Damp Concerns

Credit-Crunched

Hi I have a 1930 semi detached house, we have damp problems under the stairs (external wall) and in the built in wardrobes in the main bedroom (external wall)

What is the best way to establish the main causes of the damp, no other major probs in the house. Our render is in pretty bad condition and cracks are getting bigger.

Would a re render of the house be enough or does the damp need to be 'treated'?

IN south wales so if anyone could price up a render for a 3 bed semi that would be apprecaited!

budgetdiyer

What does the damp look like? 99% of the time black mould growth is condensation rather than damp ingress. Which given the locations you mention could well be caused by lack of airflow.

If the damp is more of a water stain then you have penetrating or rising damp (rising damp only appears 1m max above the outside ground level), so obviously would'nt be in a first floor room!

tony6403

Redoing the render should be a last resort.
The locations to which you refer are typical areas for this problem.
We had the same and now use a dehumidifier (in winter) which has sorted it.

phill99

I'd suggest condensation caused by lack of air flow and a cold outside wall. My uncle had a similar problem in his built in wardrobes in the main bedroom that were on an exposed outside wall. He had the cavity walls insulated and put some vents in the doors and the problem disappeared.