I found the source of the damp!

shortcrust

Just sharing a happy discovery.

My basement/wannbe garden room has had damp walls/floor in places since I bought the the house two years ago. I've just assumed it's 'one of those things' and managed it with dehumidifiers etc. Two weeks ago I removed the manky bit of carpet that's been covering the basement stairs - tiled concrete and bricks underneath, all very damp and mouldy. After scraping out a few spots of crumbling mortar I realised that the whole stair structure is a sealed void with two inches of wet mud at the bottom. I'm guessing it could still be moisture from a mains leak that was fixed a year ago. Two weeks of ventilation I've got dry walls and floors that haven't been dry since I moved in. Mortar that was black, damp and crumbling is slowly turning pale, dry and solid.

I might have a new set of problems when we get some proper rain, but a least I can avoid letting a reservoir of water build up again next to the walls. A reminder to find the source!

robatwork

It'll also make your pastry go soft.

shortcrust

robatwork wrote: »

It'll also make your pastry go soft.

Has somebody been talking about my soggy bottoms?!:mad:

SG27

shortcrust wrote: »

Just sharing a happy discovery.

My basement/wannbe garden room has had damp walls/floor in places since I bought the the house two years ago. I've just assumed it's 'one of those things' and managed it with dehumidifiers etc. Two weeks ago I removed the manky bit of carpet that's been covering the basement stairs - tiled concrete and bricks underneath, all very damp and mouldy. After scraping out a few spots of crumbling mortar I realised that the whole stair structure is a sealed void with two inches of wet mud at the bottom. I'm guessing it could still be moisture from a mains leak that was fixed a year ago. Two weeks of ventilation I've got dry walls and floors that haven't been dry since I moved in. Mortar that was black, damp and crumbling is slowly turning pale, dry and solid.

I might have a new set of problems when we get some proper rain, but a least I can avoid letting a reservoir of water build up again next to the walls. A reminder to find the source!

That sounds so satisfying to watch it slowly drying out!

shortcrust

SG27 wrote: »

That sounds so satisfying to watch it slowly drying out!

It really is! Though I might be getting a bit obsessed, constantly going down to check on it. If that’s the end of the damp for good I’ll have to get a new hobby.

Doozergirl

Yay, well done!!

I feel like a proud parent