Penetrating damp ?

BoltonMinx

Hi

Bought my house 2 years ago and had a home buyer's survey which did not pick up any sign of damp. About a year ago I had a new valuation and the surveyor mentioned a potential damp problem. At the time, water was gathering near the front of the house after rainfall and I was told to fix this problem before tackling the damp issue.

We have now noticed that the internal north facing wall (I think) is slightly damp. The wallpaper has peeled off the small bedroom and nr the window in the hallway the wallpaper appears soft. The external walls are all coated and there is a cavity wall tie I beleive.

Im not sure how to proceed with this - i think its penetrating damp as the brickwork outside looks damp, but im no expert. Im going to dig out the documents left by the last owners but does anyone have any idea of costs and who to call to have a look ?

Very worried first time house owner :eek:

alanobrien

BoltonMinx wrote:

Hi

Bought my house 2 years ago and had a home buyer's survey which did not pick up any sign of damp. About a year ago I had a new valuation and the surveyor mentioned a potential damp problem. At the time, water was gathering near the front of the house after rainfall and I was told to fix this problem before tackling the damp issue.

We have now noticed that the internal north facing wall (I think) is slightly damp. The wallpaper has peeled off the small bedroom and nr the window in the hallway the wallpaper appears soft. The external walls are all coated and there is a cavity wall tie I beleive.

Im not sure how to proceed with this - i think its penetrating damp as the brickwork outside looks damp, but im no expert. Im going to dig out the documents left by the last owners but does anyone have any idea of costs and who to call to have a look ?

Very worried first time house owner :eek:

OK, water is gathering near the front of the house, so is it possible to put in a drain, or slope the front away from the house or even put in a basic soak away ?

As regards the internal wall, are you sure there is no condensation problem rather than damp?

The internal walls are all coated with what exactly ?

If you have wall ties then you have cavities. Walk around the house and check to see that the damp course has not been breached.

Costs would depend on what is found to be the problem.
A good surveyor should be able to provide an answer to what is really wrong.

I would not call a damp proofing company first as its in there interest to find a problem and charge you to fix it.

Best of luck.

BoltonMinx

alanobrien wrote:

OK, water is gathering near the front of the house, so is it possible to put in a drain, or slope the front away from the house or even put in a basic soak away ?

As regards the internal wall, are you sure there is no condensation problem rather than damp?

The internal walls are all coated with what exactly ?

If you have wall ties then you have cavities. Walk around the house and check to see that the damp course has not been breached.

Costs would depend on what is found to be the problem.
A good surveyor should be able to provide an answer to what is really wrong.

I would not call a damp proofing company first as its in there interest to find a problem and charge you to fix it.

Best of luck.

Thanks for that - I have sorted out the water not draining at the front of house last yr so happily thats one down.

I got a bit muddled up about the coating when I typed it.I meant the external walls have a coating which I beleive was to protect the brickwork. Bits of it are now chipping off so I was concerned damp might be seeping through. Unfortunately it also means I cant check to see where the damp problem is coming from - the exposed bits look slightly damp erm but its not exactly dry outside lol The chipping isnt bit clumps but it has come off the bits b/w the brick - the grouting ?

Anyway will call a surveyor and have it checked out

StephenB_2

You might want to have a look at Jeff Howell's site, http://www.ask-jeff.co.uk/ He talks about external waterproof coatings (generally bad), rising damp (generally a fairy story) moisture meters ("they do not really measure moisture") and lists a few damp experts. It's up to you whether or not you follow his advice, but you should pick up some handy background information which should hone your BS detector.

SJB

BoltonMinx

StephenB wrote:

You might want to have a look at Jeff Howell's site, http://www.ask-jeff.co.uk/ He talks about external waterproof coatings (generally bad), rising damp (generally a fairy story) moisture meters ("they do not really measure moisture") and lists a few damp experts. It's up to you whether or not you follow his advice, but you should pick up some handy background information which should hone your BS detector.

SJB

Brilliant thanks. Im always wary about being taken advantage of being a single lass

alanobrien

BoltonMinx wrote:

Thanks for that - I have sorted out the water not draining at the front of house last yr so happily thats one down.

I got a bit muddled up about the coating when I typed it.I meant the external walls have a coating which I beleive was to protect the brickwork. Bits of it are now chipping off so I was concerned damp might be seeping through. Unfortunately it also means I cant check to see where the damp problem is coming from - the exposed bits look slightly damp erm but its not exactly dry outside lol The chipping isnt bit clumps but it has come off the bits b/w the brick - the grouting ?

Anyway will call a surveyor and have it checked out

Sounds like you have rendered walls.
I had those in my last place.

Could be as simple as repiring the cracks / grouting and repainting with exterior wall paint, but see what an independant surveyor says.