Damp Proofing

Penetrating damp walls in my 1920's bungalow, DPC done and working,

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.03 PM

We moved into our 1920's detached, solid brick with modern render bungalow October last year to a damp smell throughout the property and wallpaper falling off some walls. We had a DPC injected in January this year and already know that the DPC is starting to work - with a damp probe, we have found that just above the skirting boards is now a lot drier/almost dry, rather than 2-3 inches above it and higher which was the same/wet. We have started using a dehumidifier to speed up the process - as well as opening windows on dry days... We also have damp in patches on external walls, up to ceiling height - pointing to penetrating damp, this corresponds to hairline cracks in the modern render applied to old Norfolk red bricks with lime based mortar... :-( On top of this, we have condensation adding to the problems - we do not have very good ventilation - no extractor in the kitchen, no door on the kitchen and the window opens into an old lean-to conservatory... no extractor fan in the main bathroom and the window opens into the lean-to (which encompasses the bathroom and kitchen) :-( All windows and doors are UPVC. The only windows with trickle vents are in the master bedroom and en-suite which is in the extension built in 2010, but these rooms are very cold and the en-suit is a fully tiled wet-room - the walls and floor stay wet for a long time, even with the extractor fan in there working and the window open to some degree approx 10 hours a day, every day... :-/ We have radiators throughout, and use the wood burner occasionally. I DO NOT dry linen indoors. The question is - - - IS THE ONLY WAY TO COMBAT THE PENETRATING DAMP, TO REMOVE ALL RENDER, CHECK FOR CRACKS IN POINTING/BRICKS AND REPAIR, THEN RE-APPLY LIME BASED RENDER...?? OR IS THERE ANOTHER WAY...????????