Is this damp?

aj9648

Hi

Could someone advise to let me know if this is damp or something else.

pic.twitter.com/fydAUxp6qI

Noticed it a few weeks ago and it's on the side wall just before the back door. It's not wet or anything. The wood on the skirting seems to be coming off as per one of the pics.

Thanks

Doozergirl

That link really doesn't work.

aj9648

Any better:

https://twitter.com/payrollexcel/status/509019588282310656/photo/1

Doozergirl

aj9648 wrote: »

Any better:

https://twitter.com/payrollexcel/status/509019588282310656/photo/1

Yes.

And yes, although it's not a great picture. Is that wallpaper? Old houses breathe and sometimes if the wallpaper has a vinyl element to it (sometimes just a fine layer that helps keep the paper straight) it can get a bit of a sweat on underneath and starts to lift the paper.

They often didn't damp proof internal walls that are structural and so you can get a bit of damp on those walls. Ventilation is important, but but observing what is under the wallpaper would be the best thing. If you have the luxury of time, strip it off, clean it down and wait.

Is the room well ventilated? I do think it's a little bit of damp rather than just condensation, but it really won't help and it looks pretty minor to start hacking the walls (unless they need it anyway).

aj9648

Thanks for your help.

What kind of profession do I need to get hold of to sort this? Builder? Would it be covered under insurance?

phill99

If it manifests itself in the next few weeks as white powder, its likely to be damp! However you may need to give it a few eeeks to see it.

cyclonebri1

It's more than damp, you also have wet or dry rot + damp.

You need to rip out all affected timber and strip off the rotted plaster to determine the source.
Just remember that penetrating damp is far more common than rising damp

tonyh66

looking at the disintegrated wood in the photo its definitely an advanced case of wet rot, dry rot is more fungal and makes the wood look lighter and flaky compared to the dark looking stuff you have there.

aj9648

Thanks. Would I need a builder to sort this?

tonyh66

looking at the photos, viewing the upvc backdoor from the inside, the righthand side (pic 1), is that wallpaper? is it peeling off? I would remove it to see what the wall is like underneath. Is it like that further up the wall?
Picture 2, the wall looks drier but the skirting is rotten, what is that on the left hand side pushed up against the wall?
How long has the UPVC door been installed? has the sealant on the outside of the door around the edges failed.
Personally I would DIY it, take the paper off the wall, buy a cheap moisture meter off Ebay (may not need one if the wall is physically wet to the touch).
Remove the rotten skirting.
Have a look at the sealant around the door externally, if there is bits missing or falling off or loose you need to re do it.

cyclonebri1

There is a very easy and effective way to check for damp.
Get hold of a piece of clear polythene about 12" square.
Wipe the wall with a dry cloth, then tape the poly to the wall ensuring all edges are sealed.

Check in the morning, any misting on the inside, and you have some form of damp.
Again, because it's easy to go off on the wrong track, it's far more likely to be penetrating damp for some reason than it is to be rising damp.
There are experts in this field that deny rising damp even exists, just something to bear in mind.