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Plastering & Rendering

crumbling walls and excessive damp. rising damp and high damp

Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.40 PM

Hello i rent my house privately and have been here for past 4 years. the problem is we seem to have damp wall in every room downstairs. the utility area the two external walls only are damp from top to bottom also got black mould which i keep having to clean off. dining room is rising damp as its at the bottom and come just under a meter up the wall and is crumbling. living room is again the external wall we recently decorated after airing it out for months as landlord had said it was condensation. but since we have decorated the paper has lines in it and its getting white mould on it at bottom so im assuming this is rising damp too. Everytime the landlord comes out he says its condensation and tells us to open windows but its never improves and now that the wall it crumbling does that mean its still wet as landlord keeps saying it has dried. he also put a vent in which tbh hasnt really helped. what could anyone suggest i do its seems like im fighting a losing battle as rent is paid upto date but he never seems to fix anything. thank you for answering my post I have contacted my local councils environmental health department.and imformed them of my problems and someone is contacting me back and the next step after that will be that a council officer will be visiting my home and then they will inform the landlord on work that needs doing. As I already have health issues that im not sure is down to the damp and mould. So all's good thanks again guys you have been very helpful :)

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8 Answers

mjplastering

Rating: 5 out of 5
Bromyard
Hi , From what you are describing it sounds like penetrative damp in some areas and rising in others as you say that ventilation hasnt sorted it. I would suggest you pay for a surveyor to inspect your damp issues and prove it is or isnt rising or penetrative damp for sure and ask him or her for a report . That way you can go to your landlord with an expert report that you can use to persuade him or her that it needs sorting. I have a feeling the landlord knows there`s a problem but doesnt want to spend the large amounts of money it will require to sort the damp issues you have. If it is proved there is an issue and the landlord ignores it then i would advise you to leave as soon as possible as mould and damp cause all sorts of health issues and can be very bad for you. Regards Mark
Answered21 June 2018
3

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5
Boston
There are a lot of different reasons for dampness in a property, just because its at the bottom does not mean its rising damp, Rising damp is misdiagnosed in over 75% of cases rising to 0ver 95% in older properties, without looking at the issue it is impossible to say exactly what is causing it. the council now have the power to either fix the issues if your landlord wont or stop your land lord being able to rent a defective property out, I would also visit your doctor and ask if the dampness can be causing your issues and if so could he please put it in writing Good luck Alex
Answered21 June 2018
2

Anonymous user

i would assume the property is pre 1930s and solid walled? if so your problems lie with cement and modern gypsum plaster trapping moisture which I believe is causing those problems. if you use lime mortar and plaster i am sure these issues will go. use permeable materials and make sure vents are working correctly. good luck
Answered26 January 2022
2

London Damp Specialists

Rating: 5 out of 5
South Kensington, London
This is usually caused by drying clothes inside the property or not having sufficient ventilation when cooking or showering, or leaking washing machine or the tumble dryer needs proper ventilation If that is not the issue then it could be a number of other things like rain water seeping in under the foundation from faulty exterior concreting 99 times out of a 100 its one of the issues above Its always best to get a specialist to check it out
Answered28 February 2019
1

Anonymous user

ADR are 90% correct. The other 10% is the rest of the rising damp misdiagnosed, taking it to 100%. There is always a reason(s) for moisture from drainage blockages, high ground levels, poor subfloor ventilation, bridged damp proof course, external defect categorised as "penetrating damp" which is again a simplistic phrase that can cover dozens of different defects and cannot be remedied by replastering. The conditions need to be examined, defects identified, and repairs carried out. Tenants do contribute to issues but you can discount your part by buying a cheap hygrometer from a garden centre for less that £10 which will show you the level of moisture you create in the house. Moisture level between 45 and 55% is ideal. And it also depends the method of construction of the house, age etc
Answered23 May 2019
1

Anonymous user

sounds like rising and/or penetrating damp Someone has clearly miss-diagnosed the issue You will need to get a qualified professional out And make sure you get a guarantee Without looking at it I could not tell you for sure what it is
Answered6 January 2020
0

DPR Specialists

Rating: 5 out of 5
North Shields
Very common condensation red flags here. There is usually a vent visable on the lower part of that wall. Ensure this has not been blocked. If not get a passive air vent installed, and certantly something i would recommend regardless of potential rising damp.
Answered27 October 2022
0

Anonymous user

If damp is throughout top to bottom of your walls this could be penetrating damp or too much moisture inside your home and not enough ventilation to keep it controlled.
Answered7 March 2024
0