Damp course failure

Ratita_Presumida

I have a damp and mould problem In my flat I rent,

 The floor under the kitchen tiles  are so damp underneath that the cement shines. I have mouldy walls and a water mark under some of the lining paper I took off that was damaged
This is a council flat so I had no choice but to take. I feel I’m just offered quick fix as I have been told the patches where I removed paper showing mould will be sealed and painted. Where does the damp go if it’s sealed. There are 5 small sections so not really solving a problem

I need some advice on the measurement I took on the damp course.

The damp course is 45mm Above the  ground level

I was told by social housing it’s a condensation problem. I also have mould growing above to Windows and crumbling plaster. 
Would the height of damp course  be to blame. Rain water is splashing above the damp course and has no where to go other than sit on the surface making the brickwork green
I need to know where I stand regarding my rights as my arthritis is majorly effected by the state of my flat

Ectophile

The gap between the block paving and the damp course there is rather small.  That probably happened when the block paving was laid.  It's very easy to lay more paving on top of the ground level, rather than digging down first.

But you seem to have damp on an internal wall as well, so that may not be the only problem.

FreeBear

Ratita_Presumida said:  Where does the damp go if it’s sealed.

The damp will simply find another way round and appear further up the wall. And as long as the lower parts of the wall remain damp behind any sealing, it will suck out the heat - This means the wall will remain cold and attract condensation, so doesn't really fix the problem. I'd also guess that the skirting boards are starting to rot (the section in pic #2 looks a bit iffy).

Hard paving should be at least 150mm below the DPC, and where this isn't feasible, a french drain should be installed (a narrow trench filled with gravel). Even with a french drain, the gravel should be at least 75mm below the DPC. But getting a social landlord to do undertake any sensible fix is going to be difficult - They will go for the low cost option every time.

Putting your name down for a house swap or move may be your best long term solution.

Ratita_Presumida

FreeBear said:

Ratita_Presumida said:  Where does the damp go if it’s sealed.

The damp will simply find another way round and appear further up the wall. And as long as the lower parts of the wall remain damp behind any sealing, it will suck out the heat - This means the wall will remain cold and attract condensation, so doesn't really fix the problem. I'd also guess that the skirting boards are starting to rot (the section in pic #2 looks a bit iffy).

Hard paving should be at least 150mm below the DPC, and where this isn't feasible, a french drain should be installed (a narrow trench filled with gravel). Even with a french drain, the gravel should be at least 75mm below the DPC. But getting a social landlord to do undertake any sensible fix is going to be difficult - They will go for the low cost option every time.

Putting your name down for a house swap or move may be your best long term solution.

Thank you for your advice, I really want a house swop as I suffer with arthritis and since moving in I’ve had the worst bout ever requiring a steroid injections, my living conditions have made an impact on my health. 

I have demanded a damp test but informed it will probably be after Christmas. In the mean time they want to seal and emulsion over the mould growth and damp patches where I’ve removed small sections of lining paper, above two windows. The plaster is cracked and in bad repair above two windows, I can see outside that both need repointing. 

I asked where will the damp go once sealed and repainted, I was told “the dampness will stop”
Where I removed the damaged lining paper in 4 small places it will be be re-lined and papered? The kitchen lining paper I’m going to remove completely as the lining paper is 5 layers thick. 

I’m not a builder but this is just like putting a plaster over a bleeding wound in what they want to do in my flat. The 4 kitchen floor tiles I removed that are wet underneath underneath are going to be relaid until next year.
I have told my housing officer I want a damp test before any work is carried out, oh and she said due to my health they wanted to carry out these temporary repairs, I’ve never heard such rubbish. My arthritis will not get better with a dab of sealant. “It’s laughable”
The place has no adequate ventilation hence the heavy condensation on the windows every morning and apparently if I open my windows and never dry my washing indoors the damp walls and mould growth will improve. 

So this winter whilst everyone is all cosy and warm, think of me sitting in force gale winds gusting through my house whilst I’m busy watching the weather forecast preying that the rain will stop in the hope I can hang my washing out 😂😂😂😂😂

Mickey666

Black mould on walls, especially in corners or behind furniture/appliances where there is poor ventilation, is indicative of condensation because it generally requires a source of fresh water.  Damp penetrating through walls and plaster carries salts with it that common black mould does not tolerate.  That’s not to say the DPC is not a problem (as already noted it is really too close to ground level, so splashing will be a problem) but it could well mean there are two different problems to deal with.