Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Can anyone recommend a local damp specialist? We are getting damp in our kitchen and think is caused by our side return patio being laid down too high - is probably rain water coming in to through the air blocks. Any suggestions be great!

Tags for Forum Posts: damp-proofing

Views: 557

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Try Andy from http://www.refreshpsc.co.uk/ .

He's honest - he correctly diagnosed there was no rising damp (there was a leak instead), while a 'which recommended trader'/'bbc expert' damp company told us it was going to be 10k+ in damp proofing.  

Do have a look on the site for other discussions about this (there have been a few). In a nutshell, be wary of a free survey - better to pay for one up front. We had a firm called Abbotts to do one as we were worried about damp in three different area and they were very good (and we didn't end up needing any specialist treatment).

It was Abbotts I was referring to. Misdiagnosis in our case. In their defence, it wasn't their main guy but a newer young chap that did the survey.

Thats really helpful, as i have a massive damp problem in my bedroom, and am also getting really stressed about it, as cant see how insurance will cover it and it is just so much money which i dont have

Try to get Andy as mentioned earlier in for an assessment or try to find sources of moisture yourself.

Leaks, blocked gutters or drains, bad pointing, bad grouting, bad seals, bad silicone bead around showers, roof, etc. You'd be surprised at where it comes from - I've suffered from most of those. No rising damp though, I've read it's far rarer than people  think.

Thanks markb, i also read online that rising damp is not that common, certainly there is a leak from a above, damaging my wall, but they are also trying to claim there is rising damp, although I dont have any evidence of it on any other wall in my 5 roomed house so I think too much of a conicidence 

You're probably right.  It's certainly worth tackling the leak first, let it dry for a few months and see if you still have 'rising damp'. With winter coming up running the central heating will help dry it out..

You can monitor the progress with a cheapo humidity meter (amazon sells them for about £15, like this or similar http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003CSNV2Q/). Don't pay too much attention to the reading you get in absolute terms, these cheap  devices are not very accurate. They are useful for monitoring progress. So if you get a 10% -> 9% -> 8% progress reading over a month, you know it's drying out.  

thanks mark- ordered my water meter, some really good advice

 and i am going to get the people above you recomended to come and look at my flat, thanks so much

karen

I used Andy as well- very pleased, totally honest, told me it wasnt a damp problem, but due to a leak, wrote to me confirming this, and didnt charge me a penny

http://www.refreshpsc.co.uk/

RSS

Advertising

© 2024   Created by Hugh.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service