Damp in Upstairs walls

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Before we moved into this house we had a damp inspection and we were told we had a damp problem in the upper outside corner of a bedroom.They quoted us over £300 to fix it.We waited until we moved in and removed the wallpaper,the wall had loads of black mould around the upper corners of the two adjoining walls.We washed it down and aired the room daily.After a couple of weeks the wall was dry and still mould free.Almost 2 years later it still is.It turned out to be condensation.I asked the woman who lived here before and she said the room was never used so the window was never opened and the door kept shut.I open all the windows for half an hour daily on getting up and we don't seem to have any problems now with any of the rooms.

fatboyonadiet

They can be seen to, the damp course does need to be, I just wanted to be sure the other issue was the cavity wall ties or whether it was something else

fatboyonadiet

The report also mentions bad ventalition in the house so it is likely to be condensation, any ideas on how to improve ventalition?

Sue-UU

fatboyonadiet wrote: »

The report also mentions bad ventalition in the house so it is likely to be condensation, any ideas on how to improve ventalition?

The best way to get improve ventilation is, quite simply, to get as much fresh air inside as is possible. Advise them to keep windows open for as long as they can each day and on warmer days, try opening windows that are as opposite each other as possible. That way they'll get a 'pull-through of air' which is great for condensation. If you can do that upstairs AND downstairs then - marvellous! As soon as the bathroom's finished with...open the windows! In hot weather, leave the bathroom window open whilst showering/bathing; the blind/curtains can always be pulled down quite a bit, but that will help no end.

Keep windows open whilst cooking too, all those things help SO much where condensation's concerned. Another point to remember, unless it's foggy at night...sleep with at least one small window open all through the night. That way you won't get much, if any condensation and the problems will cease to exist.

ALWAYS REMEMBER to CLOSE DOWNSTAIRS WINDOWS when GOING OUT any large ones upstairs too!!!

Sue.

fatboyonadiet

Is there any building work that can be done? Like putting some sort of vent or something in???

Sue-UU

Hi again,

You can get electric extractor fans which take the moist air outside and, as they're your worst places for condensation, then you can get one put in the kitchen and another one for the bathroom. Obviously they go on the outside wall near(ish) to the windows.

Alternatively you can buy Dehumidifiers which take the moisture out of the air, they're also good for getting rid of dust mite if you find they're a problem; dust mite thrive in damp, warm conditions and houses with condensation problems provide them with ideal accommodation!

Have a look on this link http://www.wickes.co.uk/icat/ventilation?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=PPC-Products-Electrical&gclid=CJqio9KgvZECFQFZQgodAX4ZCw
and you'll see the picture of a fan, click on the "more info" part and it'll give you and your friends the information you need. If it's the extractor fans that interest them most then suggest they go to a Builders Merchants such as Bradfords and ask about the costs of having one (or two) fitted; they'll be able to give you all the help you need.

Good luck, Sue.

Lemon_Tree

hi
i have a damp problem in the bottom corner of my bedroom, i have painted the wall with anti damp paint, and have a dehumidfier but don't know where to go next. the flat upstairs has damp so i know it's not rising damp there's no way it would got that high and miss the top half of my bedroom. i was wondering if i'm right when i tell my upstairs neighbour that it's because she needs to replace her rotten barge boards and soffits (if that's what you call them). I suspect water is running down inside the cavity and has no where to go once it hits the damp course outside my bedroom.
I also have metal double glazing which is damp all through winter, i do keep the window open when i'm indoors but i work full time so it's restrictive. Does anyone know if you can fit window vents into the old metal frames? i think if we could then we could leave them open to help with air flow.
thanks for your help

Sue-UU

Hi Lemon Tree,

This sounds like one for a builder and if we're not lucky enough to have one on the Forum (bet we do though!) then perhaps you need to call one in for a free estimate and try to pick up any bits of info he may give during it.

If the flat is rented, why not have a word with your Landlord about it all, it would be for his good as much as yours!

I hope you get some advice - soon! Good luck.

Sue.

shebanjoed

Following up on advice for condensation I've just had the local council out looking at disgusting mould on my bedroom/bathroom/kitchen walls. According to him the best treatment is fitting trickle vents on all windows and leaving them open constantly. My living room has them and there is no condensation there.

I will need to strip the walls, use a washing up brush and domestos to treat the walls first, dry them out, then use an ('scuse the spelling I haven't looked this up yet) alcalite based paint over it. He said I could move my radiator to under the bedroom window and fit a paster vent where the radiator used to be. Easy as all that eh????

The other option in the bedroom would be to replaster the entire wall at a cost of £1500.

Apparently this guy used to be surveyor. He guaged the level of condensation with a beeping thing and it went sky high in the bedroom. The rest of the walls are not as bad and easily treatable with a clean up of domestos and trickle vents on the windows.

We'll see, I'll be getting the vents done in the next couple of weeks.

greyteam1959

Put one of these in it will solve all your problems.........

I have had one of these in our house for over 15 years now.
Installed over the stairs absolutely great stopped all the problems you have.
Cost approx £500 can fit it yourself if you can do a bit of DIY
http://www.nuaire.co.uk/Product/Resi...Drimaster_2000