Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Advice on damp issue
Thanks in advance.
Tags for Forum Posts: damp-proofing
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Charlotte A on
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I would look for an independent damp surveyor, NOT someone who also offers treatment. We got one when we moved into our house. It's a Victorian terrace so there are obviously damp patches. We used www.independentspecialistsurveys.co.uk
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Permalink Reply by Brian Ahearne on
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If it looks like rising damp, please, please, please just get your drains cleared first. The rising damp treatment people have made tons of money (& screwed up people's properties) when all that was really needed was for drains to be cleared. Only after looking at drains should you approach damp proof course people.
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Permalink Reply by Sophie Smith on
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Ah, my specialist subject! I've had all sorts of tradespeople round and (funnily enough) they all said the solution was the thing they themselves specialised in. I had various costly things done and the only thing that worked was getting the whole kitchen tanked with a damp proof render - and my sodding skirting boards still fall off and the paint peels in the coldest corner. I agree with the advice to get an independent damp expert. Most plausible explanation was that the London clay just means the water rises, but it didn't help that my garden patio was built too high and we needed to put a drain away in and gravel round the house.
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That problem is common - successive owners put in patios or decking and over time raise the level of the garden above the level of the damp proof course so water soaks into the walls.
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Hello. I have had someone come around and tell me that my damp problem is due to the patio being too high. Would you be able to recommend anyone to come in to give options around that? I've had one quote for an aco drain to be installed but want to see what other people say?
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Permalink Reply by Niall on
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You should be able to physically see where the damp course is - there will be air bricks in the row below to ventilate underneath. If you have anyone around, ask them to point out where the damp course is.
If your patio is too near the dampcourse, but not over it, an aco drain should drop the rainwater away.
If the patio has been laid above the dampcourse, that's a real problem. A 'builder' did this to my neighbour, 10 years later the kitchen floor had rotted away and collapsed - it cost a lot of money to fix.
Personally, I would resolve whether it really is the patio that's the problem as my first step.
If that's OK, the other advice here about drains and independent inspection makes sense.
Good luck! Its important to resolve, but not mega urgent, so be confident you have identified the problem before spending loads of money
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