Trying to identify cause of damp wall in Victorian terrace with no wall cavity
Anonymous user 14/03/2024 - 2.34 PM
Hi,
I live in a Victorian Terrace with no wall cavity. One corner of downstairs ( party wall and SE facing external wall ) is wet. The wallpaper is very wet and the plaster underneath is a little too although it is still solid.
I bought the house in January, the problem was evident when I moved in but seemed to dry out.
I can't be sure but I didn't notice the problem being there through summer.
The wet patch goes up from the skirting about 2 metres, about 1.5 metres on the party wall.
Upstairs seems ok.
I haven't noticed and condensation on the window (single glazed)which is right next to the problem area.
I have been told that as the plaster is still solid it is possibly condensation. My plan was to paper the wall with thermal paper and buy a dehumidifier.
Someone else suggested that it is rising damp. Suggested using a water proof membrane behind the plaster board with dot and dab creating a slight cavity for air circulation.
As for water ingress, there is a lean to covering that external wall and stays dry when raining.
I'm not sure if there is an injected dpc or not. There aren't holes drilled along the length of the wall which would suggest so.
I would really like to move forward with decorating but this is holding me back.
I have pictures but not sure if there is an option to upload them??
No obvious problems with guttering, floor boards dry.
Any help would be greatly appreciated in solving my problem
Thank you
(Stressed non DIY-er)
Thank you JM Damp.... my feeling was that it was condensation. It's good to hear it from someone else, I feel more confident in tackling it now : ) I couldn't find any other way of repyling??...thanks again!
I live in Northampton
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Have you had any works done on The property since built?
Damp problems can be common in older buildings because people fail to use the correct materials.
If your home is built with lime mortar or render I strongly suggest that any alterations or plaster works be done with lime products.
Cement and gypsum based product can (and often do over time) cause mould, damp and/or delamination when when applied to lime.
This is because lime is a very good breathable and Insulating product which allows moisture to pass through the wall. cement and gypsum greatly reduce this quality if not completly.
Lime is rarely considered in damp proofing but it should be one of the first things to consider with an older building.
sounds like condensation ,condensation is wet to the touch rising damp is not,any prob feel free to get in touch.where do u live
Answered11 February 2015
6
Anonymous user
would not imagine this to be condensation as it would also be damp on the top of wall /ceiling
Victorian houses an damp good grief !
Answered2 October 2015
0
Anonymous user
Seems have condensation need air brick vent fitted cause may be outside have previous owners had a drive or patio layed reason asking
Ground outside might be higher then damp course causing water penetrate threw might find air bricks been buried aswell there is alternative this is the case have French drain fitted acko channel as soak away or raise air bricks create plinth around external part building as extra barrier protection for damp course prevent any more situations
hi first thing i would do is cut out for a air brick . hack off plaster round the bay and syntherproof the walls and replaster . i personally have never known damp to rise higher than 1.5 mtr make sure your ground level is lower than 150 mm . if not you will probably have to put in a new and higher dpc hope this helped
before trying different methods I would suggest you had an inspection by a qualified non-sales-based damp surveyor as fixing any dampness is easy once you know what is causing it, if its condensation you will see some mould behind the wallpaper and over winter physical water wet to the touch. rising damp would be a stain but never surface water, also if you check outside is there a downpipe that's leaking or a gutter dripping down splashing onto the wall.
Answered25 July 2022
0
Anonymous user
I love quizzes!! If your property appears to be dpc injected the company that done it has insurance that could cover your work.try and find and talk to them first .my guess is the last homeowner did the chemical dpc themself but didnt do a chemical render 1m high internally
