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ongoing damp problem... ni
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missma
Posts: 406 Forumite


in N. Ireland
Hi all
I have had an ongoing problem with what appears to be some sort of damp on corner kitchen walls. I had a full damp proof done about four years ago as the previous occupier had used the wrong plaster over the damp proof course. Anyway since this was done the kitchen wall has continued to cause ongoing problem. The house is a 1920's mid terrace. Last year I had a damp proof company look at it and he did not reccomend much. Then I had a builder fix and replaster the area, he fixed the yard wall as he felt the problem could be coming from there, but said due to they type of problem he could not guarantee the work.
I am getting so frustrated with this problem, the plaster is all bulging and coming off again and it does appear that the skirting boards are blackening. We hope to try to sell this property in about a year or so. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or knows anyone who will look at this without charging an arm and a leg. I do not mind spending money if problem was rectified. I use a dehumidifier in the kitchen regularly.
Thanks all
I have had an ongoing problem with what appears to be some sort of damp on corner kitchen walls. I had a full damp proof done about four years ago as the previous occupier had used the wrong plaster over the damp proof course. Anyway since this was done the kitchen wall has continued to cause ongoing problem. The house is a 1920's mid terrace. Last year I had a damp proof company look at it and he did not reccomend much. Then I had a builder fix and replaster the area, he fixed the yard wall as he felt the problem could be coming from there, but said due to they type of problem he could not guarantee the work.
I am getting so frustrated with this problem, the plaster is all bulging and coming off again and it does appear that the skirting boards are blackening. We hope to try to sell this property in about a year or so. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or knows anyone who will look at this without charging an arm and a leg. I do not mind spending money if problem was rectified. I use a dehumidifier in the kitchen regularly.
Thanks all
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Comments
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Hi,
What's on the other side of the kitchen wall, or above it? Is there something like a raised bed up against an exterior wall?
We've suffered two recent issues with damp. One was in a corner caused by a problem with the leadwork above an extension roof, the other was caused by the previous occupiers not capping a chimney pot. Look all around the problem and see if there's something out of the ordinary causing the problem.
Good luck!
BatCat0 -
hello,
when you had the "full damp proof" done four years ago,was it just a plaster patch job or did they put in a complete new dpc? did you not get a guarantee0 -
Looks like they fixed the wrong problem. Waterproof plaster is usually recommended for one metre above where the injected damproof course is put in. The wrong plaster originally put on may or may not have been waterproof, but since the new waterproof plaster is bulgeing out it looks like it is just retaining the water coming from behind and the problem has little to do with the type of plaster used.
As Badcat has said, look for water ingress on the outside. Check that the yard or soil level outside the wall is not higher than the floor level inside.
Also, have you ruled out condensation or a leaking radiator or water pipe under the floor?0 -
In our last house, we got new loft insulation and found in the winter we got very bad condensation and started getting black mold on our ceilings in the bedrooms. We woke up one morning and we had a great big damp patch on our bedroom ceiling.
Had someone out who advised it was due to steel beams and with the new insulation, heat was building in the loft and gathering on the beams causing it 'leak' through to the ceilings. They tried to cover the beams so water wouldn't build on it but didnt help much.
We eventually found a company in Lisburn, Nuair, that fits a ventilation type device to circulate the air air in the loft and keep it at a constant temp, which cleared all the damp and condensation on the upstairs and downstairs windows which was amazing.
If its in your kitchen I'm guessing it may not be the same thing, though you say its happening on the skirting too? Is it just all in the kitchen or is it happening in other rooms too? If its in several rooms, then I'd give Nuair a go. If its just happening in the kitchen, then something must be causing it, as previously said, look all round, inside and out and see if anything looks like a source of it. Maybe if you can post a pic to give folks an idea?
Good luck!0 -
Have a look here to see if you can get an insight into the cause
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/damp/0 -
Hi
Thanks all
Yea problem is in the kitchen, behind this wall is the neighbours yard wall and I have not really had access to there. It covers a large area of the wall, just would like the problem fixed. We did have a guarantee with the damp course but not sure it will cover this as I think it maybe another problem.0 -
missma
You should get a good Building Surveyor to look at it. Since you own the house the surveyor will be able to drill holes in the wall and put in probes into the holes to see how far into the wall the dampness goes. Not all surveyors have the equipment to do this. Many surveyors concentrate on just valuation surveys where they cannot drill holes in the wall as the vender will not normally allow it and an ordinary dampness meter with probes that just touch the surface is usually used. That just tells you if there is dampness on the surface of the wall. An experienced surveyor with the correct equipment should be able to do whatever investigations that are required to fully diagnose the problem and advise on a remedy. They should also be able to give advice on the legal side with regard to the original guarantee.0 -
Hi, I was just wondering, if you dont mind, how much it cost to get this installed in your house? I have heard of it and am quite interested as there is quite poor ventilation in my house and my bedroom suffers from condensation on the walls,
Thanks so much for your help!clueless1682 wrote: »In our last house, we got new loft insulation and found in the winter we got very bad condensation and started getting black mold on our ceilings in the bedrooms. We woke up one morning and we had a great big damp patch on our bedroom ceiling.
Had someone out who advised it was due to steel beams and with the new insulation, heat was building in the loft and gathering on the beams causing it 'leak' through to the ceilings. They tried to cover the beams so water wouldn't build on it but didnt help much.
We eventually found a company in Lisburn, Nuair, that fits a ventilation type device to circulate the air air in the loft and keep it at a constant temp, which cleared all the damp and condensation on the upstairs and downstairs windows which was amazing.
If its in your kitchen I'm guessing it may not be the same thing, though you say its happening on the skirting too? Is it just all in the kitchen or is it happening in other rooms too? If its in several rooms, then I'd give Nuair a go. If its just happening in the kitchen, then something must be causing it, as previously said, look all round, inside and out and see if anything looks like a source of it. Maybe if you can post a pic to give folks an idea?
Good luck!0 -
We had this fitted a few years ago and its been brilliant as it totally sorted out our condensation problem. It cost about £500 as far as I remember and was well worth the money!0
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Thanks all I wonder would summit like that air system help though the wall needs fixed anyway. When weather poor the wall feels damper. Times like this I wish I had a builder in the family0
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