Damp - what is 'tanking' out?

HappyG1rl

Need to have the wall of our front room tanked out. What does it mean? Surveyor picked it up.

alanobrien

See here;

http://www.rentokil-propertycare.co.uk/dampness/pen_damp.php?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=damp

also download the "more info" PDF file.

ormus

check out the net first, re rising damp.

the real experts will tell you that such a thing hardly ever exist!
speak to the building research estab at watford. they once built a house with a cellar and flooded it. they could not reproduce rising damp!!!

your trouble is almost certainly something else.
do some research before spending any money.

Debt_Free_Chick

Toots wrote: »

The company we got in have said it is rising damp and needs to have chemical injections and 'tanking' out up to a metre high with rendering being of a specific mix in order for the work to be guaranteed. The cost isn't excessive (£590) but just need to fully understand what they mean.

Did this company happen to sell chemical injection DPCs :rolleyes: ?

Suggest you get a specialist surveyor out - one with real knowledge & experience of period properties.

How long have you lived here? Could it be years of condensation which has not yet dried out?

real1314

I'm in a simlar position - had a survey which cries damp, but I don;t think it is.

anyone know of any real damp surveyors that do checks? in north mcr?

anyway, if rising damp is a real problem, then why aren't garden walls all sopping wet?

Canucklehead

Toots wrote: »

.

There is just a small passageway between the kitchen and the bathroom. Having taken the plaster off the walls we can see damp on the wall but it is below the damp proof course which to me is totally acceptable.

Isn't a damp course meant to be below floor level? My OH just reminded me that she found the following site very useful when we were addressing damp at our former home i.e. 1870s stone semi... http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/diyelem/extwalls/damp/damp.htm

Corgi Guy.

real1314

a DPC is usually about 300mm above floor level - if it were below floor level, and therefore at or below the outside ground level, the "damp" would just go round the DPC via the external ground.

Canucklehead

Hi real1314,

From the link previously supplied http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/diyelem/extwalls/damp/dpdamp.htm

I think the terms 'floor' and 'ground' are being confused.
I described what is in the link. What you described is IMO what the op has.

Oh and yes to the wall. Whilst travelling too and from work we saw the building of a new wall fronting the road, after it was finished we saw damp rising up, it now varies between one course of bricks and about five along the length of the wall.

Corgi Guy.

Debt_Free_Chick

I have to admit that I place more faith in Victorian builders and their ability to deal with damp, than I do modern chemical treatments.

Damp was known about and the Victorians dealt with it. Of course, they probably didn't have the same issues that we do with condensation, though.

As for specialist advice - a surveyor with particular knowledge of period properties, especially damp issues. Call a few independent Chartered Surveyors and see if you can have a quick chat. Helps to establish some trust & credibility and you can see what they recommend. Probably, they will take a look, tell you "what's what" and leave you with little work & expense to contend with.

Search the RICS database for a local surveyor

Debt_Free_Chick

The Advanced Search facility may produce better results.

Secret1234

Hi my OH is a damp proof contractor who can carry out a survey on your property, i have a website for him but not too sure if i'm allowed to post it. PM me if you need it, we are based in Bolton but he'll do jobs all across the north west.

JK x