What is damp on internal walls if not rising damp?

ariba10

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

As I have said before in this section; I've had an independent damp surveyor and two builders tell me that rising damp definitely exists, but it's not as common as damp companies would like us to believe.

I understand that we are the only country in the world that puts a Damp Course in buildings?

Okydoky25

Hi thank you for the replys.

This problem is all year round and actually surfaced in June. There is no mould the walls feel wet to touch in places. The wall paper is dark and wet in patches or was until we stripped it off!

I don't dry clothes in the house. The last few weeks the windows have had condensation on them in the mornings and I have opened the windows. The back door is often open during the day.

It has no pattern. It is at floor level and 3ft up the wall. It is on the external walls and in patches on the internal walls. I have a patch 1/4 way up the wall on the stairs!? No signs at all upstairs apart from a little damp on the chimney breast in one bedroom. (We have 2 chimneys. One internal that is usable and one external that has previously been blocked off in the loft and boarded up downstairs) fireplace for this has been left in the bedroom. The internal fireplace is open down stairs and in another bedroom.

The house has 10yo Upvc windows.

Doozergirl

There doesn't need to be mould to have condensation.

In our house, the gable end is north facing and uninsulated, solid walls. Upstairs, that wall feels cold and slightly damp now. It's moisture condensating on that wall. It doesn't look wet at all but it's been replastered.

In our ensuite, we had a leak from above and it has stain blocking paint since we plastered. Those patches appear as wet when we shower, even with the extractor on.

Okydoky25

It's def wet. It is wet to touch and the builders measure thingy was off the scale.

Gordon_Hose

ariba10 wrote: »

I understand that we are the only country in the world that puts a Damp Course in buildings?

Your point is?

I'll take the word of an independent damp surveyor over yours. Thanks though.

ariba10

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

Your point is?

I'll take the word of an independent damp surveyor over yours. Thanks though.

It is you'r money you are spending.

You may spend it as you wish.

new_owner

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

As I have said before in this section; I've had an independent damp surveyor and two builders tell me that rising damp definitely exists, but it's not as common as damp companies would like us to believe.

These are usually the people who stick non breathable materials as a "cure" to old(er) house and make matters worse.

Had the same thing...I was told I had rising damp which would cost x amount to "cure" (New damp proof course as the old one had failed... etc)

I decided to ignore them (Mainly as my house does not have a damp proof course.. Never has and has stood for 120+ years).

Okydoky25

new_owner wrote: »

These are usually the people who stick non breathable materials as a "cure" to old(er) house and make matters worse.

Had the same thing...I was told I had rising damp which would cost x amount to "cure" (New damp proof course as the old one had failed... etc)

I decided to ignore them (Mainly as my house does not have a damp proof course.. Never has and has stood for 120+ years).

What did you do to solve it then?

DRP

Deal with external factors : high ground level, leaking gutters etc
Internal factors: increase ventilation, dig out subfloor to allow air to circulate, remove inappropriate use of 'waterproofing' type modern materials, try using permeable lime plaster.

katejo

Could it be the need for repointing and repainting of external walls? I had damp patches at the back in 2 rooms. I have just had most of the back of the house repointed/repainted and the drainage improved. Mine is a Victorian terrace.