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Damp Proofing

Putting in a damp-proof membrane without knowing the cause of the damp?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.00 PM

My 1st floor flat is circa 1911 and the bay window in my lounge has damp underneath both ends of the window. the surveyor (who said the damp was 'off the charts') thought it was probably the lead flashing on the bay roof areas either side causing this but couldn't say for sure (and he only mentioned the damp as an aside as he was just doing a lease valuation and not a full survey). A builder has checked the lead flashing and can't find a leak but said he could put a damp-proof membrane under the window to keep out the damp. This sounds fine but if I don't know where the water it getting in, surely water will eventually go somewhere else and i'll have a problem elsewhere? Not knowing is making me uneasy. Any ideas?

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2 Answers

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

Without looking at the problem, it's impossible to say exactly what may be causing the water ingress. Could be the sealant round the windows, could be a poorly fitted cill, could be felt on the main roof getting in through the walls, could be a dripping gutter, could be condensation to many different possibility. Without stopping the water ingress you may only move the problem elsewhere. Suggest you post the job on the site and get a local expert round to assess the issue/ possible solutions. Good luck Alex

Answered4 December 2013

Trident Damp

Rating: 5 out of 5

Sidcup

Hi there I am afraid without looking cannot say what solution is best, the damp proof membrane would be put in place to stop the water coming in, but if this is not the area of penetration then you do need more on-site investigations. Regards Joseph

Answered4 December 2013