Skip to main content

Ready to hire?

Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a job

Need some tips or advice?

Ask a question
Damp Proofing

How can I prevent rising up the damp in victorian House with cement floor?

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.26 PM

I have bought a victorian house and the previous owner in his wisdom has replaced the existing suspended wooden floor with a cement slab in the hall and room in the middle of the house. This would have been done perhaps 20 years ago. I had a damp survey and wall below the stairs had 100% moisture readings in some places! Lots of walls were generally damp around fire places and next to doors, a bay window and chimneys breasts - approx 18-40%. We well get the roof done which I hope will remediate the damp near chimneys. What is the best option to stop the damp coming up, particularly the wall under the stairs? Thank you.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

Log in

4 Answers

Damp Investigations

Rating: 5 out of 5
Southall
Inserting a solid floor where a suspended floor was originally may give one rising dampness but twenty years later ? I don’t think it’s the problem now. Damp around doors is often hygroscopic plaster and not technically damp. The chimneys have ammonium sulphate contamination , fixing the roof will not solve this ! The bay window area most likely has a condensation problem . Before you get in a contractor , find an independent surveyor with a good reputation, they could save you thousands .
Answered30 August 2019
4

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5
Boston
WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE ISSUES ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR ISSUES BELOW ARE A FEW THINGS TO CHECK FIRST. Check all the seals around the windows & doors, check the outside ground level is not to high and install a french drain if required Check the right mortar has been used if any pointing has been carried out. Good luck Alex
Answered31 August 2019
0

Remtech

Rating: 5 out of 5
Tavistock
Agreed, a new roof will not solve the problems and, with the thousands saved on a new roof you can get a specialist surveyor in and do all the outside details and, if needed, waterproof internally. Agree also, check all door frame and window frame seals. Check all guttering detail, pointing, hairline cracks, chimney cowels and slipped/ missing or broken slates. Check for veg along the wall/ path joint.
Answered6 September 2019
0

Danny The Plasterer

Rating: 5 out of 5
Blackpool
The only true way to check damp percentage is to use a calcium carbonate flask, those pronged meters are only really intended for measuring moisture content in timber. There are often other factors with damp issues, a good knowledgeable contractor will be able to guide you without throwing good money away
Answered9 September 2019
0