damp proofing

[maclarencat]

We have recently moved into a property and now find we have some damp (Our own fault we didnt have a survey as we were paying cash )It seemed dry when we came to look around which was january and the house had been empty 3 years so we thought it was OK. Also the man who we bought from had borrowed money on the house 12months before so we thought he would have had to have a survey so it must be OK. I know I know we are stupid but we cant change that now, Well at weekend we discovered that the cupboard under the stairs was damp. My husband keeps his shoes there and they had gone mouldy. We had soomeone out to check it and he has told us that we have damp all the way around the house though there is no evidence of it anywhere else . We are pensioners and it is starting to sound as though this could be very expensive. Can anyone tell me what will happen if we dont treat the damp in the walls. It,s not coming through the floor but through the walls, house is rendered but the render isnt blown. We can solve the problem under the stairs as that is lack of ventilation and our neighbour has built an outbuilding which has an asbestos roof and is onltyabout 3 inches away from our wall so when it rains it runs down the outside wall of the cupboard and doesnt get chance to dry. So we are going to put flashing across to stop this. But do you think as there is no sign of the damp anywhere .else it just showed on his meter ,we could just leave it. If not does anyone have any idea how much it should cost to put it right? HELP

[tombrandy]

Go to your local B&Q or someother DIY store & get a tub of Uni Bond and follow the instructions, all the best

[rabbitygirl]

You probably have got a situation, as you say, where lack of airflow in the cupboard is making stored items damp.

Some damp companies are quite happy to come to your house and go around stabbing at the walls with a meter. We went with a company whose proprietor preferred to investigate without one. A damp meter can give a reading indicating damp from virtually anything.

Sort the airflow to the cupboard, and if you have no obvious signs elsewhere of damp then I wouldn't do anything else.

[maclarencat]

Do you mean to paint on the inside or outside wall?

[tombrandy]

sorry for the delay,inside walls,it will work fine.tom

[maclarencat]

Thanks Tom. I will try that. My husband has decided that we cant afford to have it done so if we cant fix it we will have to sell again and move. I really hope not I love it here

[MangoPete]

you can try a dehumidifier good ones cost about �200 for an ebac 2600. I have 5 sons and live in Wlaes where it rains constantly. We have to dry the clothes and remove 3 litres of water every co0uplr of days with it. If my bedroom gets muggy I can putit in there for a few hours to dry it out.
one draw back is they are heavy becausethey have a condenser in them. if you are just a couple you could try a smaller one
if you can afford it try the holland dampproof company. they put special bricks in the wall every metre or so and you don't need to have replastering done.
they have won many international awards
good luck
Peter

[maclarencat]

Thanks Pete I too live in Wales and know what you mean about the rain. My daughter also suggested a dehumidifier and so I think thats what we will try. Your suggestion about the bricks may be a good idea too as we do not have any airbricks around the house.

[The Builder]

I don't think I'll go into all the technicalities of damp proof remedial work..........I guess you would not want to spend that kind of money.
It's interesting that the house was empty for three years. That would undoubtedly result in an enormous build up of damp in the whole fabric of the building. It's too soon by far for this damp to find its way out of the structure. Plus............look at the weather we've had since last summer!!!!!
Don't panic.................use your heating normally to encourage steady drying out. Don't skimp on this, and try and keep the house at a reasonably comfortable level of heating.
Give it a few months. You might find a different picture next "summer"

[maclarencat]

Thanks builder I think I paniced and now I have calmed down I think I will take your advice although I have been in touch with Holland damp proofing and they are coming to do a survey at the begiining of October. I am hoping that it will rectify itself. It does seem strange there are no visible signs of damp after 3 years empty.

[HollandDampProof]

Hi,

Holland Damp Proofing UK Ltd has been established since 1999 and we have successfully installed our unique product in many thousands of UK properties over the past 13 years. If you would like further information or have any questions about how our system can help solve your damp problem, then please call our friendly Customer Services team on Freephone 0808 155 2571.

Regards,
Holland Damp Proofing