Damp FAQ

I got in touch with an independent specialist from the list on the web site and had a new damp and timber report. He said that I didn't need to inject the walls or take up the floor. I was over the moon! The report cost me a bit but has saved my thousands in work I would have done. I would definitely recommend having a report done by an independent specialist for anyone who has a property with damp problems, particularly if it is a period property.

Rebecca said:

I got in touch with an independent specialist from the list on the web site and had a new damp and timber report. He said that I didn't need to inject the walls or take up the floor. I was over the moon! The report cost me a bit but has saved my thousands in work I would have done. I would definitely recommend having a report done by an independent specialist for anyone who has a property with damp problems, particularly if it is a period property.

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Hi there - can someone point me to the list of independent specialists please. We have damp issues and the local builders all have an answer which we no longer trust!!! Help! :?:

See SEEKING SPECIALISTS on this site. Or contact SPAB.

Where are you?

Nemesis said:

See SEEKING SPECIALISTS on this site. Or contact SPAB.

Where are you?

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In Reading, berkshire.

What am i looking for? A specialist who can come see and offer advice etc.

Several of those on the PPUK Seeking Specialists list will travel and the SPAB, as I said, will give you names also.

What you don't need is a man with a van and a damp meter, who will only tell you the answer is chemical injection and hey, we will provide!

Look at the websites of specialists, it will tell you a great deal about their approach.

Statements such as:

Our philosophy is to avoid the expensive damage caused by unnecessary or incautious remedial treatments, and thus to reduce both the loss of historic materials and the quantities of hazardous chemicals introduced into the environment.

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on the Ridouts site, for example, are a fairly reliable guide.

Another approach may be to contact a RICS surveyor with conservation expertise, depending on the nature of the problem.

Useful information (and some horror pics):


http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/informguide-damp.pdf#xml=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/texis/webinator/pubssearch/pdfhi.txt?pr=publications&prox=page&rorder=500&rprox=500&rdfreq=500&rwfreq=500&rlead=500&rdepth=0&sufs=0&order=r&id=47eb81ba20

Hi there, I am new to the Forum and considering buying a Regency Property built 1829. The guttering and roof was damaged and rain water was running down one of the walls. The guttering and roof and since been repaired however the upstairs wall and downstaies wall on sight does not look good at all. When viewing the property the dmage is about two feet across and in the downstairs room,the plaster crumbles away at the sightest touch.

1. Do you think this is an expensive job to get repaired.
2. The property is grade 2 listed ( Will i need any permissions to get it fixed ?

Really appreciate your help......

My Niece said that she had damp in her "end" bedroom. On examination the black mouldy spot, exactly coincided with the bedhead/mattress placed up against an outside wall. Have seen this in my Parents house. Both properties modern (1970s) and absolutely no damp anywhere else.

What we want is some sort of structure to be put between the bedframe/mattress and the wall that allows air circulation ( 2" thick?) and stops the bed touching the wall. Any ideas?
Frank

A useful page on damp: http://www.heritage-house.org/damp.html

Old link is gone. New one is here: http://www.heritage-house.org/pages/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

Very much a recommended read.