Thetownend.com

Sigh, not 100% sure its damp, but it sure looks like it. So any recommendations of a local company that can be trusted greatly appreciated.

bye, bye rainy day savings.

Advice would be don't at this stage get a damp specialist as ultimately they will be trying to sell their services to rectify it, in the first instance just get a building surveyor to take a look.

Also don't trust anyone who makes a judgement based on a 'damp meter' they are not made to work on plaster and thus are not at all accurate.

Alan Clark - 07860 760357
Ex hungerford manager, great guy.

Thanks.

Just get a normal specialist and ask them to stand in the rain for a few minutes....








..... taxi!

(https://s24.postimg.org/ec47uvewl/16195885_10212145091685133_5276127637676287096_n.jpg)

Apparently shes an expert in dampness ;)

What type of property is it? Are you 100% sure it's not condensation?

Rising damp is a myth.

no not sure, and it's a detached house

next for levelled their drive a while ago, probably unrelated unless it's gone above damp course

If something now has the potential to have bridged the DPC assuming its towards the base of the wall thats probably your first port of call. likewise are their any RWG or gullies in the area where it has emerged?

in not sure what an rgw is?!

Rainwater Goods i.e. is there a leaking gutter, downspout etc.

Start by ruling out condensation. In my old house we had to have the front bedroom window open pretty much all the time, even in winter. If it's an old house, it is almost certainly caused by condensation. Damp proofing would actually make the problem worse if so.

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/damp-condensation

This 100% condensation is worse with solid walls and usually mainly don to poor air circulation/ventilation - is it manifesting itself behind furniture or long curtains, in our old place we had long curtains in the bedroom and it was a bitch for getting mildew behind them.

thanks guys

If the wall nearest outside feels cold to the touch you can improve the situation immeasurably by simply not putting anything next to it and allowing the air to circulate.

If your windows aren't vented it might be an idea to retro fit some trickle vents first. If you're handy with DIY it'll cost less than a tenner.

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/trickle-vents.htm

Where's the damp showing - internal wall or external wall? What height and what is around it? Also what does it look like? Is there mould too? A photo would be good....

Interior, within 0.5-1m, plaster is flaking. will have access to exterior tomorrow. Will get pics in light..

thanks again

Problem with fitting trickle vents is you have to be certain where the glazing ends otherwise it will be a new window. It costs about £40 to get done professionally.

Jayo's advice is good in my opinion.
Loads of information on this online. As advised work out what is causing it before calling anyone in.
Condensation is usually worst at the top or bottom corners (the coldest part of walls)

I'd also wonder if you've had cavity wall insulation fitted. This can lead to damp problems too. Again, info is available on this and put me off getting it myself.

Again, depends on the house. My old house on Tennyson Street didn't have a cavity. Tell tale sign of that is when you see the brickwork and some bricks are half sized where they are turned in.

I'd get cavity wall insulation if you don't have it, that will reduce condensation and energy bills.

OK little update.

The Mrs ended up ignoring advice and phoning "Damp Shop Direct Limited". Their reviews on checka**de looked too good to be true to me, very sceptical.

But..

The guy (Paul) came, looked at the wall - no obvious cause and its clearly  been drying out for ages, suspects it was either caused by gutter leak (or roof leak that happened a while ago).

The mould in the dining room (not mentioned here) is almost certainly caused by the decking/joist being too close to the house and water not draining properly

There was an issue in the downstairs bathroom - on wall of (drying) damp. Straight leak.

Charge for service: £0. Not anything for him to do (plumber/plasterer required) so didn't sell us any of his services.

Can't recommend this guy enough.

Its a big relief.
===============
Thanks again for the advice, sorry it wasn't followed. Got lucky with who we called in I think :)

Can work for some but I went against this idea for a few reasons - Cavities are there for a reason - will put my heating on when it's cold anyway - I've read some horror stories about what it can do.

This article is well worth reading
http://www.askjeff.co.uk/cavity-wall-fill/

Been on a few courses run by Jeff, really nice fella.

He explained rising damp is a myth, and there is a whole industry based on damp falsehoods. It is pretty much always lack of ventilation or penetrating water through leaking guttering etc.

Good knowlede, cheers arriba