Damp expert

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Permalink Reply by Mrs Crowley on March 3, 2014 at 13:57

I have the same problem Lucy, I will reach out for answers too - lets swap info as and when we get any!!

regards

 

S.x

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Permalink Reply by adamvietnam on March 3, 2014 at 14:20

Me too please...

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Permalink Reply by Philip on March 3, 2014 at 14:47

hi GuysI 

hope I can give some tips but no recommendations sorry. There are a lot of dodgy companies who will charge for inspections etc and they trade under a variety of names, but are often just linked to a central office. I used to survey for home improvements and remodelling and learned that many damp problems can be solved with a little insight. Builders often don't actually know what to look for even though they can do the repair work. Damp is usually caused by water ingress through walls or from damaged damp course just above ground level. Once plaster/render has been soaked over a period it will never dry out and attracts moisture so even if there is no water source any more the render needs to be removed and the area rerendered. The recent monsoon weather has caused problems and you should look for leaky gutters (get out there and look while its raining. Often blocked gutters overflow at a point which is not obvious during light rain and will often spill water on the same patch of brickwork which may not show the damp on the outside. Windows. cracked and damage cement and stone cills will allow water to leak below windows. Degraded exterior decorating may also allow ingress at gap between window and sill. Dripping toilet overflow pipes onto exterior walls may also imperceptibly lead to damp problems as again you will not spot it until you actually look. Dampness within 450mm of ground level can sometimes indicate a break in the actual damp course which can sometimes be dealt with but almost always requires some rendering. A damp meter tool can be bought quite cheaply from say Screwfix or for a few pounds more from B and Q or Homebase. Most often the problem is solved by finding the source, stopping it, removing the internal render, allowing it to dry, and then rerendering. Hope this is some help.

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Permalink Reply by Mrs Crowley on March 3, 2014 at 15:02

Thanks Philip - we really appreciate you taking the time to write back x

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Permalink Reply by tulips on March 3, 2014 at 15:25

I've heard that if you have a damp problem, it's best to get an independent damp surveyor to identify the problem and recommend what needs to be done. You'd need to pay £200ish for a report, but that way you won't get ripped off by a damp contractor recommending expensive work which isn't necessary.

Try www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk and www.independentspecialistsurveys.co.uk. I've seen Keith Gardner from the latter recommended on this site. I made a note of the details in case I ever had a damp problem which luckily hasn't happened yet!

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Permalink Reply by Lucy W on March 3, 2014 at 15:31

thanks really useful. I will look at independent surveyors. 

The info about damp is really useful. It is on second floor back room. there is no guttering but looks like some of the brickwork or  gap between brickwork and roof needs looking at. 

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Permalink Reply by sue fraser on March 7, 2014 at 11:23

I have a damp problem too and am looking for some one to sort it. If any one can find a good co please pass it on, I'll do the same!  

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Permalink Reply by sue fraser on March 7, 2014 at 11:28

Hi....I have a damp problem too. Would like to find an honest and reliable builder who can sort this for me.

Any suggestions....?    Sue

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