Does anyone know about damp and am I getting the correct advice ?

Kentuniversity

Hi all,

We have just moved into out Bungalow a few months ago with a new mortgage.

We are now looking to replace the kitchen units. We have had a few companies around to give us a few quotes; for example B&Q, Wren, local companies, etc. and basically we are going to have to pay few thousand pounds to get the units done.

All of the companies have pointed out that we have a small damp problem in the kitchen. If you feel the wall underneath the sink, you can feel that wall is damp. There is also a slight mould patch on the right hand corner of the ceiling. I think that the damp issue is being caused by a huge hedge that is in front of the kitchen and in front of the sink. We are not damp experts so would be grateful if someone could advise us.

B&Q have just advised that they will advise us on the damp after they do a survey before the kitchen installation. The local company damp 'expert' just says that the problem is due to condensation but does not think that it would cost more than a few £100s to fix. However, he did not look at damp wall beneath the sink and, I am being honest, I wasn't convinced that he was being totally truthful. To be fair, I will advise that we do get a lot of condensation throughout the bungalow especially during the winter months. Would air bricks or valves in the window help ? He also advised me the only way to find out the root cause of the damp would be to strip out the kitchen units and have look at the front-facing external wall. Is this correct ?

The local checkatrade company gets excellent customer feedback and is our favourite. However, until we get some sort of of confirmation with regards the damp, we do not know how to proceed.

Please help and advise.

Thanks

adamg

My advice find out who done your survey and sue them

daveyjp

Damp under a sink could be down to a leaking water pipe or drain. Damp at high level could be from a completely differnt source.

In a corner of a bungalow ceiling it suggests water ingress from the gutter or roof.

Neither would cause me great concern.

Kentuniversity

daveyjp wrote: »

Damp under a sink could be down to a leaking water pipe or drain. Damp at high level could be from a completely differnt source.

In a corner of a bungalow ceiling it suggests water ingress from the gutter or roof.

Neither would cause me great concern.

Thanks for your advice.

Just one question, does your advice need for the kitchen units to be removed to confirm the root cause as I have been advised ?

Thanks

Kentuniversity

adamg wrote: »

My advice find out who done your survey and sue them

Er no...without giving my P&C details, this is not an option !!

Kentuniversity

Bumped for a response.

Thanks.

phill99

Since when have b & q been known for their expertise in damp remedies?

Condensation is a problem in many houses now and is the biggest single cause of 'damp' in houses. It's. caused by your lifestyle rather than a problem with the structure ie excessive moisture due to showering, bathing and cooking and inadequate ventilaition.

Extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom will really reduce the condensation as will opening the trickle vents on windows. Keeping the door shut after bathing or showering will also help.

Damp under the sink is often caused by leaks in either the water supply or the waste. I would suggest getting a decent builder in rather than a damp 'specialist' who will sell you their product and servce regardless of whether it will cure your problems.

steppevos

I am with phill99: condensation has a lot to do with live style. Given that you have a lot of condensation in the winter, then it is like that the coldest spots on walls have almost permanent condensation.

The solution will be
1) less humidity in the house: extracter fans in kitchen and bathroom(s); washing drying outside or a tumble dryer with output outside
2) more ventilation: windows open more regularly; airbrickets or always open trickle vents in windows (can be installed afterwards in existing UPVC windows by a competent DIY-er if not already present)

A combination of these solutions has reduced condensation in our house to a minimum.

This all said, there also may be is a specific issue in your kitchen...
Some causes have been suggested by others.

Many damp solution try to remedy the effects of high humidity/condensation (and may cause it to come back at other places). Finding and addressing the causes of damp should be your first priority.

rooflover

What I have found causing condensation is too much loft insulation and old felt on the underside of the roof. This combination can cause severe condensation and in time rots the felt at the eaves. This then causes the excessive moisture to run down the cavities causing damp in other areas. Have you got much fibreglass insulation? Just a thought!