Help! Damp patches on wall upstairs

[jjjjj]

Thanks for the update.

I've not been able to get hold of David - I may have the wrong number for him - what's the number you have for him?

[kittenheels]

Hi there, the number I've got for David is 07943 804075.

[kittenheels]

Thanks easty_beasty. We've already had the roof checked out and it's fine. Our loft is converted and the water's coming in through the walls at a lower level, around ceiling height on the first floor.

[Davep]

Hi,

We have recently bought a flat in East Dulwich and have similar damp wall issues. I have tried to call David Duggan as recommended here on 07943 804075 but the phone rings just rings then you get a message that the mobile number is not available. so i would be grateful if are in contact with him to ask him if he has a alternative number or email address.

Many thanks.

Dave

[Jeremy]

I guess the pure volume of rain recently means that even small defects are causing very visible damp issues. The good news is that we're forecast a couple of weeks of dry weather now.

[Landy10]

Hi everyone - has anyone managed to get a person to do damp proofing work that doesn't cost a small fortune. I've had a quote from recommendations on here and can honestly not believe the cost! We are doing a lot of work on the house but this quote I received was just wacky! It would be enough to pay a couple of builders for at least a week (more likely 2) to fix a meter of wall!

Thanks all!

[Jeremy]

That really depends what you need doing. But I reckon to strip plaster from one wall and redo with waterproof plaster should be ?600 max.

[Carilondon]

I had the same problem but it's now fixed after using Damp Seal from Polycell!

[PhillyIlly]

Hi Kittenheels

We live in an end of terrace and have exactly the problem you are talking about. The only thing we can put it down to is that the bricks are porous and in this wet weather and if you have poor quality bricks, they just soak up the water. Air circulation and having the heating on helps dry it out but I am currently looking into the paint options jay_p was talking about. Keen to know the outcome.

[lizbells6]

If you google David M. Kinsey and Mike Parrett, they are buildings pathologists who seem to make a lot of sense about damp and damp proofing and re-pointing.

If you waterproof porous bricks, I can't see how they could dry out.

[EPB]

Thanks so much for those names, Lizbell. They're both well worth Googling.

It's so important to diagnose the causes of damp, but the average surveyor or builder is seldom willing or able to do so. They far too often suggest calling in a 'damp specialist' to provide a 'free' consultation - which actually means someone who will try to sell you a very expensive product that will not only be ineffective, but may well do long-term damage to the building.

The real experts will charge for their time and expertise, and may well end up suggesting a solution that will cost a fraction of what the 'damp-pro offers' would have charged.

[KristinH]

interesting posts ... wish they didn't need to be posted :( We have the same problem, 1st floor, whole wall showing signs of damp. It's south facing and this is the first year we've noticed it. The wall was repointed 2 years ago but 1 builder said it couldn't be the pointing as cement wasn't waterproofed 100yrs ago and doesn't need to be waterproofed now (??). Any comments on this?

He thought it was more likely that the bricks had soaked through due to the constant heavy rain against that wall (not cavity). Having checked the attic with bare bricks it does look as though they're damp on the inside.

Builder suggested taking the plaster off, waterproofing the wall and then replastering - help! It's the most finished room in the whole house, gggrrr.

[peachy]

KristinH, we are doing exactly as your builder has suggested. We've had an on-going water ingress above and to the side of the chimney breast which has got steadily worse. We have had 4/5 builders come to have a look but no-one can actually find where the leak is coming from. Our last builder claims to have fixed it but it's still damp. We have now taken off all the plaster and are rendering it and tanking. On top of that, we've now found yet another leak in the other bedroom!

[KristinH]

nightmare - I think the bricks just can't take the constant water pressure. I keep telling myself we're lucky to be living here with relatively minor probs and not be underwater as elsewhere :)Hey ho ....

[AloeIan]

I live in Bexleyheath DA74NN my name is Ian please give me a call on 07941351512

[AloeIan]

I live in Bexleyheath DA74NN have you been able to contact Dave if not give me a ring on 07941351512 My name is Ian

[AloeIan]

I live in Bexleyheath DA74NN my name is Ian call me on 07941351512

[AloeIan]

I live in Bexleyheath Kent DA74NN call me on 07941351512 my name is Ian

[PhillyIlly]

Hi Peachy,

Did you manage to sort out the damp problem. I was going to wait out the summer to dry the bricks out..or am I just putting off the inevitable which is to remove the plaster?

Let me know how you got on and if you recommend the builder.

Thanks

Philly

[Jeremy]

Was wondering if there's any merit in drilling some holes in the plaster to allow the wall to dry out?

[Nunheadfamily]

We are currently having our end of terrace re rendered, wished we had taken action earlier as water has done alot of damage where there were cracks.

[pannika]

Davep Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi,

>

> We have recently bought a flat in East Dulwich and

> have similar damp wall issues. I have tried to

> call David Duggan as recommended here on 07943

> 804075 but the phone rings just rings then you get

> a message that the mobile number is not available.

> so i would be grateful if are in contact with him

> to ask him if he has a alternative number or email

> address.

>

> Many thanks.

>

> Dave

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the entries with great interest, I'm one of the many damp patch sufferers and have tried calling Dave Duggan on the number below, but with no response/success. Would anyone have a new number for him, an email address, or alternatively any further recommendations on a good damp specialist?

Many thank,

Panni

[KidKruger]

"Was wondering if there's any merit in drilling some holes in the plaster to allow the wall to dry out?"

Not really, if anything just remove the plaster to help moisture escape.

[Jeremy]

KidKruger Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Not really, if anything just remove the plaster to help moisture escape.

Hack of the plaster - big messy job

Get the wall replasterd - big messy expensive job

[MisterF]

Whatever you do, DON'T use Bryhill Technical Services. Dealing with them has been a nightmare that has dragged on and on and on.

As, i suspect, with most Damp Proofing Companies, if they can't hack off plaster, inject chemical proofing and replaster at great expense then it's beyond them. You're far better off spending money on an independent expert damp surveyor to look at the problem, then go from there.

I'd recommend Paul Larter at West12. He inspected a property we were due to buy following some mentions of damp in the survey and offered understandable, practical advice.

http://www.westtwelvesurveying.co.uk