Damp? Or condensation

katymayo

I've messaged on here before about mould in another room. Just peeled the wallpaper off in this room and found what looks like to me a water mark. Don't think I can delude myself anymore I have damp. What are the steps to fix it? I live in a 1930s semi and the damp is coming from the adjoining wall with next door, this picture is of my alcove, so an internal wall. How could this be fixed?

Any advice appreciated 

Snow_Angel

It may sound obvious, but you need to find out what's causing it before you can fix it. Can you speak to your neighbour and find out what's on their side of that wall and if they have problems? Getting an independent damp survey can be worth it (independent meaning NOT one of the companies that provide damp treatment themselves, but an independent damp surveyor who doesn't do the work themselves but just assesses and diagnoses likely causes/solutions). I think it depends what part of the country you're in, but the damp survey I had on my house a few months ago cost £275. Now I just have to find a decent builder to fix the problem!

FreeBear

That tide line - Is it about 1m high ?

If so, I suspect that there has been some damp "cure" applied in the past which has now failed (entirely predictable).

katymayo

My neighbour is a builder and he has completely renovated his house & had the whole of his downstairs dug out and laid concrete because all of the joists were rotten. There is absolutely no way I can afford to have that done.

The area I live in has a high water table (local priest told me as this area can't have a grave yard!) Also all the gardens flood in the winter. I have a well and a pump into the drains that empty the garden.

katymayo

Damp cure? 

Yes it is about 1m

Mr.Generous

Damp for sure. Plaster off, drill holes and inject treatment. Replaster with cement, plastering sand a waterproofer additive. New skirting probably, maybe some flooring. Decorate.

FreeBear

Mr.Generous said: Damp for sure. Plaster off, drill holes and inject treatment. Replaster with cement, plastering sand a waterproofer additive. New skirting probably, maybe some flooring. Decorate.

You keep suggesting this... It simply hides the problem for a few years, and then it pokes its head up again.

If you must replaster, strip the walls back to bare brick and use a lime render/plaster - It will cope with any slight damp issues far better than a modern gypsum plaster. Of course, it will help to fix the source of the damp rather than sticking Band Aids over the problem.

katymayo

Thanks for your replies, I've got a company coming out to do a survey so hopefully they can find the source of it, I can't afford to do this twice so gotta find the root of the problem. Very concerned it's going to involve taking floors up as I have wooden flooring on top of mine 😬

daveyjp

If that's a chimney alcove is the chimney still open allowing air to circulate?

If not damp will always be an issue.

flashg67

Mr.Generous said:

Damp for sure. Plaster off, drill holes and inject treatment. Replaster with cement, plastering sand a waterproofer additive. New skirting probably, maybe some flooring. Decorate.

I agree, this just hides the problem and traps moisture in the bricks - might be a quick fix if you're moving out, but personally, I'd avoid any company that suggested this remedy. I've seen the damage cement plaster & render did to the stone on a victorian terrace I had.

Doozergirl

flashg67 said:

Mr.Generous said:

Damp for sure. Plaster off, drill holes and inject treatment. Replaster with cement, plastering sand a waterproofer additive. New skirting probably, maybe some flooring. Decorate.

I agree, this just hides the problem and traps moisture in the bricks - might be a quick fix if you're moving out, but personally, I'd avoid any company that suggested this remedy. I've seen the damage cement plaster & render did to the stone on a victorian terrace I had.

I think the problem is actually exacerbated for the OP by what the next door neighbour has done, which will be exactly what Mr Generous is saying is a good idea.  

The source hasn't been addressed and fixed, the moisture is trapped from breathing through on the neighbour's side so is leaching more through the OP's side.