Damp Proofing

Returning damp after major works completed following a leak

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.10 PM

Hi, I had a leak which was repaired. I then had the water damage repaired as part of an insurance claim. The plaster was removed about 0.5m high in the living room, flooring removed in the Living room, kitchen, hallway & bathroom, but the bedroom was untouched. The kitchen and bathroom suite was also removed. The Property was dried out, replastered, with new flooring and existing units reinstalled. Around 18 months later the damp returned in the same place, but is now also spread to the bedroom, which is along a gable wall, as is the fully tiled bathroom and living room. I have a hive leak sensor installed which is not showing any leaks. The contractors returned, took readings and samples, which they say has shown the presence of nitrates/chloride? and as such the returning damp is rising damp and not as a result of any inadequate work completed. The loss adjuster who is dealing with this, is merely acting a middle man, passing the messages between myself and the contractor. It’s worth pointing out the contractors used sub-contractors who did some shoddy work which resulted in my complaining, the contractors lying so they didn’t have to return, they getting caught out and having to return to relay the floor in the kitchen, LR & hallway. Damp returned in the hallway within a few months of the work being completed but when the contractors returned they told me it was drying out and would be fine. They’re now telling the insurance company they reported rising damp back then which, simply isn’t true. I’m at a loss. Could someone please shed any light on this? The property is a lower ground floor (basement flat) in a Victorian villa. Thanks for your responses. Yes, the flat appears to be below ground level, you have to step down into the property at the front and up an inside step out to the back garden. The plaster was removed to the brick work and I don’t think any damp proofing was installed before the room was replastered. Should the contractors have done this? Thanks again

MR BUILD

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St Austell

Hi there are a couple of possibilities. When the plaster was taken off was it back to the bare bones. E. G stone, brickwork or block work. Secondly did they use a damp proofing solution called Vandex, Tanking. This a solution that acts as an barrier to prevent rising damp. Thanks Mr Build

Answered18 June 2020

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Anonymous user

We need more information to give an accurate answer, the last comments say this is a basement flat! Does that mean it's below ground? if so the area will need a suitable tanking system installed to combat the problem should it be above ground then it sounds as though the property had not fully dried out and either dpc not correctly installed and remedial plaster could be a contributory issue and needs to be investigated and samples checked Tel

Answered18 June 2020

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THE CENTRE FOR CREATIVE ENTERPRISE LIMITED

Rating: 5 out of 5

5/516 reviews

Nottingham

This work depends on the policy wording and the guarantees for the work in place. Insurers would not be responsible for betterment but contractors would have a duty of care to identify failings in the structure that may lead to the work guarantees being compromised. Contractors are appointed by the insurers so why is this your problem to sort out. The damp is back if this is as a result of new flooding it is a new claim. Sounds to me like the property as a basement flat had inherent weaknesses when it came to high ground water levels and content. I would have thought any reinstatement by insurers would have to comply with current building regs this is therefore something that should be investigated further along with policy wording as a starting point. The fact the work has left you in a worse and more precarious position should give rise to criticism of the insurance company, it's contractors and sub contractors in repudiated breech of the policy and the contract especially as insurance is written In good faith.

Answered18 June 2020

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Anonymous user

It basically all depends on what they replastered with. You say they’ve took it back to brick, you need to put a barrier between the bricks and the finishing plaster now. This could be of vandex tanking as was mentioned above, a cavity drain membrane which would be my preferred choice or a sand and cement with plenty of waterproofer in. By the sounds of how quickly it’s come back and spread they have used a gypsum based backing plaster. This actively pulls the moisture out of the brickwork so the plaster never looks dry. Ask them what they originally used, if it’s bonding, hard wall or any other gypsum based product then there is your problem

Answered4 July 2020

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