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Damp Proofing

4 Damp proofing quotes and methods, not sure who is right

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 2.30 PM

Looking for some advice. So we’ve had some damp patches in our hallway, on both internal and external walls and in the dining room on the same wall as the hallway, for around four years now. We’ve had a 4 plasterers and builders come look recently, one of which is certain that it is rising damp by looking at it. All have offered us a solution but we are just unsure which one would be best (for info we are having our first baby in August and would like everything to be finished before then). We live in semi detached 3 bedroom 1920s brick built property which has been done up around 8 years ago, before we moved in. The first company who specialise damp proofing and repairs want to take a few feet of plaster off back to the masonry, DPC the bricks, put on a K 11 slurry then re-plaster the walls. The second company who work in general construction said there is a cheaper method, they want to take the skirting board off drill in and use this DPC cream Dry Zone. They would do that on the internal walls and do the DPC on the external walls. They don’t want to remove any of the plaster. They said using a dehumidifier after that will remove the damp patches in about three months without re-plastering. The third wants to take off the plaster, tank it then re-plaster without any DPC. The fourth wants to take the plaster off and install a damp proof membrane on one side of the hall way and inject a liquid DPC around the outside of the house. My only concern about this is that surely this will only fix the hallway side of the wall and not the living room? I want to know what people think. I am willing to pay what it takes but I don’t want to spend more than I need to. I also don’t want to have something done just for the problem to come back in a few years or cause other problems, although both companies are offering a 10 year guarantee. Plumbing leak has been ruled out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Pictures can be found here https://imgur.com/a/tETgtBE

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5 Answers

MJH Damp Surveyors

Rating: 5 out of 5

Luton

Hi, In a situation like this your best option is to employ a totally Independent Damp Surveyor who will be able to give you a definitive answer.There will be a charge for this service. Hope this helps Mike.

Answered1 June 2020

SPH

Rating: 5 out of 5

Wimbledon, London

I'm no damp proofing expert , but the Dry Zone product looks okay ....you may also want to have a plumbing leak ruled out if you haven't already done so .. Regards SPH

Answered28 May 2020

Owen Preservation

Rating: 5 out of 5

Seaham

You take your life in your hands offering advice on anything you haven't looked at so this comes with a huge caveat. Just injecting the wall with a cream (we all use creams these days and safeguard's is as good as any ) may work but it's not something I would do as it may also have little effect on the already damp plaster. In most cases this plaster has to come off and certainly if anyone is issuing a warranty, and they intend being around (I price against many who last a few years and disappear ) then they wouldn't take the chance. It's easier for a customer to fall for this on the face of it ,easier solution though as of course , no dust and nothing to dry out but it rarely works. The one who said he'd remove the skirts , plaster , inject with a cream , tank if required and replaster using either a tradition sand cement render with two strong water proofers in or a membrane method is IMHO the one you should go for. Yes more work , yes more mess but you do actually need this to work and most of the other quotes you have , are a bit suspect to be kind. Phil Owen

Answered29 May 2020

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

without looking at the issue its impossible to make a diagnoses as there are really to many different things that can cause dampness in a property, walls windows, chimneys, guttering, exterior ground level, roof, ect to name a few, you need to find the source of the water ingress eliminate this and your problem will disappear. good luck Alex

Answered28 May 2020

Masonry maintenance

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Seaham

Without having seen your problem but most companies seem to make sense, personally the 1st company who specialise in this should know how to rectify, although you may be spending more they should guarantee their work. Going for a cheaper quote such as removal of skirting and injecting dryzone, although a great product what about the moisture that’s already in the plaster? It’s been compromised so after it’s dried out I’d be expecting salts to show etc,, go with the guys who do this I’d say, problem solved.

Answered29 May 2020