Damp -upstairs room of 1870 house.

Nevbear

1870 house. All rendered. 

I have spent approximately £10,000 over the last 10 years trying to get rid of damp in one outside wall of bedroom. Nearby chimney has been re rendered and had new pots on. Roof has been looked at extensively and gutters and soffits/barge boards are dry. Area where chimney meets roof has been done 3 times and according to my roofer, all the leading is in place correctly around this. 

Despite this, the shoes in my wardrobe get white mildew on them. Also there are now several discrete patches of damp visible on painted lining paper both within the wardrobe and just below the coving.

I’m wary of damp proof companies because I have previously read that they offer remedies that are not compatible with old build house and would appreciate advice on how to proceed. 

I’m in Birmingham and would ideally like one company to diagnose and remedy. 

I presume I need a chartered surveyor? Are there any other certifications that I should look out for or be wary of? 

In fact, I’d be grateful for any advice at this point! 

Thank you 

horsewithnoname

https://www.unitedkingdominbusiness.co.uk/Company/644296/Damp-proofing-Bandamp-Preservation/Passey-Road-34-B139NU-Birmingham-01217783482

I used this company, it was a while ago, but very good and totally honest chap. I’ve no connection other than I used them a few times

Doozergirl

Do you have photos? 

Which direction does that outside wall face? 

Do you have any insulation on the wall?  

Is the wardrobe built in? 

Nevbear

Wall faces west
the wardrobes are fixed but as there had been problems previously, I didn’t have any backs put in them. Enclosed on top and at sides with sliding doors

Doozergirl

And can you take a photo from further away, please. 

I think that is condensation.  Cold bridging being caused by the dot and dabbing of the plasterboard. 

Clothes in wardrobes often suffer as there's no ventilation either.  

I'd say a lack of insulation and air movement is the likely problem.  

 

stuart45

Your shoes getting mildew is a sign of high humidity in the wardrobe, so condensation looks a likely cause of the damp spots.

Nevbear

this is a bit further out and also visible are patches under coving and just below the tv

due to the age of the house, these are not cavity walls

is it possible for condensation just to produce individual patches like these? 

Bandamp mentioned above has ceased trading unfortunately 

Doozergirl

Nevbear said:

this is a bit further out and also visible are patches under coving and just below the tv

due to the age of the house, these are not cavity walls

is it possible for condensation just to produce individual patches like these? 

Bandamp mentioned above has ceased trading unfortunately 

Condensation will look like that if your plasterboard has been attached like this. 

The adhesive is as cold as the wall so the condensation settles on those patches.  

Doozergirl

It's callled cold or thermal bridging. 

https://www.kingspan.com/gb/en/knowledge-articles/what-is-thermal-bridging/#:~:text=Thermal%20bridges%2C%20also%20known%20as,outer%20face%20of%20a%20construction.

Nevbear

Oh my lord - that looks feasible! There are areas where last decorator put something like aqua board or similar to stop water coming through and so it just comes out in certain areas 

Remedies for this please or any other thoughts? 

Doozergirl

Strip the wall, insulate, re-board.  Ideally with natural breathable materials - wool, lime plaster.   but you'd probably get away with modern materials as it's upstairs - insulated plasterboard, for example.