Advise on botched damp proofing in 19th Century House

I understand your frustration with the extensive damp problem in your 19th-century house. Dealing with botched damp proofing can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can overcome this challenge and restore your home's health. Here's some advice to help you navigate the situation: Investigating the Problem: Thorough inspection: Before bringing in professionals, conduct a thorough visual inspection of the affected walls. Look for cracks, gaps around windows and doors, missing mortar, and any signs of previous damp proofing attempts. Document everything with photos and notes. Understanding the source: Penetrating damp can have various causes, and identifying the source is crucial. Common culprits include faulty guttering and downpipes, blocked drains, leaking roofs, and inadequate ventilation. Talk to your neighbors to see if they've experienced similar issues and if there are any common factors in the surrounding area. Professional survey: While you've mentioned a previous survey, consider getting a fresh one from a reputable damp proofing specialist. They have the expertise and equipment to conduct moisture readings, identify the specific type of damp (rising or penetrating), and pinpoint the exact location of the damage. Reversing the Damage: Removing faulty damp proofing: If the previous attempt was indeed botched, it's essential to remove it completely. This might involve scraping off render, dismantling injected damp courses, or exposing hidden membranes. This step is crucial to avoid further complications and allow proper diagnosis and treatment. Addressing the source: Once the root cause of the damp is identified, it needs to be addressed effectively. This could involve repairing cracks and gaps, improving drainage systems, fixing leaking roofs, or installing proper ventilation. Choosing the right damp proofing: Opt for a sustainable and long-term solution suitable for your 19th-century house. Consider breathable membranes, injected damp courses, or specialist paints depending on the specific type of damp and the building materials. Finding the Right Specialists: Recommendations: Ask your neighbors, local builders, or friends for recommendations of reliable and experienced damp proofing specialists. Look for companies with experience in dealing with historic buildings and traditional materials. Qualifications and accreditations: Ensure the specialists you choose are certified by relevant bodies like the Property Care Association (PCA) or the British Damp Proofing Technical Association (BDPTA). This indicates their knowledge and expertise in tackling damp problems. Quotes and comparisons: Get quotes from multiple specialists and compare their proposed solutions, timelines, and costs. Be transparent about your budget and any specific concerns you have. Remember: Patience is key: Restoring a damp-ridden house takes time and resources. Be patient with the process and follow the recommendations of qualified professionals. Maintaining vigilance: Once the damp problem is addressed, stay vigilant. Regularly check for new signs of dampness, maintain gutters and downpipes, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent future occurrences. Investing in expert advice and the right treatment will not only improve the comfort and livability of your 19th-century home but also safeguard its long-term value. Good luck with the restoration process!

old houses were built differently to modern house , they were kept water tight by the materials used in there construction which allowed the building to breathe, most modern damp proof courses are designed to cover up water ingress by covering it up and trying to seal the walls trapping the moisture inside the structure of the building this is the opposite of what is required, according to the latest which report rising damp is misdiagnosed in over 75% of cases rising to 95% in older properties these dampness investigation being carried out by the damp proof industry, the ex ceo of rics actually said that rising damp is about as rare as rocking horse shit & was slated by the institute of charted surveyors not because what he said was wrong but that he was ruining a multi million pound a year industry. modern materials & old houses do not work well together as they are trying to achieve the opposite of each other, your building is a solid built building built with lime mortar this allows the building to breathe & any moisture in the structure to weep out through the mortar lines when dry outside there are no additives or cement in lime mortar/render/plaster. if how ever it has been repointed. Rendered or plastered with Portland cement or gypsum plaster this will trap moisture in the structure of the building creating dampness , the first thing you need to do is locate were or why there is water ingress & stop it, then you need to allow any moisture trapped in the structure to escape, dampness dissipates at a rough rate of 1 inch per month but is topped up by living conditions & the weather so can prolong the drying period. to understand more about your property & its construction read the heritage property web site, and an other site worth viewing is the rising damp myth while all the materials required to restore your house an still available they are a lot more expensive than there modern day equivalent & finding someone who understand them and how to use them may be your biggest obstacle. it is the wrong time of year to use lime mortar or render as the overnight temperature is to unstable & is more a spring summer job. good luck alex

Hack off all larve and plaster Tank all effected walls with 3x coats slurry and build studwork in-front with no contact with effected walls with sufficient DPC and airflow and insulate board and plaster