Dampen my ardour

fatbeetle

Hi gang,

The tenant in my house is complaining of damp, and is using a dehumidifier. I'd like to get the problem fixed, not least because I intend moving back into the house myself early next year. ;-)

Can anyone give advice on getting a damp survey (costs? independent advice?) and how I should go about this? Are there good national firms for doing the work on damp problems, or should I look for a local firm with a good reputation?

(The house is in the Land's End area of Cornwall if that helps?)

I have a management agency looking after the place for me, but I live in Australia myself, which may complicate matters.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Doozergirl

What are the symptoms of the problem? Something being wet is not necessarily a sign of needing a 'damp specialist'. Damp specialists, are in many case nothing of the sort. They are 'damp proofing specialists' which often involves selling you a solution you don't need.

If they are using a dehumidifier, then I suspect the issue could be condensation. The usual suspects are a lack of insulation and/or ventilation. The water that cannot escape from a house with humid air condenses on cold patches. Symptoms will more often than not involve black mould.

I think that the seaside location and weather conditions can play a part, but I won't pretend that's an area I know much about, living in the Midlands

If you could describe the problem in more details, ideally with photos, then we might be able to help.

tacpot12

I'd echo the previous post and point out that a lack of heating is also a prime cause. If there was no dampness when you occupied the property is it likely to be the tenant's activities causing the problem, not a structural issue.

That said, tenants find it very difficult to change their behaviours and I have found it much easier to just install a fan controlled by a humidistat. The last one I installed cost just over £200 and fixed the problem (damp bathroom) without the tenant having to make any adjustments.

macman

9 times out of 10 it's the tenant-not opening windows, drying clothes on racks, heating inadequately...
Get your agent to inspect and take some photos. It should then be fairly obvious if it's rising damp, penetrating damp, or just condensation due to the above reasons.
You would only consider a 'damp specialist'; if it's rising damp-and a half decent builder can easily tackle both types anyway.

diamond_dave

If you live in Kernow as I do you will almost certainly have "damp" issues especially if you live in an older house or even a bungalow. My tenants have a dehumidifier and air the place regularly and thers's still some damp. Cornwall is WET -no getting away from it. Your tenants have to air the pace regularly. Don't waste your time getting damp experts.

nickcc

diamond_dave wrote: »

If you live in Kernow as I do you will almost certainly have "damp" issues especially if you live in an older house or even a bungalow. My tenants have a dehumidifier and air the place regularly and thers's still some damp. Cornwall is WET -no getting away from it. Your tenants have to air the pace regularly. Don't waste your time getting damp experts.

Totally agree. We live in Helston and both our previous house and present bungalow have damp. We have a dehumidifier in the bedroom which runs for about 8 hrs per day, this helps but any furniture placed close to walls will result in black mould on those walls. It doesn't matter if it's in the new part of the bungalow or the 30 year old original, you can't prevent damp even by opening windows every day and having extraction in bathrooms and kitchen.

Tahlullah

Along with the automatic extractor in the bathroom and kitchen, I would suggest a PIV - Positive Input Ventilation system. I would recommend the Envirovent with heating element and preferably remote control (regret not having the remote).

However, there are cheaper systems on the market and I guess much cheaper than a Damp-proofing Firm.

snowcat75

Just to echo the advice given, Many experts are not and will often attempt to sell solutions to the problem that cannot only not solve it but in certain instances make it worse. The list of reasons for damp is endless, and can be from anything from hard surfaces outside, to incorrect pointing, blocked air bricks, to condensation from cold layers. Without knowing the construction of the building looking at the elevations and the position of the damp its almost impossible to guess.

In my experience, 90% of all damp problems can be solved with very little expense, Its just a matter of investigating and researching the solutions, I would steer clear of any company's selling membrane, or chemical solutions.

fatbeetle

Many, many, thanks to all who have commented, (I bloody love this forum!)

Getting photos etc Doozergirl, would be difficult, as I say, I'm 12,000 miles from the problem. However I may ask the property manager to get them, and also to give me a more full description.

I agree with all the Kernow based people here that damp, wet, and rain in the Duchy are an inevitable feature of the place, mitigation is the best I can hope for!

I'll be back in touch if I have any further information to share