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Damp Proofing

New conservatory - Damp coming up through concrete screed

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.09 PM

I had a new conservatory built a couple of months ago - dwarf walls on three sides and a full height wall on one side. A couple of days after the screed floor was laid, it rained heavily (remember the storms in late July??) and then damp patches began to appear on the floor. This now happens every time there is significant rain - sometimes the next day and sometimes maybe 2 days later... We mentioned to the builder beforehand that the back garden (where the conservatory is now) used to get very wet in the winter - often some standing water. The builder has suggested now that he may have dug deep enough to hit the water table, or that there may even be an underground spring! I'm not sure if either of these are the case though. However, he has said that the way to approach this problem is to remove the floor, tank the conservatory and then relay the floor. So - does this sound like the right approach, please? Also, my father-in-law has suggested we consult the building inspectors, but I'm not sure what it is they could do?? Many thanks in advance!!

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3 Answers

Anonymous user

Hi This sounds as if your Builder failed to lay an adequate Damp proof membrane which is a must, together with a least a 50mm sika screed waterproof floor. hope this is of some benefit to you . kind regards David Woodward ABS preopertycare
Answered19 February 2015
2

DPF Plastering & Dampproofing

Rating: 5 out of 5
Borehamwood
This is either a failed dpm or none used or a damaged one ,If a dpm is used properly its not possible for damp to come through . Damp proof membrane .
Answered5 October 2019
1

Damp-therm Solutions

Rating: 5 out of 5
Orpington
A floor will need to provide for one or more of the following: Structural support of the room’s contents and users and the weight of the floor itself; and If the floor is a ground floor, provide resistance to: Ground moisture; and Heat loss (thermal insulation). So if your experiencing damp patches on the floor this would indicate the DPM has failed of may not even be present. Seing as its an area holding damp already My advise would be to dig up the floor and relay to the correct building regulation which is hard-core compacted to stop sinkage then a layer of soft sand compacted a DPM sheet laid on top of the sand. Then a insulation will be required at least 75mm thick pour concrete over the insulation then a screed or liquid DPM to level. Hope this helps
Answered3 January 2018
0