Can a survey pick up damp in the summer?

Bexgrossman

I have laminate (floating floor) and normal floorboards underneath

Doozergirl

Bexgrossman wrote: »

I have laminate (floating floor) and normal floorboards underneath

Then you need air bricks because I haven't seen any.

Are you keeping the laminate? It would be a good idea to inspect the joists under the floorboards if you were planning to change it.

Bexgrossman

I would rather do what needs to be done now before I get all my nice furniture/have money. The houses was built 110 years ago. Why are issues happening now, surely common sense would show there is no issue. Obviously I don’t know anything and need educating.

Why haven’t air bricks been put in the house before? Is it expensive?

Going forward shall I get all of that side rendered? Better to get it all of the wall done at once? The builder said he would do the chimney area to get rid of the damp upstairs.

With regards to the chimneys, only one has an air brick (inside). That chimney also has a wood burner.

Doozergirl

No, no rendering! You need to understand how old houses work and that modern building methods are often what cause the problems in the first place. There is no need for render. I'm quite confident that I'm repeating myself here but it covers the issue, it does not solve it. There are long term issues going on there that will continue unless you stop the water getting in in the first place. It doesn't get there by magic, there is always a reason and always a proper solution that never involves render or chemicals.

Have a read of this website.

https://www.heritage-house.org/damp-and-condensation/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

I can only see a few pictures of your house and haven't seen the front, but if there isn't an air brick at the back then it's likely that it disappeared when that doorway was created from a window and is now blocked by the steps.

Damp is not prevented in an old house by adding things to a house - not chemicals, not cement. You prevent damp by removing the source. You clearly have an issue on the top of the buttress wall which will be seeping through the mortar and escaping partly into your house.

I also think you have an issue up top. Why else would you have damp on an internal chimney breast upstairs? I would like to see more of that side wall too, up to the roof line, see if I'm right that something is tracking down. There may be more visible evidence further up.

Bexgrossman

Ok I think I’m getting a bit more understanding!

https://imgur.com/a/elv42PL
Does that help?

Doozergirl

Not really. It's too tight to photograph, evidently .

I think you should get someone who really understands old building to come and have a look over it. I've given you a lot of pointers, as have others, but get the bones of the building right. Before you do anything else.

Bexgrossman

Thanks!

Where would I get such an expert? It’s just I thought I was doing the right thing with the surveyor lol. The website Heritage House has a consult Pete who can offer one hour consults but I really would like to someone to come out. I’ve tried a few google searches but it appears I’m back to the snake oil charmers.

Doozergirl

Bexgrossman wrote: »

Thanks!

Where would I get such an expert? It’s just I thought I was doing the right thing with the surveyor lol. The website Heritage House has a consult Pete who can offer one hour consults but I really would like to someone to come out. I’ve tried a few google searches but it appears I’m back to the snake oil charmers.

Heritage Consulting will come out. Not cheap, but the work itself should be cheaper and the result far better in the long run. Someone's already wasted money on your house, don't fall into the trap of repeating the same process.

I clicked through to his Twitter link and it's recommended me several other people that seem to deal in a similar arena as well. Different locations.

Bexgrossman

^ok thanks. Just at work so having to take quick looks whilst the boss isn’t looking.

Bexgrossman

There are air bricks at the front of the house.

I will see if I can find air bricks at the back of the house next door!