote:

the damp proof thing savingsgirl is talking about is the membrane that goes under the floor and about a 12-18" up the wall I assume this is what he drilled through. A good sealer injected into the hole should cure it. If hubby drilled higher up the wall then the is probably a different problem How old is your house?

thats exactly it! My house is about 35 years old. Membrane was the word I was looking for!!

OddjobKIA

your biggest problem now is drying out the damp that is now set into the plaster and concreate floor remove carpet floor etc wallpaper and get a heater (hire one from HSS or Jewsons) and leave on for a few days. Once done decorate as normal

You may need to plaster the area of wall that got damp ( get prices and learn from other mistakes agree a price and the work needed doing get it in writing and refuse anybody who doesn't agree to this,)
a larger area of wall might be done ie 4-5 ' either side of the damp area as damp penetrates along the underside of plaster.

savingsgirl

Thank you. I will still need to get sealer put in though?

jonnyw_2

Is your floor below ground level outside?