Damp

[Greedyfly]

Hi

Can you have cobdevsation damp in internal walls without any conddvsation on the windows etc?

I’m try to indebtify where the damp is coming from and it’s proving difficult.

Thanks

GF

[bhg481]

Yes, if you have double-glazed windows and no cavity insulation you can get condensation forming on the inside of the outside walls of the house. We suffered from that about 40 years ago when we lived in a rented house and put temporary double-glazing on some windows.

[AuntLydia]

Yes especially if your walls are not cavity insulated, or the cavity has been damaged.

If the dampness is in the upstairs rooms high up in the corner or edge of a room it could either be condensation damp, or damp coming from a damaged gutter. Downstairs rooms could be either condensation (high up) or damaged or inadequate cavity wall insulation (lower down often at skirting board height)

[Greedyfly]

I forgot to mention that the damp is also on the internal walls which are anointed to neighbours - they have no damp issues.

[Greedyfly]

Auto correction - adjoined not anointed

[AuntLydia]

Is the 'damp' wet? Does it have black specks or is it making the paint flake off? If its on Internal walls its more likely to be condensation.

[Greedyfly]

Hi

It’s wet damp, worse when it rains.

It’s on the inside of the external walls - mid wall on one and rising from the ground with effervescence on the other.

Internal walls between neighbours it is mid wall - in odd patches where there is no furniture and also worsens with weather. Neighbours report no issues.

Fireplace is open and windows are used (weather dependant) when we can.

Dehumidifier sucks up a lot of moisture but makes no difference to wet patches.

Thanks

[Greedyfly]

Sorry forgot to add that the damp is GF only

[AuntLydia]

Sounds like condensation. This is a bit of a heavy read but may help

http://www.superhomes.org.uk/resources/interstitial-condensation-3/

I would suggest getting a builder out to take a look, there are not many DIY alternatives.

[Greedyfly]

Cheers AuntLydia

[The Builder]

I agree that it does need someone to look at it. It does sound like condensation on the interior walls, but the midway patches on the external walls may well be rising damp. It's the efflorescence that concerns me. Having said that, since you obviously have a problem with condensation, the external walls could well have the same problem.
It's impossible to tell from here. There are so many things to consider....

eg
Age of building
Type of construction
North-facing?
Levels of heating and ventilation.

When someone does look at it, don't let them automatically assume rising damp. That is actually much less common than condensation.

[KARL]

As you say adjoining accommodation does not have your problem and assuming the two are essentially the same construction and generally similar (neither has been greatly modified) then the difference is almost certainly down to different lifestyles. Builder has pointed to the likely headlines.

We had tenants in a property which suddenly was damp after three decades in our ownership without problems. The reason came down to heavy loading of internal atmosphere with water from a) drying washing indoors, b) a lot of boiling of assorted things (vegetarian diet, magic health drinks etc.), c) lack of ventilation, etc.

Heat well and continuously along with ventilating regularly and the problem should reduce or go away - do not dry things on radiators, cook without ventilating the kitchen, do not shower or bathe without ventilating adequately during/afterwards.

[TonyV]

would worry about your baby initially then sort damp out ASAP