A damp disgrace

The Rotter takes some damp related questions for concerned home-owners and offers some advice on the best treatment methods.

Q: In our ground floor flat we have what looks like a black mould growing on the wallpaper in a corner of our front bedroom where the front wall meets the close wall. Is this likely to be rising damp?

A: The black mould you refer to is more commonly associated with condensation rather than rising dampness and can often be cured by raising the internal temperature of the walls by specialised decorative applications and by removing the moisture from source with extractor fans or the installation of domestic dehumidifiers.

Q: Our West End flat has a significant basement that could be converted into living or sleeping quarters however, the walls are noticeably damp. What can be done with reference to the damp that wouldn't cost a fortune?

A: There are specialist air-gap technology wall and floor damp proofing membranes that can be applied and either plastered to direct or that can be strapped and plaster boarded left ready for decoration. Even the most unattractive and damp basement areas can be made into perfectly adequate and comfortable accommodation by means of this technology.

Q: We are looking at purchasing an older flatted property in the Southside area and noted what looked like a damp stain on the lower section of some of the internal partitions which looked like a continuous wavy line some 400mm-500mm above the skirting boards. Am I right in thinking that this could be rising dampness?

A: What you are describing is the classic visual evidence of true rising damp which can be eradicated successfully using modern retro-fit chemical damp-proof course techniques. This may also involve the removal of the wall plaster up to a height of approximately 1 metre above floor level and specialist re-plastering carried out afterwards. These installations are usually the subject of a 30 year guarantee.

Q: Our first floor flat bedroom is showing damp patches on part of the wall above where the old fireplace would have been. Is this likely to be rising dampness?

A: The cause of your damp patches is more likely to be water ingress from an uncapped chimney head finding its way down the disused chimney flue and gathering at a bend in the flue at the point where you are experiencing the damp patch or, alternatively, it could be condensation within an unvented flue again gathering at the point at which you are experiencing the damp patch.

All problems of the type discussed above should be fully investigated by a Specialist Company with Surveyors qualified in the detection and eradication of dampness in buildings. A full property survey should be carried out by a specialist surveyor who is fully qualified under the Property Care Association's guidelines.

To speak to a specialist property surveyor then you can contact Wise Property Care or call 0800 65 22 675.